The ETUC participated in January 2022 in the European Commission’s targeted consultation on ‘Standardization Governance’, which aimed at gathering stakeholders’ views on good governance principles in the European standardization system (ESS).
In its reply on whether the decision-making process in the ESS provided for sufficient checks and balances to uphold European interests, the ETUC raised its concern with the current primacy principle of international standards and their transposition process, as it does not allow an appropriate evaluation of the impacts of ISO/IEC standards in the EU internal market, nor a compliance check with EU laws, values, and principles.
The ETUC further stressed that if the standards to support EU legislations are to be developed at international level, the requirements of Regulation (EU) 1025/2012 need to be fulfilled if the standards are to be cited in the Official Journal. These requirements include the representation and effective participation of all relevant stakeholders, including trade unions, in the development of the standards.
Finally, although the ETUC recognises the efforts made by the ESOs, essentially CEN and CENELEC, towards increased inclusiveness, more could be done at national and international level.
For more information, please contact Natalia GIORGI
