Brussels, 18/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Commission recently adopted a Communication on the role of standardisation to support European legislation and policies. Mutually agreed voluntary standards throughout the EU contribute to better governance, stimulate business competitiveness and remove barriers to trade. However, as economies evolve, the standardisation process must advance to meet a new generation of challenges. The Communication reviews the objectives, scope and needs of European standardisation for better efficiency.
European standards are technical specifications approved by the European standards organisations CEN, CENELEC or ETSI. European standards are developed through achieving consensus between all industrial and societal stakeholders in an open and transparent procedure. Their application is voluntary. European standards, in support of the Union's “New Approach legislation” - a co- regulatory model - underpin the single market, and have formed the basis for more than 20 legislative acts over 15 years. This combination has encouraged effective partnerships between the European legislator and the European standards community, i.e. the private sector. With the help of standards, European legislation can be simplified. They contribute to the EU's commitment for “better regulation”.
Standards also can help to create and maintain interoperability, as is the case in ICT, in ensuring compatibility between national railway networks and in the management of Europe's air traffic. The Commission points out that the development of standards by stakeholders can provide added value and increase industrial competitiveness. In Europe, standardisation adds approximately 1% to GDP. The Communication cites the services sector and innovation, using the examples of GSM and the satellite navigation infrastructure “Galileo”, as further areas where standards can play an eminent role. The Communication highlights the role of standards in achieving environmental objectives, in the area of accessibility for all, and in crime prevention. The Communication reiterates the Commission's commitment to international standardisation and highlights the need to reinforce the role of European standardisation in the international context. (http: //europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/standards_policy/index.htm)