The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) have both decided to grant full membership status to the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE). This change will take effect on 1 January 2012, and represents an important step towards the full participation of Turkey in the European Single Market.

TSE has already been cooperating closely with CEN and CENELEC for several years, and in January 2008 it became an affiliate of both organisations. The application of TSE to become a full member of CEN and CENELEC has been formally accepted by the General Assemblies of both organisations, in accordance with their respective rules and procedures.

Following the accession of TSE, both CEN and CENELEC will have national members in 32 European countries, covering more than 590 million consumers in total. These include all 27 countries of the European Union and three countries of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) plus two EU candidate countries (Croatia and Turkey).

Since 1995, Turkey has been in a Customs Union with the European Union. This covers trade in manufactured products between Turkey and the EU, and also entails alignment by Turkey with certain EU policies, such as technical regulation of products, competition, and Intellectual Property Law. The decision to recognize Turkey as a candidate for EU membership was taken by the European Council in December 1999, and accession negotiations were formally opened in October 2005.

Elena SANTIAGO CID, Director General of the CEN CENELEC Management Centre in Brussels explains the significance of TSE’s membership of CEN and CENELEC:

“The accession of the Turkish Standards Institution as a full member of both CEN and CENELEC is a very positive and important development, both for Turkey and for the European Standardization system. It means that Turkey will be better placed to participate fully in the European Single Market, because there is a clear commitment to the acceptance of European Standards (ENs) and the elimination of any conflicting national standards.”

“On behalf of CEN and CENELEC, I very much welcome the participation of TSE in our structures, and I am convinced that our Turkish friends will make a positive contribution to the continuing success of the European Standardization system in the coming years.”

Media Contact:

Ben Carlin

Communication Unit, CEN-CENELEC Management Centre

Tel. +32 2 550 08 32

E-mail

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 32* 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

* including Turkey (as from 1 January 2012)

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 32 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

* including Turkey (as from 1 January 2012)

ABOUT TSE

The Turkish Standards Institution (Türk Standardlari Enstitüsü) was set up in 1954 as an autonomous institute affiliated to the Union of Turkish Chambers of Commerce. In 1960, the TSE acquired the status of a legal entity administered under the provisions of Civil Law.

The TSE has been a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) since 1955, and of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) since 1956. It has been an affiliate of both CEN and CENELEC since January 2008.

The TSE has its headquarters in Ankara. For more information, please visit: http://global.tse.org.tr