The Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament (IMCO) adopted unanimously its report on the future of the European Standardization System on Thursday 7 October 2010.

The existing European Standardization System constitutes a solid basis
The IMCO report on the future of the European Standardization System (ESS) was designed to analyse European Commission ideas to review the basis on which the European Standards Organizations work. In its final report, IMCO acknowledges the many successful elements of the current ESS, underlining the importance of preserving the system and stressing that “the proposed review should build on the strengths of the existing system, which constitutes a solid basis for improvement refraining from any radical changes that would undermine the core values of the system”.

IMCO report recognizes the significant role of European standardization in the delivery of the European Single Market, and in helping European policies and legislation achieving product safety, accessibility, innovation, interoperability and environment protection.

To know more about the IMCO conclusions, the report is now available on CEN and CENELEC website.

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ABOUT CEN
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is a business catalyst in Europe, removing trade barriers for European stakeholders such as industry, service providers, consumers and other stakeholders. Its mission is to foster the European economy in global trading, the welfare of European citizens, and the environment. Through its services CEN provides a platform for the development of European Standards and other specifications.
CEN’s 31 National Members work together to develop voluntary European Standards (ENs) in various sectors to build a European Internal Market for goods and services and to position Europe in the global economy. By supporting research, and helping disseminate innovation, standards are a powerful tool for economic growth. More than 60.000 technical experts as well as business federations, consumer and other societal interest organizations are involved in the CEN network that reaches over 480 million people.

For further information, please visit www.cen.eu

ABOUT CENELEC
The European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization is officially responsible for standardization in the electrotechnical field. In an ever more global economy, CENELEC fosters innovation and competitiveness, making technology available not only to major businesses but also to SMEs through the production of voluntary standards. CENELEC creates market access at the European level but also at the international level through its cooperation agreement with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Through the work of its 31 Members together with its experts, the industry federations and consumers, Electrotechnical European Standards are created in order to help shape the European Internal Market, to encourage technological development, to ensure interoperability and to guarantee the safety and health of consumers and provide environmental protection.
Detailed information available at www.cenelec.eu