As a result of a wide-ranging reflection on the future of European Standardization, on 2 February 2022 the European Commission presented the new European Standardization Strategy. The overall objective of the Strategy is to respond to the need for Europe to strengthen the strategic role standards play in the Single and the Global Market.
As part of the European Standardization Package, the Commission presented a proposal for an amendment to Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 – which sets the principles for how the European Standardization Organizations (ESOs) support European legislation – and subjected it to a consultation process to receive input from interested stakeholders. In particular, the proposed amendment concerns the decisions of ESOs concerning European standards and European standardization deliverables.
Given the relevance of the topic and their commitment to contribute to the reflection on the future of the European Standardization System (ESS), CEN and CENELEC, as two of the officially recognised ESOs, issued a response. In particular, the two organizations welcome the proposed amendment of Regulation 1025/2012 and the fact that it emphasizes the national delegation principle.
The two organizations reaffirm that the national delegation principle is at the heart of the ESS’ core values and working methods and has powered its successes in their 60 years of existence. It is based on a network of National Standardization Organizations in 34 countries all across Europe, committed to engage a broad range of stakeholders for the development of European Standards.
Indeed, CEN and CENELEC Members, including those from non-EU countries, have the obligation to identically implement European Standards at national level: this obligation ensures that one European Standard becomes the national standard in all 34 Member countries, providing a common level of quality, safety, security and sustainability.
To conclude their response, in order to preserve the strengths of the public-private-partnership framed by Regulation 1025/2012 and deliver a robust, resilient and efficient system supporting EU policies and legislations, CEN and CENELEC commit to engage in a constructive dialogue with the European Commission and to implement possible changes where necessary.
CEN and CENELEC’s position was shared by 23 of their National members, which replied individually to the consultation.
The full text of CEN and CENELEC’s response can be found here.
Whitney CLARK
wclark@cencenelec.eu
