CEN-CENELEC Contribution

Transcription

1 CEN Identification number in the EC register: CENELEC Identification number in the EC register: CEN-CENELEC Contribution To the Internal Market Package Including comments supporting the objectives of the recommendations of the Independent Review of the European Standardization System June 2015 Background Information This paper contains the CEN and CENELEC contribution to the future Internal Market Package (foreseen for Autumn 2015) and to the recommendations included in the Final Report of the Independent Review of the European Standardization System. This contribution is in line with the CEN and CENELEC s Ambitions to 2020, which identify the strategic priorities providing a common framework to these two European Standardization Organizations (ESOs), and represents the result of extensive consultations and discussions with members and stakeholders. The CEN and CENELEC contributions duly take into account the 10 Priorities of the European Commission, which can be strongly supported by voluntary and market driven European standardization in line with the CEN and CENELEC s Ambitions to The Regulation (EU) 1025/2012 on European Standardization recognizes CEN, CENELEC and ETSI as the European Standardization Organizations. It establishes rules with regard to the cooperation amongst the different actors of the ESS, or for the establishment of European standards and European standardisation deliverables for products and for services in support of Union legislation and policies, amongst other issues. This Regulation will become an essential part of the Internal Market Package, taking into account the important role of European Standardization in support of the Internal Market. The Independent Review of the European Standardisation System (ESS) was launched as a follow up of action 29 of the EC Communication COM(2011) 311 final, "A Strategic Vision for European standards: Moving forward to enhance and accelerate the sustainable growth of the European economy by 2020". CEN and CENELEC welcome the overall positive assessment of the European Standardization System (ESS) as one of the conclusions of the Independent Review launched by the European Commission and taking into account the five EC strategic objectives.

2 Executive summary CEN and CENELEC support the EC initiative to review the European Standardization ecosystem (which includes ESOs, EC/EFTA, NSBs, European Businesses representatives including SMEs, societal representatives, national authorities, national associations and other stakeholders and players). We consider this is a unique opportunity to improve and to increase the contribution of European standardization to society as a whole; welcome the conclusion in the Final Report of the Independent Review that the system is, in general, fit for purpose. In addition, it recognizes the continuous improvement and positive evolution in recent years of the European Standardization System; are strongly committed to further enhance the European Standardization System in order to satisfy the evolving needs of our (current and potential) stakeholders. There is a big potential for voluntary and market driven European standards to support the Commissions Priorities 1 and the future Internal Market Package (including Regulation 1025/2012 and relevant Commission Communications). In full coherence with the CEN and CENELEC s ambitions to , we are determined to contribute to these priorities, as well as to the objectives of the Recommendations of the Independent Review, following the three main areas of intervention identified by DG GROW: 1. Governance of the system Increase the use of ISO and IEC standards inside the ESS, and the participation of stakeholders in international standardization, to boost the global competitiveness of European businesses. CEN and CENELEC will enhance the coordination and early involvement of ISO and IEC when providing input to the Annual Union Work Programme and during early stages of drafting standardization requests and implementing a strategic planning. Upgrading of CEN and CENELEC Policy/Technology Watch, embedded in the Governance of CEN and CENELEC. Strengthen and clarify the role of National Standardization and Business Operators in a market driven and voluntary standardization system. Ensure a consistent and coherent System, in line with Regulation 1025/2012, with 1 Additional information on the Ten Priorities can be found on the EC s website: 2 See CEN and CENELEC Website:

