Lively discussions on the Independent Review of the European Standardisation System

Published 31-03-2015
Hein Bollens, DG GROW, Petros Mamalis DG GROW, Silvia Vaccaro, DG GROW and Margrethe Asserson, EFTA Secretariat
On 26 March 2015, a meeting on the independent review of the European Standardisation System arranged by the European Commission, was hosted by the EFTA Secretariat. 112 participants had registered for the meeting and represented EU and EFTA States, industry, European and national standards organisations, Annex III organisations and other stakeholders.

The European Commission organised the meeting in order to have an open approach where all stakeholders affected would get the chance to be heard before the conclusion of the report by the independent consultant. The independent review of the European Standardisation System has been carried out by the consultancy company Ernst & Young (E&Y) at the request of the Commission. In the meeting, E&Y presented the methodology as well as the findings and recommendations. A lively debate followed in which the participants were able to exchange their views and give their opinions.

The meeting was chaired by Mr Hein Bollens, Acting Head of Unit, Standards for Boosting Competitiveness (J4), DG GROW. Mr Bollens emphasised thatstandardisation was the cornerstone of the Internal Market.  “European Standardisation has been successful during the last 30 years and we have to ensure that it can be as successful for the next 30 years”, Mr Bollens said. He highlighted that the European Standardisation System is made by industry for industry and supports EU policies and legislation, and that is important to establish an appropriate framework to ensure that all the actors in the system understand and agree on the way forward.

The independent review focuses on the five strategic objectives for European Standardisation as defined in the Communication “A strategic vision for European Standards” (COM(2011)311). These are:

  • Speed of standards
  • European standards to support the competitiveness of European businesses
  • Standards to support EU legislation and policies
  • Inclusiveness of the standardisation process
  • Standards to support the competitiveness of European businesses at global level

 

After the meeting Mr Bollens said that the independent review was a first step to better understanding the current standardisation system and developing it further to make it fit for current and future challenges such as EU economic growth, competitiveness for EU businesses and jobs. “A first step was taken today when the Commission organised an exchange of views on the conclusions and recommendations made by the independent review to be further embedded in the Standardisation Roundtable of 1 July 2015”.

“I am pleased that EFTA hosted this successful event and participated in the debates”, said Mr Bollens.

 

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