The IEEE Conformity Assessment Programme (ICAP), a joint initiative of the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) and IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization (IEEE-ISTO), has announced a series of improvements and continued development of its IEEE 1588 Telecommunications Certification Programme. The programme replaces and is expected to build upon the work of the IEEE 1588 Conformity Alliance, a programme of ICAP. The changes are designed to increase industry and test lab participation for a conformity assessment initiative in support of the ITU-T G.8265.1 (IEEE 1588 Telecom Profile).
Under the new construct, the IEEE 1588 Telecommunications Certification Programme will be composed of a Steering Committee and a Technical Committee of Experts. Membership fees will not be assessed to participate in either committee. Fees associated with the programme will be aligned with the products submitted for certification.
ICAP, in its role as Certification Authority, will manage the programme and all marketing activities. The Steering Committee and Technical Committee of Experts will assist ICAP during the ongoing development and launch of the programme. Timing and availability of the Certification Programme has been targeted within Q1 2013.
ICAP will establish the programme policies, manage the day-to-day activities of the programme, authorise test labs, establish and license a certification mark, issue the Certification of Compliance, and maintain the certified product registry. ICAP Authorized Test Labs will conduct the testing in accordance with a defined test plan and procedures.
ICAP will issue a public call for participants at the upcoming 2012 International IEEE Symposium on Precision Clock Synchronization for Measurement, Control and Communication (ISPCS), September 26-28, 2012 in San Francisco. The call for participants will extend invitations to Test Laboratories and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to participate in the IEEE 1588 Telecommunications Certification Programme.
