The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) have both decided to grant full membership status to ISRM, the National Standards Body of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This change will take effect on 1 July 2012, and represents an important step towards the full participation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYRoM) in the European Single Market.

ISRM has already been cooperating closely with CEN and CENELEC for several years. It has been affiliated to CEN since July 2003, and to CENELEC since March 2005. The application of ISRM to become a full member of CEN and CENELEC was formally accepted by the General Assemblies of both organisations, which met in Albena (Bulgaria) this week.

Following the accession of ISRM, both CEN and CENELEC will have national members in 33 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 three EU candidate countries (Croatia, Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was granted candidate country status for EU membership in 2005. The country has an Accession Partnership agreement with the EU, which was adopted by the European Council in February 2008. The European Commission decided in October 2009 to recommend the opening of accession negotiations.

Speaking at the European Standardization Summit in Albena (Bulgaria) on 7 June, Mrs Elena SANTIAGO CID, Director General of CEN and CENELEC, said: “The accession of ISRM as a full member of both CEN and CENELEC is a very positive development, not only for the European Standardization System but also for the economy of the Balkan region and the whole of south-eastern Europe. It means that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia can become fully integrated into the European Single Market.”

Mr Ljupcho DAVCHEV, Director of ISRM, said: “We are very happy with the acceptance of IRSM’s full membership in CEN and CENELEC. This is an important step forward for all our stakeholders and we will do our utmost to take on our Membership responsibilities.”

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre, Avenue Marnix 17, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

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Notes

CEN (European Committee for Standardization) and CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) are officially recognised organisations responsible for developing and defining standards at European level. These standards set out specifications and procedures in relation to a wide range of products and services.

The members of CEN and CENELEC are the National Standards Bodies and National Electrotechnical Committees of 33* European countries including all of the EU member states plus three countries of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) and three EU candidate countries (Croatia, Turkey, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*). (* as from 1 July 2012)

European Standards (ENs) are developed through a process of collaboration among experts nominated by business and industry, research institutes, consumer and environmental organisations and other societal stakeholders. These standards are accepted and recognised throughout all of the countries covered by CEN and CENELEC members.

CEN and CENELEC work to promote the international harmonisation of standards in the framework of technical cooperation agreements with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

For more information please see: www.cencenelec.eu

ISRM was established as a public institution in March 2003. The Institute has its head office in Skopje, which is the capital of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

ISRM has been affiliated to CEN since July 2003, and to CENELEC since March 2005. It is a member of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and an associate member of IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

For more information please see: www.isrm.gov.mk

Media contact:

Ben Carlin

Communication Unit, CEN-CENELEC Management Centre

T: +32 2 550 08 32

bcarlin@cencenelec.eu