IEC and ISO launch new joint technical committee on quantum technologies

Geneva, 11 January 2024 – The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) today announced the establishment of a joint technical committee on quantum technologies, ISO/IEC JTC 3, Quantum technologies.

Quantum technologies have immense potential to address today’s global challenges, so it is crucial to build a solid foundation for collaboration. International Standards play a pivotal role in laying an essential common ground to accelerate the development and adoption of quantum advancements in various industries and applications.

“Catalysing the quantum revolution requires a shared language. Standards provide the framework to turn diverse quantum efforts into a unified force, driving progress, ensuring reliability, and paving the way for a quantum future that is secure, interoperable and globally accessible,” says Sergio Mujica, ISO Secretary-General.

“While standards are already being developed for some aspects of quantum technologies, there is a pressing need to have a coordinated international approach to streamline technical contributions and maximize their impact, ensuring greater coherence in the market,” explains Philippe Metzger, IEC Secretary-General and CEO.

The scope of this new ISO/IEC joint technical committee is to develop standards in the field of quantum technologies, and more particularly quantum computing, quantum simulation, quantum sources, quantum metrology, quantum detectors and quantum communications. South Korea will assume the Chair position. The British Standards Institution (BSI), the IEC and ISO member for the United Kingdom, will hold the Secretariat.

“Quantum technologies can unlock solutions to address the greatest societal challenges. As the secretariat, BSI is looking forward to bringing our wealth of expertise in committee management to this, and we are committed to leading and driving the development of International Standards to guide the evolution and integration of quantum technologies, fostering innovation for the benefit of industries and society globally,” says Scott Steedman, Director General, Standards, BSI, Secretariat of ISO/IEC JTC 3, Quantum technologies.

Quantum technology is the second generation of technologies that harness the power of quantum mechanics to create advanced tools and devices that promise to revolutionize how we solve complex problems and secure information across a range of sectors, including information technology, communications, healthcare, energy, trade, sustainability, education and research, ushering in a new era of technological progress while driving rapid financial growth.

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