The amendment foresees that, when the Commission requests standards from these organisations, key decisions in the standards-development process are taken by the national standardisation bodies from the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA)
The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and EU Member States on the amendment to the European Standardisation Regulation, proposed by the Commission as part of the Standardisation Strategy presented on 2 February 2022. Trilogue negotiations have now concluded, paving the way for final approval of the legal text by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, said: “This agreement will make European standards fit for the green and digital transitions. Ensuring that data is protected in artificial intelligence or ensuring a mobile device to be secure from hacking, rely on standards. So they must be in line with our democratic values. In the same vein, we need standards for the roll-out of important investment projects, like hydrogen or batteries. And we need to valorise innovation investment by providing EU companies with an important first-mover advantage.”
Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said: “I am pleased with the swift conclusion of the negotiations only eight months after the Commission proposal. With the agreement reached today, we are taking an important step in putting the EU Standardisation Strategy into practice. We are strengthening the integrity of the European standardisation process, putting the national standardisation bodies in the EU, their local stakeholder communities and the European interest at the centre. This will help reinforce Europe's role as a global standard-setter.”
The Standardisation Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 sets the framework for the European standardisation process, allowing the Commission to mandate the three European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs) – CEN, CENELEC and ETSI – to develop European standards in support of EU legislation. The amendment foresees that, when the Commission requests standards from these organisations, key decisions in the standards-development process are taken by the national standardisation bodies from the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). These national standardisation bodies are best placed to ensure an inclusive process with balanced stakeholder consultation and with due respect for EU values. This is particularly important in strategic areas, such as cybersecurity or hydrogen. The three European Standardisation Organisations will need to put in place administrative and good governance principles, which will enhance the openness, transparency and inclusiveness of the standardisation processes. In particular, they will draw on the expertise from all relevant parties, including industry, SMEs, civil organisations and academia.
