The Code- Making Process

1. The Code-Making Process National Electrical Contractors Association

2. Call for Proposals • Proposals are received to amend the National Electrical Code • There is a deadline date for submitting proposals (November 7, 2008) • This deadline usually falls in the first week of November in the year before the first meeting in the process (ROP meeting in January)

3. ROP Meeting • ROP Meeting dates [January 11-24, 2009] • A copy of the proposals is sent to each respective technical committee member • Usually is received within 1-2 months of the first CMP meeting in the process • Code-making panels meet to act on public and panel proposals

4. Meeting Vote and Ballot • Each Principal member votes at the meeting and proposals require simple majority to move forward. • Each member of the panel votes on proposals by a letter ballot [2/3 majority required]. • Explanations for any votes other than “Accept” are circulated to the panel members

5. TCC Review • The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) receives the reports from the Code-making panels • Full review of the CMP actions and statements • TCC develops recommendations and directives for CMPs

6. Report on Proposals • A Report on Proposals (ROP) is then published and made available for public review and comment. • The ROP provides the proposal, submitter, section or article, Panel action and statement, and voting information.

7. Comments on Proposals • Comments on the Code proposals are then received by NFPA with a deadline for submitting comments [October 23, 2009] • The Comments are then sent to the respective CMP representatives

8. ROC Meeting • The Code-making panels then meet (ROC meeting) to act on all comments received • ROC Meeting [December 1-14, 2009]

9. Vote on Comments • The Code-making panels act on comments and vote at the ROC Meeting [simple majority] • The Code-making panels vote on the comments by letter ballot [2/3 majority required] • Explanations for “Negative,” “Abstaining,” or “Affirmative” votes are circulated to the panel members

10. Report on Comments • The Report on Comments (ROC) is then published and made available to the public

11. NFPA Annual Meeting • NFPA members meet at the annual meeting and act on the ROP and the ROC • Amendments to the ROP and ROC can be made by submitting a notice of intent to make a motion (NITMAM). • The accepted ITMAMs will be posted roughly one month prior to the NFPA annual meeting.

12. CMP Vote on Amendments • The Code-making panels then vote on any amendments to the report that were approved at the NFPA annual meeting • The TCC reviews the amendments and sends the document to the NFPA Standards Council • Standards Council acts on the submittal of the NEC by the TCC.

13. Appeals • Appeals can be made to the NFPA Standards Council for 20 days following the annual meeting. • The NFPA Standards Council reviews all evidence and decides the outcome of any outstanding appeals

14. The New NEC • The next edition of the National Electrical Code is published

15. The Code-Making Process International Association of Electrical Inspectors