Commission seeks views on future of European Standardisation 1025/2012
The EC public consultation on the standardisation regulation 1025/2012 is ending
Some insights:
Speed and responsiveness to innovation
Timeliness: Building on their existing framework, CEN & CENELEC are developing new types of deliverables such as European Agile Specifications (EAS), which can provide agile, consensus-based technical references within the formal ESO framework, particularly valuable in emerging areas where full European Standards (ENs) may take longer to develop.
Attention should also go to the complete timeframe including the development of the standardisation request and the citation process. HAS Advisors shall be involved during the whole duration of the process.
The process of using dated references shall be improved and managed without a citation burden and without reconsidering all clauses of the standards.
Flexibility: Standards developed by actors beyond the existing ESOs
CEN and CENELEC are open to strengthening partnerships with fora and consortia developing their own specifications (SDOs) and are looking into possible avenues for collaboration but always within a clear, transparent, and rules-based framework. The inclusive, consensus-based, and transparent model that underpins CEN and CENELEC remains essential to the credibility and success of European standardization. To uphold this, CEN and CENELEC are further opening their system to constructive cooperation, positioning themselves as a true “European standardization hub”, that is a central integrator of high-quality standards content developed in line with European interests, values, and regulatory principles.
Access to standards
Generally speaking, CEN and CENELEC agree to grant access free of charge to the elements of harmonised standards which provide presumption of conformity. At the same time this impacts the foundations of their business model. It therefore requires a balanced approach, underpinned by dialogue, gradual implementation, and safeguards to preserve the sustainability and high quality of the consensus-based European Standardization System.
The preservation of intellectual property rights within standards remains a cornerstone of the European standardization model. Far from being an obstacle to transparency, copyright is a prerequisite for it as it ensures quality, traceability, and long-term sustainability. It protects the intellectual contributions of experts and industry, underpins investment in technical excellence and ensures that European standards remain globally recognized, harmonised and implementable.
Strengthening international influence through ISO and IEC participation
Through the Vienna and Frankfurt Agreements with ISO-CEN and IEC-CENELEC, Europe has the unique ability to give priority to cooperation with ISO and IEC provided that international standards meet European legislative and market requirements. Integrating global standards into the European system through the Vienna and Frankfurt agreements helps avoid duplication and fragmentation. This is evident in widely adopted standards such as the ISO/IEC 17000 series on Conformity Assessment. Importantly, the agreements also create efficiency and save resources for the stakeholders, as they can contribute their expertise and influence the outcomes through a single route. Industry needs needs worldwide aligned standards.
Europe is playing a role in the international standards development assuring a majority of the IEC secretariats and chairs and being well represented in the IEC board and IEC SMB.
Conclusion: Europe’s standardization system works — modernization should strengthen it, not replace it.