Code Change Summary: Informative Annex L is added to the 2026 NEC^® to present the proposed organizational structure planned for use in the 2029 edition.

SME commentary: Informative Annex L was introduced in the 2026 NEC^® to present the proposed organizational structure for the 2029 edition of the Code. This annex is informational only and does not contain enforceable requirements. Its purpose is to provide visibility into the long-term structural direction being evaluated by the NEC^® Correlating Committee and to help users understand how current organizational changes fit into a broader modernization effort.

The NEC^® Correlating Committee has identified that the traditional structure of the Code, while successful for many decades, has become increasingly difficult to navigate as electrical systems grow more complex. Modern installations now commonly include distributed energy resources, bidirectional power flow, advanced energy storage systems, limited-energy circuits, and integrated control technologies. These systems do not always align cleanly with the historical chapter and article layout that was originally developed around single-source, unidirectional power distribution.

Annex L contains Table L.1 which illustrates how chapters and articles may be reorganized in the 2029 NEC^® to improve usability, clarity, and consistency across the document. The proposed structure places greater emphasis on grouping requirements by system function and voltage class rather than by legacy installation categories. This approach is intended to reduce fragmentation, minimize cross-referencing, and make it easier for installers, inspectors, engineers, and educators to locate and apply applicable requirements.

The annex also provides context for the structural changes already implemented in the 2026 NEC^®. Relocation of load calculation requirements, energy management and power control provisions, limited-energy systems, and medium-voltage rules are reflected in the proposed 2029 framework. By reviewing Annex L, users can better understand how these changes are not isolated revisions, but part of a coordinated effort to modernize the Code’s overall organization while preserving the technical intent of existing requirements.

The proposed organization shown in Annex L was approved for public review in January 2025. Its inclusion allows stakeholders to evaluate the direction of the Code’s structure, provide feedback, and prepare for potential future changes. While the final organization of the 2029 NEC^® has not yet been adopted, Annex L serves as an important reference that explains the rationale behind recent restructuring and highlights how the NEC^® is adapting to the evolving electrical landscape.