3 voluntary and market driven standards supporting simpler and innovation friendly regulations. Carry on supporting technical cooperation amongst the ESOs, and identify and encourage the use of best practices from the other ESOs and at national level. Revise the patent policy in order to address challenges for the future. Introduce further flexibility to the drafting of European standards and adoption of international standards as European ones. 2. Interaction within the system Engage business and societal interests to ensure at early stages that standardization requests are market relevant. Differentiate societal needs (public interest) from SME needs (industry driven) in the standards making process and the approach to it. Implement a package of actions both at national and CEN & CENELEC level to foster the representation of Societal Stakeholders (proactive invitations, welcome material, TC officers awareness material) in addition to sharing best practices in the Societal Stakeholders Group. Implement a package of actions both at national and CEN & CENELEC level to foster the access of SMEs to the standardization processes and standards in addition to sharing best practices in the SME Group and Regulation 1025/2012 related activities. Encourage business actors to bridge the gap between research, standards and innovation. Further involve Member States (regulators, market surveillance, and customs) in the ESS, and in Education about Standardization. Improve the access to consistent data and information, to ensure traceability between CEN & CENELEC standards and standardization requests / supported Regulations. Improve the knowledge amongst stakeholders regarding available IT tools and data. Stimulate the cooperation with specification developers (e.g. European or US based) based on European or global needs, and when ISO or IEC standardization cannot address temporarily these needs. Increase awareness on the benefits of European and International standardization processes and deliverables as a tool for facilitating future market access of innovative products. Put in value the role and coherent use of European standards and other European standardization deliverables in support of the Digital Single Market and other

4 policy areas. 3. Communication with the system Boost the potential of European standards in support of the Directive on Services. Increase awareness on the role of national business associations in support of SMEs involvement in standardization and access to standards. Enhance relations and partnerships with other standardization bodies and better communicate gained market intelligence. Support that Education about Standardization becomes part of the professional curricula with the involvement of standardization professionals from businesses. The above actions support at least the following EC Priorities: A new boost for jobs, growth and investment (less regulation, supporting better innovation and competitiveness); A connected digital market (more coherent use of standards, standards supporting DSM and other policies); A deeper and fairer Internal Market with a strengthened industrial base; A reasonable and balanced free trade agreement with the US (international standards); A stronger Global Actor, increasing worldwide awareness of the European standardization model, understood as using voluntary and market driven standards, highly aligned with international standards, in support of the application of Regulations and Policies.

5 Details on the contribution from CEN and CENELEC to the Internal Market Package and supporting the objective of the Recommendations contained in the Final Report of the Independent Review CEN and CENELEC are committed to undertake the following actions, following the three main areas of intervention identified by DG GROW: Governance of the System Increase the use of ISO and IEC standards inside the ESS, and the participation of stakeholders in International Standardization, to boost the global competitiveness of European businesses Supports objective of Recommendation 12: Link between international level and EU policy Better explaining and promoting the role of International Standards adopted at European level in support of the competitiveness of our businesses, especially SMEs, Ensure that requirements in Regulation 1025/2012 concerning access and participation are strictly respected, Map and identify ISO or IEC standards adopted by our main trade partners and not adopted by CEN and/or CENELEC, for further analysis. CEN and CENELEC will enhance the coordination and early involvement of ISO and IEC when providing input to the Annual Union Work Programme and during early stages of drafting standardization requests and implementing a strategic planning Supports objective of Recommendation 12: Link between international level and EU policy Facilitate early feedback and feasibility analysis about potential undertaking of standardization work at international level, Reduce the time to market of international standardization linked with standardization requests, Facilitate not only market relevance of standardization requests, but also global relevance and better alignment with WTO TBT requirements, Establish synergies between CEN and CENELEC s new Policy/Technology Market Watch (see following action) with similar instruments available in ISO, IEC and members, in order to contribute to European leadership in, or commitment to, international work. Upgrading of CEN and CENELEC Policy/Technology Watch, embedded in the Governance of CEN and CENELEC Supports objective of Recommendation 6: Anticipate needs through strategic and operational planning CEN and CENELEC s Policy/Technology Market Watch fully implemented in the Governance (policy and technical),

