CEN and CENELEC welcome the political agreement on strengthening the European Standardization System

Regulation 1025/2012 governs how EU legislation is supported by the three European Standardization Organizations: CEN, CENELEC and ETSI. The amendment to the Regulation, approved yesterday, is part of the new European Standardization Strategy, published by the European Commission in February 2022, which aims to strengthen the role of European standards in the internal market and on the global stage.

In particular, the amendment aims to enhance the role of National Standardization Bodies (NSBs) and National Electrotechnical Committees (NCs) in the EU and EFTA member countries in the development of harmonised standards in support of EU legislation. Negotiators also included changes to strengthen the representation of all stakeholders, like civil society and SMEs, in standards development.

CEN and CENELEC have engaged in a constructive dialogue with the European Commission and the European Parliament throughout the drafting of this amendment. We are firmly committed to the use of standards to help achieve the goals of green and digital transitions and to support competitiveness and innovation in Europe, with full respect of core values: transparency, diversity and the national delegation principle.  

CEN and CENELEC share the approach of the European Standardization Strategy, as shown by the joint CEN and CENELEC Strategy 2030. In it, we commit to a trustworthy relationship with the European Institutions to better use the strategic value of the European Standardization System.

We look forward to the final approval of this amendment and the opportunity to build on the public private partnership with the European Institutions to deliver on the promise of a strong and effective standardization system for Europe.