In early 2023, the IEC Standardization Management Board (SMB) established Standardization Evaluation Group 14 (SEG 14) on quantum technologies. SEG 14 was charged with investigating needs for standardization in quantum technologies, evaluating technical capabilities and applications, investigating current research and technology activities, and proposing a roadmap for standardization in the field.
According to its terms of reference, SEG 14 was also tasked with engaging with existing technical committees and subcommittees, including JTC 1, as well as with ISO and other market- and policy-relevant organizations. The group was expected to produce a standards roadmap document by October 2023.
SEG 14’s work informed a subsequent proposal by the British Standards Institution (BSI) for IEC and ISO to create a new Joint Technical Committee dedicated to quantum technologies. The evaluation group recommended that quantum technology standards development be pursued in an integrated fashion, with an extensive systems integration function to avoid duplication of effort.