The rapid development of new technologies in telecommunications, electric power transmission and distribution, and electric railway systems has made the earlier issue of the Directives (1960 edition) out-of-date and this former issue is therefore being replaced completely.

The present Directives supersede the 1963 edition approved by the 2nd Plenary Assembly of CCITT in New Delhi 1960. The 1963 Directives were amended in 1965, 1974, 1978 and 1982. They provided a comprehensive description of electromagnetic effects due to the close proximity of telecommunication lines to power and electrified railway systems, containing regularly updated findings in this field and reflecting the current state of the art.