Communication on harmonised standards: enhancing transparency and legal certainty for a fully functioning Single Market

Summary:

On 22 November 2018 the European Commission presented an action plan to enhance efficiency, transparency and legal certainty in the development of harmonised standards for a fully functioning Single Market.

Further information:

Standardisation plays an important role in eliminating technical barriers to trade. Standards help to ensure that complementary products and services are interoperable, facilitate the introduction of innovative products and ultimately build trust of European consumers in the quality of products and services offered in the Union.

A European standardisation system that functions well contributes to overall economic growth, supports innovation and global competitiveness of the European industry. It also helps to ensure that the levels of safety, health and consumer and environmental protection set out in Union legislation are met in practice. Since it entered into force in 2013, Regulation 1025/2012 ('the Standardisation Regulation') has provided the main legal framework for the European standardisation system including the division of responsibilities and obligations of the actors involved.

This Communication provides an overview of the functioning of the European standardisation system and takes stock of the initiatives launched in recent years to support the implementation of the Standardisation Regulation, also in the light of the relevant case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The Communication explains the actions taken by the Commission to further improve the system and also includes specific actions that the Commission will take in the immediate future in order to enhance the efficiency, transparency and legal certainty for the actors involved in the development of harmonised standards.

See also:

• Communication on the Single Market in a changing world: a unique asset in need of renewed political commitment
• Communication on the Investment Plan for Europe: stock-taking and next steps

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 22/11/2018: Commission acts to make standardisation in the Single Market more efficient http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-6491_en.htm

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