This paper presents the standardization work which is performed in the framework of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in the Technical Committee 77 and in CISPR. The introduction of the EMC Directive for products put on the European market is also discussed. The paper defines also basic, generic and product standards. As EMC concerns many products, TC77 has a horizontal function and to achieve it, IEC Guide 107 has been developed. The coordination work on EMC in all Technical Committees performed by the Advisory Committee on EMC (ACEC) is also discussed together with future trends in trade and their impact on the EMC aspect of manufacturing products