JTC (Joint Technical Committee (ISO/IEC))

Last updated on Apr 22, 2023

The Joint Technical Committee (JTC) is a body created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The JTC is responsible for developing and maintaining joint ISO/IEC standards that address technical areas of mutual interest to both organizations.

The ISO and IEC are two international standards organizations that have been working together for many years. ISO is responsible for developing and promoting international standards for all types of products, services, and systems. IEC, on the other hand, is responsible for developing and promoting international standards for all types of electrical, electronic, and related technologies.

The JTC was established in 1987 as a means of coordinating the efforts of ISO and IEC in the development of international standards. The committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of joint ISO/IEC standards that relate to a wide range of technical areas, including information technology, telecommunications, and electronics.

The JTC is made up of representatives from both ISO and IEC. The committee is responsible for developing joint standards that meet the needs of both organizations, while also taking into account the needs of other stakeholders, including industry, government, and consumers.

One of the key objectives of the JTC is to develop standards that promote interoperability and compatibility between different technologies and products. This is important because it enables products from different manufacturers to work together seamlessly, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

Another objective of the JTC is to ensure that international standards are developed in a timely and efficient manner. The committee works closely with experts from around the world to develop standards that are based on the latest technical knowledge and that take into account the needs of all stakeholders.

The JTC has developed a number of standards that are widely used in industry, including the ISO/IEC 27001 standard for information security management, the ISO/IEC 11801 standard for structured cabling, and the ISO/IEC 27002 standard for information security management.

In addition to developing joint standards, the JTC is also responsible for coordinating the work of ISO and IEC in areas of mutual interest. This includes sharing information about new technologies and emerging trends, and working together to develop strategies for addressing emerging challenges.

Overall, the JTC plays a critical role in the development of international standards that promote interoperability, compatibility, and efficiency in a wide range of technical areas. By bringing together experts from both ISO and IEC, the committee is able to develop standards that reflect the latest technical knowledge and that meet the needs of all stakeholders.

The JTC is structured into a number of subcommittees (SCs), each focused on a specific technical area. These SCs are responsible for developing the technical content of the joint ISO/IEC standards, as well as for coordinating with other relevant standards organizations and industry groups.

One example of an SC is SC 29, which is responsible for the development of standards related to multimedia and hypermedia information coding, representation, and transmission. This includes standards related to audio and video coding, as well as standards for the interoperability of multimedia systems.

Another example is SC 38, which is responsible for the development of standards related to cloud computing and distributed platforms. This includes standards for cloud computing architectures, security, and service-level agreements.

The JTC also works closely with other standards organizations, such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to ensure that joint ISO/IEC standards are aligned with other international standards and best practices.

The process for developing joint ISO/IEC standards begins with the identification of a need for a new or revised standard in a particular technical area. This can be initiated by any interested party, including ISO and IEC member organizations, industry groups, or government agencies.

Once a need has been identified, the relevant SC is responsible for developing a draft standard. This involves gathering input from technical experts, as well as from other stakeholders, to ensure that the standard meets the needs of all interested parties.

The draft standard is then reviewed by the JTC, which provides feedback and guidance on any necessary revisions. Once the JTC is satisfied with the draft standard, it is published for public comment.

During the public comment period, anyone with an interest in the standard can provide feedback and suggestions. This feedback is carefully considered by the SC and JTC, and any necessary revisions are made to the standard.

Once the standard has been finalized, it is published as a joint ISO/IEC standard. This standard is then made available for adoption by ISO and IEC member organizations, as well as by other interested parties around the world.