Standards and Research : a key issue for European Competitiveness Ir André PIRLET CEN-CENELEC Management Centre
Contents Who we are What we offer European Standards CEN-CENELEC Workshop Agreements Our international partners Sustainable urban environment & the SABE Group Integrated Approach, Cooperation with Research and improved European Competitiveness CEN-CENELEC 2010-2
What are CEN and CENELEC? The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) whose 31 members are the National Standardization Bodies and National Electrotechnical Committees of the EU and EFTA countries plus Croatia CEN and CENELEC are international non-profit organisations, incorporated under Belgian law 2 Counsellors (European Commission, EFTA) CEN-CENELEC Management Centre (CCMC), Brussels Recognized by the European Authorities as two of the three competent standardization bodies for the EU (see Directive 98/34/EC), the third one being ETSI (Telecommunications) CEN-CENELEC 2010-3
The main deliverables European Standards (EN) Over 17 000 ENs exist today, with more than 1 000 new documents being published every year European Standards are, from a legal point of view, voluntary in their use CEN Workshop Agreements (CWA) Consensus-based documents, directly made by the stakeholders Often used in innovative areas, e.g. environment or information technology CEN-CENELEC 2010-4
Laws, standards & private specifications Law Mandatory Regulations Voluntary Standards CEN Workshop Agreement Professional good practice, corporate specs, etc. Public Private CEN-CENELEC 2010-5
What is a standard? A standard is a document established by all interested parties (e.g. also yourself) reflecting consensus In addition, a European Standard is automatically transposed in national standards and conflicting national standards have to be withdrawn European Standards are, from a legal point of view, voluntary in their use, but at the same time unavoidable in practice A tool to support the Directive, with details & testing methods e.g. Pressure Equipment Directive CEN-CENELEC 2010-6
The drafting process of an EN Project Proposal Draft Standard Circulation for comments Technical Committee Working Group Technical Committee National Standards Body USER Weighted vote European Standard National implementation Timeframe: 36 Months 6 Months CEN-CENELEC 2010-7
The CEN-CENELEC Workshop Agreement The CEN-CENELEC Workshop Agreement (CWA) represents the consensus of identified stakeholders Anybody interested can join the relevant CEN-CENELEC Workshop (including anyone outside Europe) direct participation A public process Rules are very simple (non-bureaucratic) Workshops are fast (5 months is the record, 12-15 months average!) The CEN-CENELEC Workshop Agreement shall not conflict with ENs CEN-CENELEC 2010-8
Different steps for a CWA Business Plan Kick-off Meeting Drafting and adoption of CWA Publication of CWA TIMEFRAME: 6 18 MONTHS Describing Scope Objectives Financing Schedule Confirming Business Plan : Rules of the Workshop Financing Chairmanship Secretariat Consensus process Workshop participants Public consultation, as appropriate Announced by CEN-CENELEC National Members CEN-CENELEC 2010-9
Our international partners ISO & IEC Main differences CEN-CENELEC and ISO-IEC ISO & IEC work at worldwide level Consensus building process on ISO & IEC standards must take account of all regional interests No automatic transposition of ISO & IEC standard at national level Collaboration agreements between CEN and ISO (Vienna Agreement) and CENELEC and IEC (Dresden Agreement) avoid duplication of work CEN-CENELEC 2010-10
Sustainable urban environment, the SABE Group & certification a)several useful standards already exist or are being prepared : full info : www.cen.eu/cen/sectors/sectors/environment/pag es/default.aspx b)for missing standards : best is first to liaise with the CEN SABE : Strategic Advisory Board for the Environment, for a coordinated approach c) For confidence in new technologies : not just standards but also verification/certification with the use of the ETV System promoted within ETAP (Enviro Technology Action Plan) CEN-CENELEC 2010-11
The Integrated Approach Difficulties Standard R & D Legislation Complementary Measures Ambitious objectives CEN-CENELEC 2010-12
Cooperation with Research (I) Frequently, standardization is a key element for ensuring an efficient and optimal implementation and exploitation of the results of applied research. Modern standardization does not inhibit, but even fosters innovation! Alongside formal standardization, we have other flexible solutions (CEN Workshops..) for a tailored approach We have a Strategic Group called STAIR : Standardization, Innovation and Research. CEN-CENELEC 2010-13
Cooperation with Research (II) We advise in most cases to start the standardization process relatively early in a research project, and to include part of the cost in the project budget! CEN, and its Members, can participate in research projects: as partner, member of the Advisory Board.. Standardization has a useful structuring effect in the lifetime of a project, and a WP standardization is generally highly valued by the evaluators! CEN-CENELEC 2010-14
Reinforcing European Competitiveness (I) a) Reinforcing European Competitiveness is a must for a prosperous Europe and happy citizens b) Several global projects must contribute, some at medium term, others more long term c) We therefore recommend the use of the integrated approach, for maximum efficiency! d) Standards and research projects will contribute to reaching these objectives, case by case CEN-CENELEC 2010-15
Reinforcing European Competitiveness (II) e) An ambitious Workshop like this one should not just help to clarify the issues but also envisage the CURE, aiming to contribute to long lasting beneficial impacts and real solutions! f) Only well conducted projects will have real chances of success! g) And these projects must be driven by genuine stakeholders, not by Consultants or other Facilitators! h) A sustainable well thought urban environment can help maintain European Competitiveness! CEN-CENELEC 2010-16
Thank you! Standards valuable market support for innovative technologies for goods and services : do not hesitate to contact us! apirlet@cencenelec.eu www.cen.eu www.cenelec.eu CEN-CENELEC 2010-17