Regulation 1025/2012 on European Standardization is the key legal framework that facilitates the effective public-private partnership between CEN and CENELEC and the European Union/EFTA. Regulation 1025/2012 is currently undergoing evaluation by the European Commission, including a public consultation via a questionnaire that took place on the Have Your Say platform from 2 May 2024 to 25 July 2024.
CEN and CENELEC emphasize the importance of the regulation and discuss its impact on key aspects of the European Standardization System. Specifically, in this evaluation, CEN and CENELEC:
- Emphasize that for the past 12 years, Regulation 1025/2012 on European Standardization has supported CEN and CENELEC in providing an open, transparent, and robust system that develops high-quality standards that support the European Single Market.
- Note that when assessing Regulation 1025/2012, one should differentiate between the regulation itself and its implementation. The latter is subject to improvements, and if shortcomings are identified, the European Commission should consider an amendment rather than a full revision of the Regulation.
- Reiterate that the Vienna Agreement and the Frankfurt Agreement are the practices that ensure European members continue to have a pioneering role in international standardization.
- Note that standardization is a technical and voluntary matter that should not cross the line into legislation.
CEN and CENELEC welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on this vital piece of legislation that has continued to enable the contribution of European standards to European policy objectives and facilitates the ability of European standards to act as a cornerstone of the European Single Market.
To supplement answers given in the questionnaire, CEN and CENELEC have prepared a position paper elaborating on the topics within the consultation. This position paper also includes an annex with the opinions of the Industry Advisory Forum, an independent advisory body that provides a platform for a direct dialogue on standardization between CEN and CENELEC and industry.
