Brussels, 3 July 2007 - Open a newspaper, read a trade journal, or turn on the television: it is clear the world is changing rapidly. News travels faster, markets are more flexible and adaptable, and currency travels further faster, and with fewer restrictions. At the 3rd Annual CEN/CENELEC Meeting in Lemesos Cyprus on 27 June the focus of the day was strategies for European Standardization to not just meet these developing and future challenges, but to anticipate them. This all-day meeting was an important step in strengthening the common values and principles of the European Standardization System.
The morning session on 'Standardization, research and innovation' was chaired by CENELEC President Dr Ulrich Spindler. Presentations showed how the European Union, through its 7th Framework, is supporting the European Standardization Organizations efforts to support innovation. Building on this initiative it was demonstrated that standardization provides innovations with market access, and significant work is being done to put a strong system into place to facilitate this.
The afternoon session, chaired by CEN President Dr Dr Juan Lopéz Agüí, focused on the ‘Future Landscape of European Standardization’ during which the results of a two year inquiry into future cooperation between CEN and CENELEC, were presented. The Chairmen of the Working Groups presented much positive and insightful information. These findings served as the basis for some important decisions made by the collective.
A decision was taken to establish a European Standardization System Group tasked with achieving more streamlined rules for the development of European Standards. An additional concern will be the creation of a mechanism to solve the technical issues that arise from the standardization of emerging and converging technologies. By ensuring the cost efficient and effective use of resources in delivering European Standards and other European standardization products more efficiently in order to support market innovation, achieve both in new areas including converging technologies and a consistency in standards development.
A further important consideration is raising the profile of the European Standardization System, both in Europe and abroad. A committee to consider external issues will be established and a new position was created, that of European Standardization System Officer, to lead this team.
The European Standardization System must be primed to respond to, and support innovation, as well as seek common ground for a more integrated approach to standardization. The decisions taken at this meeting will go a long way to ensuring the continued relevance and effectiveness of the European Standardization System And provide a united response to the challenge of supporting the long-term competitiveness of Europe in the global economy.
