Electra is an expert group that aims to assess the EU Electrotechnical Engineering Sector’s competitive development and long-term outlook. The presence of Dr Ulrich Spindler, CENELEC President, and Elena Santiago, CENELEC Director General, to the very first meeting of the Electra expert group shows the primary role standardization has to play in the development of European industry.

(Brussels) - Co-chaired by Vice President Günter Verheugen and Orgalime’s President Prof. Dr. Edward Krubasik, the Electra expert group held their first meeting on 3 July 2007. Born from ORGALIME (The European Engineering Industries Association representing the interests of the Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Metalworking & Metal Articles Industries) and the European Commission’s joint initiative, Electra aims to increase the competitiveness of the European electrotechnical industry by means of proposals and enhancement measures for competitiveness, in support of the Lisbon Agenda’s objective of growth and jobs creation and in line with sustainable development in Europe.

Made up of about 20 members, Electra comprises senior representatives from different areas of the electrotechnical engineering industry at the levels of small and medium-sized enterprises and prominent European companies and federations, and senior European Commission officials in the electrotechnical sector. The European Commission, the European Standardization Organisation CENELEC and ORGALIME are also part of the Steering group, and it is the first time ever that a European Standardization Organisation participates in such a group.

Since the signature of their Memorandum of Understanding in December 2005, ORGALIME and CENELEC have further cemented their relations and co-operation, and have increased coordination in all areas where their functions and activities are complementary and mutually supportive. CENELEC’s participation to Electra upon ORGALIME’s invitation should be regarded as a step further within the context of their collaboration, and it is also the living proof that standardization has a primary role to play on the industrial scene.

Standards are indeed a key tool to foster competitiveness and innovation, making state-of-the-art technology available not only to major businesses but also to small and medium-sized enterprises. By ensuring interoperability, safety and quality of electrotechnical products and services, CENELEC standards open new horizons, new markets to European industry and ensure that the European Market’s dynamics are in constant motion, fostering the Lisbon Agenda’s objectives of growth and jobs.

Electra has set up three working groups on energy efficiency, investments on infrastructure for the support of the electrotechnical industry, and market access in relation with standards and regulation. Prof. Dr. Krubasik expressly requested that, in the global context within which the EU Electrotechnical Engineering Sector operates, the report be action oriented and comprised concrete proposals.

And according to Vice-President Verheugen, “while policy makers are responsible for creating a better framework to create growth and jobs, Industry has to take actions and implement decisions to make it happen.” An efficient co-regulation tool for best regulatory practices, standardization heads the same way. The expert group will meet three more times before they issue their report, in spring next year. And CENELEC fully commits to reaching the objectives set by the Electra initiative.