European standardisation

European Commission Directorate-General For Enterprise And Industry

Description

Intra-Community trade - free movement of goods
Enterprise
Industrial policy
Target audience: All

Informations

• Publié par: EUROPEAN-COMMISSION-DIRECTORATE-GENERAL-FOR-ENTERPRISE-AND-INDUSTRY
• Nombre de lectures: 3
• Langue: English

Extrait

_ _ 952505 depliant EN 24-12-2002 09:38 Pagina 1

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Why are European standards developed?

European standards are developed when there is a significant industry, market or public need. For example, industry could need a standard to ensure the interoperability of a product or service. The market might use a standard to make sure that competition was fair. The public would benefit from a standard which improved the quality and safety of a product or service. European standards are also developed to help people comply with European legislation on policies such as the single market.

In fact, most standards are developed for a combination of reasons and give many different benefits to a variety of stakeholders.

Full details of the Commission’s standards policy can be seen on this web site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/standards_policy

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How does the European Commission support European standardisation?

The Commission promotes the voluntary use of standards where it thinks they can play a useful role. Industry and business are encouraged to use them where they help competition and improve quality or safety. Authorities are encouraged to use them if they help to implement European or national legislation.

The Commission works with all recognised standards bodies to pursue common goals such as openness, transparency and efficiency in their systems. It also helps the European standards organisations to interpret Community and international policies, such as those governing trade, where these are relevant to their work.

The Commission gives financial support to the secretariats of the European standards organisations and can also fund special groups to take part in standardisation to represent, for example, consumer, SME and environmental views. Where necessary, the Commission contributes towards the costs of developing some specific standards and often helps to fund related research projects.

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Enterprise publications

European standardisation

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What are European standards?

Standards are documented, voluntary agreements which establish important criteria for products, services and processes. Standards, therefore, help to make sure that products and services are fit for their purpose and are comparable and compatible.

This is equally true for European standards. However, for a standard to be European, it has to be adopted by one of the European standards organisations and be publicly available.