6 Cross-sectorial function allowing an overall view of the different policy and technical initiatives Link with initiatives to further engage European and national representatives of business operators early information about policy development for stakeholders, ability to provide early feedback on policy development in line with market needs, the possibility to start standardization work earlier Scan future EC/EFTA Regulations and Policies to be potentially supported by voluntary and market driven standardization Strengthen and clarify the role of National Standardization and Business Operators in a market driven and voluntary standardization system Supports objective of Recommendation 6: Anticipate needs through strategic and operational planning Ensure that standardization requests and mandated/harmonized standards are market driven and represent the consensus of all interested parties, Early assessment of market relevance of standardization opportunities generated as a consequence of public policies and Regulations, Ensure a consistent and coherent System, in line with Regulation 1025/2012, with voluntary and market driven standards supporting simpler and innovation friendly regulations Supports objective of Recommendation 11: Consistent working methods Inform and influence the European legislators on the o advantages of indirect referencing (i.e. references published periodically in the C part of OJEU, instead of direct reference to the designation of the standard directly in the text of the Regulations or Policies), o reasons to prefer voluntary reference to standards and avoiding mandatory ones, o negative consequences of referencing standards/specifications other than European Standards for the internal market and the competitiveness of European Businesses (Industry and Services); Increase awareness on the new CEN-CENELEC Guide 30, European Guide on Standards and Regulation - Better regulation through the use of voluntary standards - Guidance for policy makers, amongst EC/EFTA officers and MEPs; Inform the relevant EC/EFTA services on the benefits of keeping standardization requests supporting the GPSD under Regulation 1025/2012, and coordinated by Committee on Standards; Support business to increasingly benefit from presumption of conformity through timely delivery of standards and timely publication of their references in the OJEU.

7 Carry on supporting technical cooperation amongst the ESOs, and identify and encourage the incorporation of best practices from the other ESOs and at national level Supports objective of Recommendation 11: Consistent working methods ESOs: o Further support the role of the Joint Presidents Group and Joint Working Group Rules and Processes, aiming to improve the modes of cooperation based on experience, o Ensure the coherence and consistency of the system, increasing SME friendliness, o Increased exchange of good practices amongst the ESOs, o Monitor and propose solutions in case of detected overlaps amongst ESOs work programmes (which are currently virtually zero). NSBs/NCs together with CEN and CENELEC: o Explore ways of gathering different expertise and enhancing cross-sector fertilization to develop standards that are needed by market actors EC / EFTA together with CEN and CENELEC: o Streamline practices where delays arise (e.g. compliance checks, publication of references in the OJEU) o See also Ensure a consistent and coherent system in line with Regulation 1025/2012 ( ) above. Revise the patent policy in order to address challenges for the future Supports objective of Recommendation 5: Adapt patent rules and procedures To promote the international policy for standards citing patents, with a view to get more standards developing organizations to apply this policy, following an approach similar to that developed by the WTO to popularize the standards code of practice, and of the EC in promoting its approach of quality infrastructure, to deepen the debate with ISO, IEC and ITU, as regards patent policy, to strengthen relations with the intellectual property organizations, Review the current patents and IPR policy to consider future challenges, in close cooperation with ISO/IEC, and as far as possible with ETSI, Especially relevant in case of increased incorporation of ICT features in standards and other deliverables for non-ict sectors. Introduce further flexibility to the drafting of European standards and adoption of international standards as European ones Supports objective of Recommendation 1: Alternative scheme Introduce procedures which will result in a better time to market, Review processes and implement flexible and simple standardization development processes, Consider alternative deliverables requiring different levels of consensus for

8 addressing specific market needs. Interaction within the system Engage business and societal interests to ensure at early development stages that standardization requests are market relevant Supports objective of Recommendation 9: Involvement and participation of Annex III organizations Improve the information and access of business (including SMEs) and societal interests during the consultation processes, ensuring acceptance of new work only when market relevant and can be delivered in a timely matter. Differentiate societal needs (public interest) from SME needs (industry driven) in the standards making process and the approach to it Supports objective of Recommendation 9: Involvement and participation of Annex III organizations Understand the different nature and interest of these two categories of stakeholders towards standardization: o societal stakeholders do not have a direct return on investment when participating in standardization, o societal stakeholders level of representation at national level changes depending on the country, o SMEs are weak stakeholders, but are widely represented in the system (direct participation, through national associations, through European federations and through SBS); Fully implement a single contact point to log and propose solutions on possible issues for SBS, ANEC, ECOS and ETUC under the remit of CEN and CENELEC; Proactively provide information on standardization concepts to SBS staff, when a need for information or clarification is detected; Explore further and understand better the criteria to develop SME friendly standards. Implement a package of actions both at national and CEN & CENELEC level to foster the representation of Societal Stakeholders (proactive invitations, welcome material, TC officers awareness material) in addition to sharing best practices in the Societal Stakeholders Group Supports objective of Recommendation 9: Involvement and participation of Annex III organizations actively seek the participation and representation of all stakeholders, including those represented by Annex III organizations, throughout the whole process where relevant, for example by means of dedicated invitations and follow up, provide the experts newly nominated by less well represented stakeholders with a

