Greetings, fellow adventurers! We’ve just returned from a magical week in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where the IECEE held its annual Certification Management Committee (CMC) meeting. Hosted by the gracious Slovenian member body, SIQ, this gathering was a blend of productive meetings and memorable experiences. JASANZ extends heartfelt thanks to SIQ for their warm hospitality and the incredible opportunity for delegates to connect outside the official CMC sessions.

The week was a whirlwind of fun and discovery! A scenic trip to the breathtaking Lake Bled, complete with mouthwatering treats like the famous Bled cream cake, delectable potica. (Trust us, it was as delicious as it sounds!)

Picture this: a bunch of buttoned-up professionals turned loose in the wilderness, trying not to fall into the lake while taking selfies.

The CMC meeting itself was a hive of activity. Our new Chairman, Simon Barrowcliff, kicked things off with a nod to Shakespeare, quoting “Brevity is the soul of wit,” before diving into the agenda. We were also graced with insights from Steve Margis, the IEC CAB Chair, who updated us on the latest from the CAB meeting in June. His thoughtful presentation highlighted the CAB’s proactive strides in engaging key stakeholders like CASCO and IAF.

One hot topic was Australian government’s recent change in the Customer Testing Facility (CTF) acceptance policy, which stirred some debate. Thanks to Matt Toohey from Australia’s NCB for addressing the concerns raised by the US member body. It’s clear that Australia’s diverse electrical regulations reflect its unique landscape, and we’re working on providing further clarity to the IECEE Secretariat and member bodies. Stay tuned for updates on the IECEE website!

Innovation was a key theme, with the CMC exploring AI opportunities and forming a dedicated task force on the issue. The lively discussion on the Long Term Sustainability (LTS) of the IEC sparked some wild and enthusiastic exchanges, leading to specific tasks assigned to WG18. Other agenda items covered included cybersecurity, industry best practices, and the development of a new personnel competency scheme based on the IECEx model.

The Slovenian sunshine and the camaraderie with our IECEE colleagues made the travel absolutely worth it. We’re grateful for the chance to engage, respond to international feedback, and soak up the beautiful culture of Slovenia.

Here’s to many more adventures and productive meetings ahead! 🌞🛤️🍰