1. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) UNECE INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON REGIONAL EXPERIENCES IN GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR REGULATORY PRACTICES Experience of a candidate country adapting to EU framework Dr. S. Presern, Ministry of Economy, Slovenia Geneva, Novenber 10, 2003

2. Mechanisms of technical regulation and relationship with trade Technical regulation (transposition) Standards (voluntary) CE marking (manufacturer’s obligations, New Approach) CAB (testing, certification) Market Surveillance (proportionality principles) Slovenian experience

3. On government level Political commitment needed; Resources (financial) reflected in the budget; A project of gigantic proportion (transposition of legislation is just one small part); Most difficult: different thinking in all infrastructure and economy. There is no guidebook to follow – there are only experiences to learn from and find the own way.

4. Management of transposition and implementation on government level on ministerial level on expert level Improve effectivenees Increase transpareny “Best Regulatory Practice” BRP

5. Stakeholders in technical legislation Ministries (legislator) Market surveillance (enforcement) Quality infrastructure: –standardisation –accreditation –metrology Conformity assessment bodies Industry and trade Consumers They have different needs and objectives Ministry has to “lead” and find a balance

6. Management of transposition and implementation on ministerial level develop rules of procedures involvement of all stakeholders ensure or develop tools: –table of correspondence, –internet,... stick to the text of the directive (including annexes) as much as possible. Be proactive - do not wait for translations of directives!

7. Working groups - WG Define objective: –Just transposition of the directive –Take other initiatives outside those WG (for instance national electrical safety board) Participants should identify their benefits: –Participation of experts on voluntary basis –Industry and trade participates through chambers Solve conflict of interests early within the WG not later in the media or TV or even in referendum.

8. Ministry awareness campaigns Get technical assistance: –learning by doing, –exchange of experience –sustainable projects Information campaigns –guides, –leaflets, –training seminars, –Q&A Develop a pool of experts

9. Standardisation independent institution (new law) 1st priority: adopt all harmonized EN adopt EN and delete conflict standards become member of CEN, CENELEC, ETSI get information technology support Stimulate gradual self-finacning !

10. Accreditation become a member of EA (European Accreditation) Sign MLA (multilateral agreement) get trained get involved in EU co-ordination Accreditation is a service to industry (measure efficinecy and improve it)

11. Experience for industry Implementation of technical legislation in companies Several EU Phare projects (also for SME) Partially performed by Slovenian experts (train the trainers) Very practical questions solved (internal market) extremely successful Industry is mostly prepared and ready !

12. Market surveillance Starting point: trained in legislation and standards go to the market together with MS inspectors in Slovenia and in Member States identify potentially non-compliant products share information (TRAPEX, ICSMS, e-mail and phone contacts with MS colleagues) Implement principle of proportionality in practice

13. Conformity assessment bodies learn study your market possibilities define your area of activity get accredited (cost benefit analysis) develop market in voluntary areas (but be clear) try to get co-finance in equipment (form a sink fund) participate in EU coordination of NBs

14. Enlarge internal market before accession Legislation harmonized and implemented PECA in use from May 1, 2003 –LVD (electrical products) –EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) –Machinery –Gas Appliances Slovenia has notified bodies in all sectors Benefit for Slovenia and Member States

15. Summary of Slovenian experience commitment to be reflected in the budget find priorities and stick to timetable involve all stakeholders in Working Groups use table of correspondence and other tools lobby and make contacts with MS experts follow and observe the Commission’s work pay attention to terminology provide a lot of training to all infrastructure be proactive in proposals for technical assistance

16. Result in Slovenia EU Internal market for technical products Transposition and implementation in 5 years, No transitional periods, Slovenia is within EU in PECA sectors, Others sectors are ready, All infrastructure is functioning good. We hope that our experience will assist others in finding their own best way !