The European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), was created in 1973 as a result of the merger of two previous European organizations: CENELCOM and CENEL. CENELEC is a non-profit technical organization set up under Belgian law and composed of the National Electrotechnical Committees of 31 European countries. In addition, 11 National Committees from neighboring countries are participating in CENELEC work with an Affiliate status.