The DKE standardization work is carried out by its nine divisions - grouped according to subject matter. Within a detailed structure, subjects are assigned to the technical activities in the divisions. The DKE bodies (committees, subcommittees and working groups) with their technical experts are generally counterparts to the IEC, CENELEC and ETSI bodies.
IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is the international organization for the preparation of safety standards and other standards in the area of electrical engineering. International orientation on the focus of its activities is a stated objective of electrotechnical standardization. Considerably more than 50 % of the production of the German electrotechnical industry is exported - international standardization is, therefore, a basis for economic success.
CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) is involved with the conversion of IEC standardization results into European Standards; almost 85 % of the European Standards are based on IEC work results or are identical with them. In addition, CENELEC prepares its own European Standards - focused on European requirements. Furthermore, CENELEC has the task to establish a link between standardization and legislation - for the benefit of consumers and industry.
ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) is responsible for the preparation of standards for an integrated European telecommunications infrastructure; this also includes subjects of related areas, such as radiocommunication and information technology.
For each of the nine divisions, the DKE Council (LA) nominates a divisional chairman (FBV) from among its members. The FBV is also a member of the Technical Advisory Board International and National Coordination (TBINK) and has the task, among others, to represent his division within LA and TBINK, and to coordinate the work of the technical bodies within his division, or with the work of other bodies. In addition, the FBV is responsible to ensure that technical experts of the concerned associations are adequately represented in the relevant standardization work, and he confirms the composition of the national technical bodies, with balanced participation of concerned associations.
The committees and subcommittees elect a chairman among their members who is responsible for the technical work. Furthermore, they each nominate one German delegate who represents the interests of the National Committee (DK-IEC and DK-CLC) in the international and European technical bodies of IEC and CENELEC.
The committees and subcommittees with their technical experts are assisted by full-time technical managers standards from the DKE business organization. One of their main tasks is to ensure the smooth performance of standardization work oriented on international and regional work. In particular, this includes the preparation of meetings, reporting, coordination with other subjects, support of international and regional work and editing of draft standards and standards. The technical managers standards are assigned to the responsible heads of division within the individual divisions.
The heads of division are charged with controlling and steering functions within their responsibility: In accordance with binding agreements with European and international standardization organizations and - if applicable - National and European legislation, standardization projects must comply with strict regulations, for example meeting the "dop" date for the latest national implementation date of a European standard (EN). In addition, they have superordinate coordination tasks in the areas of standardization methods and policy.
International, regional and purely national standardization work - the latter has by now dropped to a share of about 5 % in favour of international standardization - is generally initiated by a proposal for standards work from the public, concerned association or the committees and/or subcommittees. After confirmation of standardization eligibility, a proposal for a standard to be developed is prepared. This proposal is submitted for comments to the public as a draft standard and forwarded for further discussion either to the international or regional bodies. The standard resulting from a positive vote is included in the German collection of standards and - if electrotechnical safety standards are involved - also in the VDE Specifications Code of safety standards.
DIN standards with VDE classification contain safety regulations to avoid dangers to humans, animals and property. It is assumed that these standards containing safety provisions are "acknowledged rules of technology". These standards are a measure for proper technical behaviour. This measure is also of importance in juridical matters.
The rules for the standardization work of the DKE are set forth in the standards series DIN 820 "Standardization" and in the principles for standardization work of the DKE - Basic Rules DKE-GN ("blue folder") - as well as in the CENELEC and IEC rules.