9 welcome package including materials and opportunities for training how to make their participation optimal and efficient, provide the technical bodies leadership with didactic material pointing out the benefit of having all stakeholders on board for the activity at hand and for the European standardization system as a whole, CEN and CENELEC societal stakeholders group should continue to be a forum for NSBs/NCs to share best practices and to develop specific initiatives. Implement a package of actions both at national and CEN & CENELEC level to foster the access of SMEs to the standardization processes and standards in addition to sharing best practices in the SME Group and Regulation 1025/2012 related activities Supports objective of Recommendations 9 and 3: Involvement and participation of Annex III organizations and Ensure SMEs participation in the development and use of standards Making standards easier to use for SMEs and the craft sector by o Developing descriptive application guides to make standards easier to implement for SMEs; o continuing to disseminate and apply CEN/CENELEC guide 17 on adapting standards to SMEs. Improving access to standards using available information technology by o Continuing to develop specific services for SMEs such as search engines and watch distribution lists where it is possible to target a specific interest, an area of business, products or services. Reinforcing the contribution of the craft sector, microbusinesses and SMEs to European and international work by o Keeping on facilitating their access in standardisation and coordinating expert networks at a European level, notably via SBS. o Training organizations representing microbusinesses (developing their ability to notify work, to identify experts likely to take part in work, to advise and support companies in implementing standards). See also Communication within the system measures for SME Encourage business actors to bridge the gap between research, standards and innovation Supports objective of Recommendation 2: Leverage on R&I projects Support national members to increase the links with national innovation agencies and research projects, Help to link business professionals dealing with Research, Development and Innovation for products and services with participants in standardization of the same companies, Raise awareness of Chief Technology Officers (CTO) about the potential of standardization for facilitating market access of their innovative products and services.

10 Further involve Member States (regulators, market surveillance, and customs) in the ESS, and in Education about Standardization Supports objectives of several Recommendations for Governance or Communication, deals with Interaction within the System: 6 on anticipating needs, 4 on Education about Standardization Increase awareness and promote the participation of regulators, market surveillance and customs authorities, Backing CEN and CENELEC members to develop and implement Education about Standardization activities linked with better use of standards in support of compliance, and in particular as a tool for Market Surveillance and Customs Authorities. Improve the access to consistent data and information, to ensure traceability between CEN & CENELEC standards and standardization requests / supported Regulations Supports objective of Recommendation 7: consistency of data Increase transparency and access to relevant data, ensuring not only better project management but also transparency and predictability regarding time to market of standards developed in reply to standardization requests. Improve the knowledge amongst stakeholders regarding available IT tools and data Supports partially objective of Recommendation 8: Integrated information system Increase information and awareness about data / information currently available, Increase awareness and use of existing IT tools amongst certain categories of stakeholders (including SMEs and societal). Stimulate the cooperation with specification developers (e.g. European or US based) based on European or global needs, and when ISO or IEC standardization cannot address temporarily these needs Supports objective of Recommendation 13: partnership with SDOs and other Encourage the implementation of a technical cooperation mechanism with ANSI and the accredited SDOs, Support two new fields of activity identified for potential joint work if there is interest from European stakeholders, Identify third-party specifications which could cover market needs at European level: o for adoption of their specifications as European or International Standardization Publications, o for adoption of International or European standards by them, whenever possible.

