European Technical Committees I a n G r e e n s m i t h S e n i o r S t a n d a r d s E x p e r t L o n d o n, 1 0 J u l y 2 0 1 3 www.inogate.org
European Standardization New regulation on European standardization continues to recognise the three European Standardization Organisations (ESOs): the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
European Standardization European Standardization is founded on the principles recognised by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in the field of standardization: Coherence Transparency Openness Consensus Voluntary application Independence from special interests Efficiency
European Standardization CEN and CENELEC: based on national representation ETSI: direct industry participation Only standards developed by CEN, CENELEC and ETSI are recognised as 'European Standards'
European Standardization CEN and CENELEC are based on the National Standardization Bodies/National Electrotechnical Committees (NSBs/NCs - the members of CEN/CENELEC) NSBs/NCs are the main focal point for all stakeholders for access to the standardization system, both regional (European) and international (ISO/IEC)
European Standardization Other than the National Members, who else can be involved? Associates/Partners: represent interest groups of various dimensions at European level Affiliates: the National Standards Bodies from Central and Eastern Europe who may become National Members Partner standardization bodies: National Standards Bodies that are a member of ISO, but are unlikely to become CEN Members or CEN Affiliates for political or geographical reasons Governmental bodies and other authorities, including the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) See new CEN/CENELEC Guide 25 The concept of Partnership with European Organisations and other stakeholders
CEN Structure General Assembly (AG) 33 National Members (1 member = 1 vote) + Obs.: Affiliates, Associates, Counsellors STRATEGY Administrative Board (CA) 33 National Members (1 member = 1 vote) + Open session: Associates, Counsellors PLANNING Technical Board (BT) 33 National Members (1 member = 1 vote) + Obs: Sector Rapporteurs, Assoc., Counsellors PROGRAMMING Technical Committee (TC) Technical Committee Management Group (TCMG) BT Working Groups DRAFTING Working Group (WG) Structure of CENELEC is very similar
What is a CEN/CENELEC Technical Committee? A TC is a technical decision body with precise title, scope and work programme, established in the CEN/CENELEC System by the Technical Board (BT). A TC essentially manages the preparation of CEN/CENELEC deliverables - in accordance with an agreed business plan. A TC is composed of: - Chairperson and a secretary - CEN/CENELEC national members - Observers, including Affiliates, Associates, European Commission and EFTA secretariats
Participation in TC meetings The national delegations are nominated by the CEN/CENELEC members. At meetings, CEN/CENELEC national members can be represented by a number of delegates, normally not exceeding three, one of whom acts as head of delegation. Other bodies may delegate observers to meetings. Observers in the TC may be Associates, Affiliates, European Commission and EFTA secretariats On request, observers from organisations that have been granted liaison and Specific PSBs, having indicated that they want and have been granted the right to participate in the TC.
Creation of new CEN/CENELEC Technical Committees Proposals for new work (new TC) may originate from a CEN/CENELEC Member; a CEN/CENELEC Technical Committee; the EC or EFTA Secretariat; an international organisation; a European trade, professional, technical or scientific organisation CEN/BT or CENELEC/BT votes on the proposal; if approved, new TC is established CEN members and other parties are informed of first TC meeting and invited to nominate delegates; TC prepares a business plan for BT approval and a programme of work; TC sets up necessary WGs
How are standards produced? Standards are created by bringing together all interested parties such as manufacturers, consumers and regulators of a particular material, product, process or service The process of drafting standards in CEN/CENELEC is carried out in working groups (WGs) under the direction of their parent technical committees (TCs) CEN Members and Affiliates contribute to the development process at TC level by the principle of national delegation
TC Working Groups (1) A Working Group (WG) is established by a Technical Committee to undertake a specific short-term task within a target date and shall normally be disbanded by its parent body when this is completed. It shall work within clearly defined policy guidelines from its parent body.
TC Working Groups (2) A WG is restricted to individual experts appointed by the parent TC or by CEN/CENELEC national members, to serve in a personal capacity WG experts should be aware of national positions on the subject in order to minimize the risk of rejection of the draft standard at a later stage WGs may include experts from organisations which have only observer status in the parent body
TC Working Groups (3) Each Working Group shall have a convenor who is responsible for the proper conduct of the work, with or without the help of a secretary The convenor is appointed by the parent body for a period of maximum 6 years, with possible successive extensions of 3 years The convenor should be nominated by his/her NSB/NC
Profiles of Technical Bodies and their participants CEN BOSS contains many useful documents on the constitution of TCs and WGs, and the roles of Chairs, WG Convenors and much more: Http://www.cen.eu/boss/Organization/Pages/default.aspx CENELEC website has similar guidance: http://www.cenelec.eu/membersandexperts/resourceare a/index.html
Areas of CEN/TC Activity http://www.cen.eu/cen/sectors/sectors/pages/default.aspx
CENELEC TC Technology Sectors Electric Vehicles Smart Grids Smart Metering Household Appliances Information and Communication Technology Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) http://www.cenelec.eu/#top
Standards development in CEN and CENELEC (1) The processes by which standards are developed by TCs are given in the CEN/CENELEC IR Part 2 The rules for the structure, drafting and presentation of European Standards (EN) and for the implementation of European Standards at national level, in order to ensure that the technical content and presentation are identical in all member countries are given in the CEN/CENELEC IR Part 3
Standards development in CEN and CENELEC (2) Proposals for new standards may originate from a CEN Member; a CEN Technical Committee; the EC or EFTA Secretariat; an international organisation; a European trade, professional, technical or scientific organisation. Proposals are subject to acceptance criteria
Stages in the development of a European Standard 1. Initiation - new work item 2. Drafting - consensus building among WG experts 3. Public consultation - Enquiry 4. Technical comment review and draft amendment 5. Approval yes/no 6. Publication 7. Review Stages 1 to 6 expected to be completed within 3 years
Governance of CEN/CENELEC TC work The operation of CEN/CENELEC TCs is largely governed by the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations (IR) Part 2 The IR Part 2 specifies (amongst other things): Roles and responsibilities of TCs/SCs/WGs and their members The various CEN/CENELC publications and their associated development processes The appeals process if something appears to go wrong Voting policy In CEN, extra information and guidance is given on the CEN Business Operation Support Systems (BOSS). See: http://www.cen.eu/boss/pages/default.aspx
Why is European Standardization important? European standardisation helps to boost the competitiveness of enterprises by facilitating in particular the free movement of goods and services network interoperability means of communication, technological development and innovation European standardisation reinforces the global competitiveness of European industry
Support to EU Legislation European standards play a very important role within the internal market, through the use of harmonised standards in the presumption of conformity of products to be made available on the market with the essential requirements relating to those products laid down in the relevant New Approach directives.
European International Co-operation CEN ISO co-operation: governed by the Vienna Agreement CENELEC IEC co-operation: governed by the Dresden Agreement Somewhat different modes of working but share the same primary aims of avoiding duplication of effort and reducing time when preparing standards
National Committees Why do we need national committees? CEN Members and Affiliates contribute to the development process at TC level by the principle of national delegation national TCs develop the national position taken forward by delegates attending CEN/CENELEC/ISO/IEC TC/SC meetings Experts attending WG meetings are not expected to take national positions but nevertheless should be aware of their national position To decide on how the national vote for CEN/CENELEC enquiry and Formal Vote is to be cast (also for ISO-IEC/CD, ISO/DIS, IEC/CDV and ISO-IEC/FDIS) For CEN/CENELEC Members, to develop purely national standards where there is no equivalent EN
National Committees (2) National committees are also sometimes referred as mirror or shadow committees One national committee can mirror one or several CEN/CENELEC TCs Which CEN/CENELEC TCs a country decides to mirror can be decided by the relevant stakeholders
Benefits of participation in writing standards Influence content Insider knowledge - competitive edge Trends and ideas Cooperation and networking Sharing of research Applies to National, Regional or International standards
Thank you for your attention! Any questions? Ian Greensmith Senior Standardization Expert Ian.greensmith@virginmedia.com +44 77 68 77 39 78