When it comes to electrical engineering, electronics and information technology, the DKE is responsible for elaborating all standards and specifications. The standardization tasks are divided according to topics into nine divisions. The Standardization Division pools all standardization activities going over and beyond the standardization work that is carried out in the existing standardization bodies, thus supporting the nine divisions already in the preliminary aspects of standardization.

 The primary objective is to detect and take up new trends in need of standardization emerging from research and development and from highly innovative fields of technology. Prompt implementation of the resulting findings is necessary to promote and accelerate the transfer of know-how and technology between all those who are involved, and to permit the efficient use of resources (e.g. technical experts, information and workflows). Here standardization makes a valuable contribution by providing specifications (guidelines and VDE application guides) that are drawn up in an structured manner according to defined rules.

In this way, support is provided not only for the nine divisions of the DKE but also for the technical societies of the VDE through publication of specifications by the central Standardization Division.

 The main services provided by the Standardization Division are as follows:

• Elaborating standards which will be converted into consensus-based standards at a later date by involving all interested parties and the general public.
• Consulting and the provision of services and infrastructures for standardization work, e.g. selecting the appropriate publication form.
• INS projects (Innovation with Norms and Standards funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology [BMWi]) are intended to facilitate the transfer of standardization into science, with corresponding suggestion, initiation and coordination.
• Involvement as project partner or coordinator in research and development projects receiving public funds, for example in elaborating and submitting research applications.
• Support in bringing standards onto a national, European or international level.

Advantages of standards and specifications:

• They define uniform interfaces to guarantee the interchangeability and interaction of different components.
• They stipulate minimum safety requirements, thus guaranteeing the safety of electronic products and installations.
• They are constantly being updated to the changing environment (standstill is regression).
• They allow a comparison between service offers.
• They do not benefit individuals (manufacturer-neutral).
• They act as a neutral benchmark for services and offers from different manufacturers or providers (this can also have legal relevance).
• They enhance the position of the user vis-à-vis the provider.
• They harmonise communication between employer and employee.
• They define stipulated services at appropriate, acknowledged conditions.
• Their widespread use improves the market position compared to many incompatible individual solutions.
• They generate an improvement in quality.
• European and international standardization promotes the dismantling of trade barriers.