1. European Standardisation: A short insight
By Guido De Jongh
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre - Brussels
2010 CEN – all rights reserved

2. What is CEN ? (1)
The European Committee for Standardization, whose members are the National Standardization Bodies of the EU and EFTA countries plus Croatia
CEN is an international non-profit organisation, incorporated under Belgian law
2 Counsellors (European Commission, EFTA)
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre (CCMC), Brussels
Recognized by the European Authorities as one of the three competent standardization bodies for the EU (see Directive 98/34/EC)
 2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017
2010 CEN – all rights reserved

3. What is CEN ? (2)
Over experts of all fields are active in CEN work
Experts of authorities, industry, consumer organisations, etc. (i.e. the stakeholders) participate in the standardisation process, which is open and transparent
 2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017

4. The geography Member Affiliate 27 Members of EU 3 Members of EFTA
Croatia
19 Affiliates
 2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017
2010 CEN – all rights reserved

5. How do we harmonize and contribute to the single market ?
European Standards (EN)
Over ENs exist today, with about new documents being published every year
European Standards are, from a legal point of view, voluntary in their use, but “unavoidable” in practise
CEN Workshop Agreements (CWA)
Consensus-based documents, directly made by the stakeholders
Often used in innovative areas, e.g. biofuels or information technology
 2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017
2010 CEN – all rights reserved

6. Standards, regulations and private specifications
Professional good practice, corporate specs, etc.
Mandatory
Voluntary
Public
Private
Law
CEN Workshop Agreement
 2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017
2010 CEN – all rights reserved

7. What is a standard ? A standard is a document
established by all interested parties (e.g. also yourself)
reflecting consensus
In addition, a European Standard
is automatically transposed in national standards and conflicting national standards are to be withdrawn
European Standards are, from a legal point of view, voluntary in their use, but at the same time “unavoidable” in practice
A tool to underpin the details of directives
e.g. Medical device directive
 2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017

8. Drafting European Standards ?
National Standards Body
Timeframe: 36 Months
Technical
Committee
Project
Proposal
Working
Group
USER
Draft
Standard
European
Circulation for comments
Weighted vote
National implementation
6 Months
 2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017
2010 CEN – all rights reserved

9. Not only European Standards: The CEN Workshop Agreement
The CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) represents the consensus of identified stakeholders
Anybody interested can join (including anyone outside Europe) – direct participation
A public process
Rules are very simple (non-bureaucratic)
Workshops are fast (5 months is the record, months average!)
The CEN Workshop Agreement shall not conflict with ENs
 2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017

10. Different steps to publish a CEN Workshop Agreement
Drafting and adoption of CWA
Kick-off Meeting
Publication of CWA
Business Plan
TIMEFRAME: 6 – 18 MONTHS
Describing
– Scope
– Objectives
– Financing
– Schedule
Confirming
Business Plan :
– Rules of the
Workshop
– Financing
– Chairmanship
– Secretariat
Consensus
process
– Workshop participants
– Public consultation, as appropriate
Announced by
CEN National
Members
 2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017
2010 CEN – all rights reserved

11. Our international partner: ISO
Main differences CEN – ISO
ISO works at worldwide level
Consensus building process on ISO standards must take account of all regional interests
No automatic transposition of ISO standard at national level
Collaboration agreement between CEN and ISO (Vienna Agreement) avoids duplication of work
 2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017

12.  2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017

13. Some examples Standards on products Standards on services
EN 71 series on “Safety of toys”
EN 14214:2008 “Biodiesel” for cars
EN 81 series on “Lifts”
Standards on services
EN 14804: 2005 “Language study tour providers – Requirements”
EN 14467: 2004 “Recreational diving services – Requirements for recreational scuba diving service providers”
prEN “Services of Real Estate Agents – Requirements for the provision of the services of real estate agents”
 2010 CEN – all rights reserved 13/04/2017

14. Questions ?
Thank you