NEWS
Critical Raw Materials play an important role in today’s global economy. Minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and copper are essential components in a wide set of strategic sectors, including the net zero industry, the digital industry, aerospace, and defence sectors. For this reason, they are fundamental to ensure the long-term success of the European Union’s strategic priorities, such as the twin digital and green transitions and its strategic autonomy.
On the 16th of March, the European Commission released the proposal for the Net-Zero Industry Act. CEN and CENELEC welcome the Commission’s proposal to strengthen European Green Industry and are excited to see how standardization can continue to foster innovation in clean technologies.
The twin green and digital transitions open new opportunities for the European economy and for European citizens. But does Europe have what it takes? How can we make sure that it has the skills and the workforce to remain competitive in the global economy? And what is the role of standardization?
The European Commission has published a new Code of Practice on standardization for researchers. The Code provides a set of recommendations to beneficiaries of public-funded research and innovation programmes on how to valorise project results through standardization. The recommendations also target universities and public research organizations, policymakers, and standard development organizations (SDOs).
CEN and CENELEC have been shocked by the devastation and terrible loss of life from the earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria last 6 February. On behalf of all the CEN and CENELEC community, we express our solidarity with all those in the region who suffered because of this disaster and with all citizens who have lost so much at this tragic time.
This Valentine’s Day, CEN and CENELEC celebrate 30 years of the Single Market by looking at the European standards that bring us love and connection.
In 2023, the European Single Market celebrates its 30th anniversary. Since its creation in 1993, the Single Market has established itself as one of the EU’s greatest and most brilliant achievements: by facilitating trade across borders, reducing red tape, and ensuring the same levels of safety and quality, it has helped make everyday life easier for people and businesses, fuelling jobs and growth across the EU.
On 7 February, the European Standards Organizations (ESOs), CEN, CENELEC and ETSI, joined forces with ENISA, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, to organise their 7th annual conference. The hybrid conference took place at the Brussels Renaissance Hotel and focused on “European Standardization in support of the EU cybersecurity legislation”.
The chemical sector is a pillar of the EU economy. According to the European Commission, it accounts for 7,5% of the EU manufacturing turnover, provides 1,2 million direct highly skilled jobs, and its sales amount to €565 billion (2018). As recently stated by Kerstin Jorna, Director General at DG GROW, the chemical industry is at "the beginning of everything", meaning that it is key to many other sectors for manufacturing their products.
On 23 January, Elena Santiago Cid, Director General of CEN and CENELEC, was invited to speak at the European Parliament during the hearing on Standardization in the Single Market held by the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO).