CECE calls for changes in the EU Standardisation System
CECE joins other industry association in calling for a new deal for the European Single Market. The main message is that harmonised standards should continue to support a competitive European industry and remain relevant for companies operating in the European Union’s Single Market.
The document feeds into the discussions of the upcoming European Commission’s (EC) Industrial Strategy. It reminds of the importance of a functioning Single Market supported by a well-run system for the development, assessment and use of harmonised standards.
One of the main advantages is that companies using harmonised standards, the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the EU, benefit from presumption of conformity with EU rules.
However, the co-signing industry associations disagree with the EC’s interpretation of Regulation 1025/2012 on European Standardisation. This allowed the EC to claim additional responsibilities based on the interpretation that harmonised standards are an extension of the law, increasing the administrative burdens and delays access for innovative technologies to the Single Market.
The document includes three recommendations:
- Conduct an independent assessment of the interpretation of Regulation 1025/2012 on European standardisation and its impact on users and developers.
- Restore efficient mechanisms for the development, assessment and use of relevant, state-of- the-art harmonised standards that respond to market needs and support the application of EU law.
- Involve industry and other economic operators as full partners in any discussion on European standardisation policy from inception to implementation.
CECE recognises the importance of harmonised standards for the construction equipment industry and will keep supporting the future industry strategy that ensures the well-functioning of the European Standardisation System.
The full document is available here.
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