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The European Parliament plenary approved the report on the future of European Standardization

Date

25 Oct 2010

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The European Parliament Internal Market Committee (IMCO) submitted on Thursday 21 October its final report on the future of the European Standardization to the voting of the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg.

THE REPORT WAS ADOPTED ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY

As a reminder, 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. After a public hearing in June dedicated to the topic, a first draft and the approval of the report by IMCO‟s members on 7 October, the final step in the process was concluded with the report approval by the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg.

The press conference outlining the work and results of the report

Prior to the voting, a press conference was held on 20 October to present the results of this „report on the future of European Standardization„ undertaken by IMCO.
MEP Mr Malcolm HARBOUR, Chair of the Committee on Internal Market (IMCO), stated that he was confident on the vote as the topic of European standardization‟s future received a lot of support across the European Parliament.

The report – An outcome of a good compromise

Three other MEPs were present during the press conference: Mr Edvard Kožušnik (IMCO‟s rapporteur on the future of European Standardization), the shadow rapporteurs Mr Mitro Repo and Ms Lara Comi. They explained how satisfied they are with the result of the report, which tackles an essential topic for the European internal market, that is in their view too often neglected. They highlighted that at first a lot of divergences existed on this topic, but finally the outcome of the report is a very good compromise.

“The ball is now on the side of the European Commission”

Mr Kožušnik ended in underlining that now the ball is on the side of the European Commission, but that the European Parliament will closely follow the subsequent developments at the European Commission level.
 
Mr Malcom Harbour concluded that working on the future of the European standardization has made him aware of how deeply “this issue reaches down into the local communities. It is a real example about how important the internal market is for consumers and citizens.”

To view the press conference, follow the link:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/wps-europarl-internet/frd/vod/player?eventCode=20101020-1030-SPECIAL&language=en&byLeftMenu=researchotherevents&category=SPECIAL&format=wmv#anchor1

Media Contacts :

CEN-CENELEC

Celine Oeyen Manager Communication

Tel.: +32 2 519 68 85

E-mail: coeyen@cencenelec.eu

ABOUT CEN

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is a business catalyst in Europe, removing trade barriers for European stakeholders such as industry, public administration, 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