Environment is an interdisciplinary topic, therefore, most CEN and CENELEC sectors deal with environmental issues. CEN and CENELEC have in place an organizational structure to respond to the challenges posed by the developments within the various sectors as well as by the evolution of the legislation within the European Community.
CEN-CENELEC Strategic Advisory Body on Environment (SABE)
CEN and CENELEC set up the CEN and CENELEC Strategic Advisory Body on Environment (SABE) to deal with the strategic issues related to the protection of the environment and climate change and to respond to the challenges posed by the developments within the various sectors as well as by the evolution of the legislation within the European Union. SABE is the strategic advisory body on environment to the CEN and CENELEC Technical Boards (BTs).
The main tasks of SABE are:
- Providing strategic advice for the CEN and CENELEC BTs on environmental matters and identifying future relevant topics
- Promoting standardization within the European Environmental Policy Framework
- Facilitating Information exchange among key stakeholders,
- Supporting Technical Committees in addressing environmental related issues in the standardization works
SABE Organization
In order to carry out its tasks, SABE has defined the following working structure. SABE consists of Horizontal Teams for issues which are universally applicable in the field of environment:
- Strategic issues: Environmental Monitoring Strategy Team (ENV)
- Products and services: Environmental Issues in Standardization (ENIS)
- Environmental Management: Environmental Management Team (EMT)
These Environmental Teams are responsible for defined tasks. The Teams can also have an advisory function to other CEN or CENELEC bodies within the mandate from SABE.
In addition, SABE has Topic Groups to coordinate ongoing or initiate new work on a specific subject in the environmental field.
ENV - Environmental Monitoring Strategy Team
Focus: Standardization needs in environmental measurements and monitoring.
ENV supports SABE in its advisory role in the field of monitoring and measurement systems by organizing strategic discussions, such as on how European measurement and monitoring standards can support European environmental policy.
The main tasks of ENV are to:
- anticipate at an early stage the standardization needs or demands;
- facilitate exchanges between science, industry and policy communities in order to encourage more rapid uptake of the innovative research results (better methods, new technologies, innovative monitoring strategies etc.) in standards;
- ensure a better understanding of the demands of industry and end-users who have to fulfil environmental requirements;
- improve networking with relevant stakeholders dealing with different environmental media, with a view to strengthen harmonization of standardization activities in support of air, water, waste, sludge and soil (enhancer) policies;
- promote the use of European environmental standards.
ENIS - Environmental Issues in Standardization
Focus: Support in the inclusion of Environmental aspects in standards and strategic communication.
ENIS assists SABE in its advisory role by preparing draft positions on:
- EU environmental policy regarding environmental aspects in product standards (monitoring, analyzing impacts on standardization, proposals for implementation into the CEN and CENELEC work flows);
- Mandates from the EC regarding subjects within its scope, and subsequent follow-up.
- Moreover, SABE has delegated the following tasks to ENIS:
- Regularly review the activities of the CEN Environmental Helpdesk (EHD) and assist the EHD with several tasks;
- Assist the development, maintenance and, if necessary, the revision of various environmental supporting tools, e.g. the CEN Guide 4, CEN Environmental Sector Guides;
- Keep close contact, collaborate and exchange knowledge with national focal points and/or national groups dealing with the inclusion of environmental aspects into standards;
- Assist in the development of a training programme on standardization for environmental experts as well as environmental training for standardization experts;
- Review the systematic integration of environmental aspects in non-mandated product standards;
- Propose public relation activities and subsequent follow-up.
EMT - Environmental Management Team
Focus: monitor and consider issues in the following areas related to the environmental aspects of environmental management, aligned with the scope of ISO/TC207: Management (systems &tools), environmental reporting, and verification of environmental impact, including Circular Economy (ISO/TC 323):
- Environmental Management (ISO 14000-series and EMAS)
- Energy Management
- Social Responsibility
- Integrated use of Management Systems
The EMT has the tasks to:
- Assist SABE in developing a consistent CEN Environmental Tools and Management Strategy and revise whenever appropriate;
- Follow-up on European Environmental Policy: Monitor important developments in European policy concerning standardization and environmental management;
- Analyze the impacts on European standardization;
- Propose to SABE how to implement these policies into the CEN and CENELEC work flow.
- Assist and comment on the elaboration and follow-up of mandates from the EC to CEN and CENELEC concerning environmental management relevant standardization;
- Assist the development, maintenance and if necessary the revision of other CEN and CENELEC supporting tools within the scope;
- Provide support to SABE for public relation activities regarding areas within the scope.
- Follow-up the development and advise on the adoption of international standards as European standards
- Monitor the progress of the Adaptation to Climate Change Co-ordination Group (ACC CG) and the ISO TC 207 SC7 work on climate change to make sure there is no duplication of work.
CE-TG - Circular Economy Topic Group
Focus: Advise on and coordinate all CEN and CENELEC standardization activities related to Circular Economy (CE). The main tasks of the CE-TG include:
- Mapping of CEN and CENELEC bodies, standards, ongoing activities and programs of work in support of the transition towards a circular economy and keeping this information up-to date;
- Identify and prioritize CE-related cross sectorial issues related to (inter)national strategic developments/initiatives/best practices/technologies;
- Follow-up relevant standardization work in ISO and IEC, to avoid overlaps and identify common solutions;
- Support SABE in advising CEN and CENELEC BT’s and in giving input for the EC AUWP;
- Propose standardization needs and review incoming CE-related standardization requests from the EC;
- Liaise with relevant CEN and CENELEC TC’s and/or working groups and facilitate the exchange of information between these groups to promote a mutual understanding of current standardization issues in the field of circular economy;
- Keep a good overview of all CE-related initiatives and exchanges across CEN and CENELEC.
