Aims and Objectives
The EPSMA was formed to provide a much-needed forum for discussing and progressing issues of common concern to the power supply industry, for the benefit of power supply manufacturers, users and component suppliers alike. The association has six key areas of activity:
● Regulatory and standards issues.
● Tariffs and barriers to trade.
● Links between the industry and further education.
● Benchmarking and continual improvement.
● Marketing of the European industry.
● Liaison with other industry organisations.
The first area is of particular importance. The EPSMA aims to provide members with information regarding the provisions and proposals of the European Commission and the US Department of Energy with particular reference to the harmonisation of laws, and other regulatory issues and standards affecting the power supply industry. It also aims to be an effective lobbying group during the formation and introduction of new legislation within the EU. This activity is supported by the formation of an EPSMA Technical Committee in 2001, and the Co-Operation Agreement signed between EPSMA and the European Electrotechnical Standards Organization (CENELEC) in January 2002.
Mission Statement of the EPSMA
According to our formation contract the EPSMA mission statement is:
- to assist in the development of the Services through the use of the market research and customer development in a manner permitted by the Members' national laws and to market and publicise the European Power Supply Industry;
- to provide the Members and Associates with information regarding the provisions and proposals of the European Commission and other legislative authorities (e.g Great Britain, United Sates of America, China) with particular reference to the harmonisation of laws, and other regulatory issues and standards affecting the Services and the European Power Supply Industry;
- to provide a forum that can discuss and progress issues of common importance to the Members and Associates;
- to provide and promote educational and vocational training standards and links with the European Power Supply Industry;
- to do such other things as are in the opinion of the Members incidental or conducive to sub clauses above;
- to allow each Member to include on its business and promotional materials an indication that it is a member of the Grouping in a manner permitted by that Member’s national laws.
Structure of the EPSMA
The EPSMA is run by a Management Committee (MC) of around 10 companies that are elected on an annual basis by the full membership. The MC directs the activities of a Technical Committee (TC) which is chaired by an external consultant. The TC works on a wide range of technical projects that are beneficial to the power supply industry. Any member can sit on the TC and can contribute to individual projects where they have a particular interest or expertise.
Current EPSMA Activities
The EPSMA is currently active in a number of key areas of benefit to its members and the European power supply industry as a whole. The main areas are as follows:
Safety – The association has published a number of guidance papers on safety in hazardous applications, medical applications, railway applications, telecom applications and DIN-rail power supplies. These papers are available to members free of charge, but can be purchased by non-members.
Energy Efficiency - The EPSMA tracks what is happening with regard to efficiency standards, regulations and incentives around the world. A TC project group also maintains an Excel database which reports on efficiency regulations for external power supplies and battery chargers. This is available to members only. The TC has also generated an important document on 'Accuracy Efficiency measurements'.
Lead-free Soldering – Concerns and Practices – A new report which provides guidance to power supply companies and their customers on some of the problems experienced when using lead-free soldering processes.
BMPS Guidelines – A joint project with the High Density Packaging User Group (HDPUG) and the PSMA in the US. Aims to become the de-facto reference document for anyone designing in board-mounted power supply products. Second edition released Summer 2010. EPSMA members get a 50% discount.
Emerging Technologies – The EPSMA keeps a watching brief on emerging technologies in the power electronics area such as renewables, electric vehicles, electronic lighting, and new semiconductor technologies. In recent years members have benefited from insightful presentations on photovoltaics (PV), silicon carbide and GAN.
Ensuring Good Service from Safety/Testing Organisations - Cooperation with testing bodies to ensure improved service levels for member companies.
Many other activities are also tackled by the organisation including regular reviews of legislation such as RoHS, WEEE, Eco-Design and Eco-Label, reports on CE Marking and PFC, and developing closer relations with universities specialising in power electronics around Europe.
Role of the Technical Committee
Founded in 2001, the EPSMA Technical Committee (TC) brings together the expertise of Europe’s leading power supply designers. The main aims of the TC are:
To monitor new standards and technical industry events that may influence the design of power supplies, and alert the EPSMA Management Committee.
To offer technical advice and guidance to the Management Committee.
To undertake technical investigations and projects.
To act as the interface between the EPSMA and other organisations and industry bodies on technical issues.
Since its formation, the EPSMA has always been active in monitoring technical trends and standards that affect power supplies, producing numerous technical guidance documents for the benefit of its members and their customers. The EPSMA Technical Committee has enabled the organisation to focus and expand these “monitoring activities”. In addition it enables the EPSMA to take a more pro-active role in the discussions and working groups which lead to the formation of standards, helping to ensure that the interests and opinions of the power supply community are considered when new standards are discussed and agreed.
To further these aims, the EPSMA has forged a number of strategic links with other industry bodies:
In January 2002, the EPSMA signed a Cooperation agreement with CENELEC, the European Electrotechnical Standardisation Organisation. The agreement enables the EPSMA and its members to directly monitor and contribute to discussions that influence European and international standards.
In October 2003, EPSMA TC representatives were elected to the Board Mounted Power Supply (BMPS) Reference Group of the High Density Packaging User Group Organisation, which is engaged in international standards relating to lead-free electronics.
EPSMA Technical Committee representatives contribute technical papers for the annual PCIM Conference.
The EPSMA has a long-standing relationship with the American PSMA, and co-operates where necessary on a range of international technical issues relating to power supplies.
The EPSMA and its Technical Committee produce a range of papers, guidance documents and other publications. Whilst some of these are available to EPSMA members only, many can be ordered or downloaded free of charge from this web site. For further information, please visit the Publications page.
Go to EPSMA Publications