11 Increase awareness on the benefits of European and International standardization processes and deliverables as a tool for facilitating future market access of innovative products and services Supports objective of Recommendations 2: Leverage Research & Development Liaise with European Technology Platforms (ETPs) to raise awareness about the benefits of standardization and of establishing links with CEN and CENELEC work programmes, Involve business partners linking research, development and innovation in the economic operators with CEN and CENELEC, Exploit CEN and CENELEC links with JRC and EARTO to raise awareness about standardization as a tool for market access, for instance in the context of the European Forum for Science and Industry (EFSI), Cooperate with the European Patents Office (EPO) to provide joint information and explanation of the role and interplay of patents and standards towards the R&I community, in the context of market access of innovative products and services. Put in value the role and coherent use of European standards and other European standardization deliverables in support of the Digital Single Market and other policy areas Supports the objective of recommendations 4: Educate about Standardization and 6: Anticipating needs Contribute to the development of standards in the field of ICT-related services, Support the uptake of ICT features through standards in non-ict related services (such as IoT and Smart), Ensure cooperation with ETSI on current or future joint areas of work. Communication with the system Boost the potential of European standards in support of the Directive on Services Supports the objective of recommendations 4: Educate about Standardization and 6: Anticipating needs Increase awareness of Member States, EC/EFTA DGs and services on the role of European standards in support of the Internal Market for services, Further develop market relevant and bottom-up voluntary European (and international) standards for service sectors, especially when there is a risk of fragmentation of the Internal Market, or to increase the safety, quality and confidence in services. Increase awareness on the role of national business associations in support of SMEs involvement in standardization and access to standards Supports the objective of recommendation 3: Ensure SME access Identify and exchange best practices in the involvement of national business associations in support of SMEs in standardization (access to processes and to standards),

12 Issue periodic and focused sector specific information linked with European standardization to facilitate the dissemination of digested information, through members and other stakeholders, through mail, web and social media. Enhance relations and partnerships with other standardization bodies and better communicate gained market intelligence Linked with Communication within the system and also supporting the objectives of Recommendation 13 partnerships with SDOs and other standardization related projects CEN and CENELEC have committed to specific ambitions under their CEN-CLC ambitions to 2020 (under item 4 Network of excellence), which is already bringing results, for instance: establishing relationships with the African countries community (AFSEC and ARSO), extending the influence of European standards towards the states of the Gulf, through a partnership with GSO, supporting SESEC and SESEI in China and India, better exploiting the gained market intelligence with focussed communication inside the system. Support that Education about Standardization becomes part of the professional curricula with the involvement of standardization professionals from businesses Supports the objective of Recommendation 4: Educate about Standardization Progress further in the identification of different profiles of business professionals having active interest in standardization and standards (e.g. design, marketing, production, regulations and compliance, conformity assessment, trade professionals), Develop specific Education about Standardization material and initiatives targeting professionals interested in developing standardization curricula. Conclusions CEN and CENELEC welcome the positive assessment of the European Standardization System provided by the Independent Review, support the objectives of the recommendations included in the Final Report of the Independent Review, commit to take action on these objectives, taking into account the CEN and CENELEC Ambitions to 2020, addressing the EC Priorities from the perspective of voluntary and market driven standardization.

13 CEN (European Committee for Standardization) and CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) are recognised by the EU and EFTA as European Standardization Organizations responsible for developing and defining standards at European level. These standards set out specifications and procedures (e.g. for measuring and testing) in relation to a wide range of processes, materials, products and services. The members of CEN and CENELEC are the National Standards Bodies and National Electrotechnical Committees of 33 European countries including all of the EU member states plus 3 EFTA countries (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) as well as 2 EU candidate countries (Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). European Standards (ENs) are developed through a process of collaboration among experts nominated by business and industry, research institutes, consumer and environmental organisations and other stakeholders. These standards are accepted and recognised in all of the countries covered by CEN and CENELEC members. When correctly applied, they contribute to enhancing safety, improving performance and quality, facilitating cross-border trade and strengthening the European Single Market. CEN and CENELEC cooperate with the European Commission to develop and adopt harmonized standards and other deliverables that support the implementation of EU policies and legislation (in accordance with EU Regulation 1025/2012). CEN and CENELEC work to promote the international alignment of standards in the framework of technical cooperation agreements with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). CEN-CENELEC website: