Orgalime comments on COM(2011) 315 final of 01/06/2011 on European Standardisation
Published: 16 September 2011
Policies & Issues: Internal Market - Compliance, Standards & Enforcement
Standardisation serves different goals than law. Orgalime supports strengthening the New Approach and extending its scope to help meet challenges such as climate change, sustainable resource use, etc. (Whereas 12), as long as the distinction between legislation and standards does not become blurred. It is essential to remember that only 20% of standards support companies to comply with European legislation and policies.
Participation in standardisation work is as 'appropriate' as stakeholders’ genuine interest and degree of expertise dedicated to it. In Article 5, the requirement to establish an 'appropriate representation' of stakeholders by categories appears unnecessarily bureaucratic and may end up as counterproductive and deter the voluntary participation of businesses.
What standardisation needs is an active involvement by competent stakeholders.