HZN marked its “coming of age”

HZN was established as an independent non-profit public institution on 1 July 2005, after the reorganisation of the State Office for Standardization and Metrology. Furthermore, HZN's anniversary celebration is linked to two significant events: the 10^th anniversary of Croatia's accession to the European Union as its 28^th member (1 July 2013) and the 30^th anniversary of the Single Market. 

Welcoming his guests, HZN’s Director-General Igor Božičević gave an overview of HZN’s past, as well as its future activities, such as the adoption and translation of the new generation of Eurocodes, adapting the Repository of Croatian Standards to SMEs, strengthening cooperation with state administration bodies, especially in the field of harmonised legislation, and the revision of HZN bylaws. “Increasing visibility is one of the activities on which HZN has been working intensively. Our goal is to provide professional support and a platform for all those who can contribute to standardization processes, but also those who need standards to place their products and innovations on the regional and global markets more quickly”, he said.

He added that since this year HZN’s Repository has new, significant subscribers, such as the University Computing Centre (SRCE), Rimac technology d.o.o., the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture in Osijek and the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Zagreb.  Other subscribers include professional chambers, such as the Croatian Chamber of Civil Engineers, the Croatian Chamber of Mechanical Engineers, the Croatian Chamber of Architects and the Croatian Chamber of Electrical Engineers.

The audience was also addressed by the Chairman of HZN’s Administrative Board Hrvoje Bujanović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.

Gabriela Ehrlich, Director of Communications at IEC, said: “We have many challenges in common. We need to adopt new ways of working, for example by improving online standards development and developing standards for the digital world. We need to be more nimble while respecting consensus and ensuring the quality of our work. We look to our members, including HZN, to involve all national stakeholders and encourage active participation to ensure that all national needs are taken into account and to make standards the most relevant possible, everywhere. We need to involve the next generation of experts, and we encourage HZN to send young persons to participate in the IEC Young Professionals Programme. Many of the participants are motivated to remain actively involved in standardization and conformity assessment work.”

Sergio Mujica, ISO Secretary-General, addressed the audience by video message. “Over the years, HZN has been instrumental in accelerating the growth and development that Croatians have benefitted from, by prioritizing, promoting and participating in standards. With active participation in standardization activities, HZN, is continuing to put standards at the heart of the Croatia’s future growth and development. From all of us across the ISO family, congratulations on 18 years of making lives easier, safer and better, through standards”, he said.

Andreea Gulacsi, Director Policy and Partnerships at CEN and CENELEC, delivered a presentation on the European Standardization Strategy and the CEN and CENELEC Strategy 2030. After the presentation, she presented Director-General Igor Božičević with an award plaque on the occasion of HZN’s 18th anniversary. She emphasised CEN and CENELEC’s commitment to working diligently with the European Commission to make the European Standardization System fit for the future and able to support Europe’s green and digital transitions and long-term resilience. Underlining the importance of national standardization bodies, she congratulated HZN for its contribution to European Standardization and expressed hope for continuing working together to the benefit of all citizens and businesses, in Croatia and in the rest of Europe.

Ultan Mulligan, Chief Services Officer at ETSI, held a presentation on the collaboration between ETSI and the ETSI NSOs/NSBs and amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012. He congratulated HZN on behalf of ETSI on 18 years of representing Croatia in European and international standardisation and said that ETSI was looking forward to continued collaboration with HZN as a National Standardisation Body in the European Union.

Presentations were also held by Croatian standardization experts: Igor Župančić, Chair of HZN Expert Council, and Marino Kelava, Fiditas, Secretary of IEC/SC 31J.

The Chair of technical committee HZN/TO 548, Structural Eurocodes, prof. dr. Damir Varevac, presented a new generation of Eurocodes and their historical development. “Each structure must meet certain basic requirements, prescribed by legislation and specified in standards, such as mechanical resistance and stability, as well as usability. Failure to meet these requirements may lead to major material damage, injuries, and loss of life. Therefore, a complete system of standards is essential for the safety and reliability of buildings we build. The public became aware of this after the recent earthquakes in the Republic of Croatia, when many structures were damaged. However, it should be noted that earthquakes are extraordinary and only one of numerous stresses that can endanger a structure. We should not forget that Eurocodes are not only design rules and procedures but also cover standards for materials, products, test methods, performance, and technical approvals. Thanks to Eurocodes, our structures are more economical, safer, and more reliable, and designers and contractors have access to a market of 450 million inhabitants”, Professor Varevac said.

Author: Mirjana Fijolić

Collaboration in the preparation of the article: Ana Marija Boljanović

Proofreading: Ivana Canosa

Translation: Tatjana Majić

Photographers: Karla Goleš and Boris Opašić