As the European Commission launches the Clean Industrial Deal, a transformative initiative aimed at accelerating the green transition across Europe’s industrial sector, two words come to mind: sustainable and competitive.
Few industries have had the luxury of being able to accomplish both, but this initiative promises to be a game changer and create better conditions for the increased demand of clean technologies and more sustainable manufacturing.
With over 2221 standards ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, and another 5761 standards dedicated to promoting sustainable industrialization, CEN and CENELEC are far ahead of the curve in developing technical standards with exactly these focuses in mind.
Thanks to their extensive network of experts working together in a variety of Technical Committees (TCs), CEN and CENELEC are committed to leveraging the strength of the European Standardization System to help helping the European Commission lead in sectors that are long overdue for some revamping. The appeal of using standards to foster clean technologies is that they are a dynamic and flexible tools, meaning they can keep pace with optimizing the system without losing quality and safety.
Take for example CENELEC’s TC 82, which develops European Standards for systems of and components for photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into electrical energy and for all elements in the entire photovoltaic energy system. Some of the standards developed by this TC deal with EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility), Machinery, CPD (Construction Products Directive) and LVD (Low Voltage Directive) directives. CLC/TC 82 especially develops standards in areas where there are special European concerns (such as the EN IEC 60904 series on photovoltaic devices), and therefore is already well positioned to support the Clean Industrial Deal by the time it gains its own momentum.
For Europe to be able to compete with other regions of the world and position European industry at the forefront, CEN and CENELEC will continue promoting European values in international standardization work and bring together all relevant stakeholders to define and agree on common solutions which address present and future sustainability challenges. Standardization plays an important role in meeting EU targets set by the Clean Industrial Deal by promoting best practices and providing tools to optimize the infrastructure required for these much needed clean technologies.
By further harmonizing standards for clean technologies, emissions reductions, and circular economy practices, the EU can strengthen its position as a global leader in green industry, while enhancing the competitiveness of European businesses on the world stage. CEN and CENELEC will play a key role in the Clean Industrial Deal, coordinating the development and implementation of new standards, while ensuring Europe is not left behind in the foresight of valuable clean technologies.
This ambitious step forward underscores not only the EU’s (and CEN and CENELEC’s) commitment to achieving green transitionary targets but also ensures that industrial progress and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
For more information, read CEN and CENELEC’s declaration on how to recommit, transform and strengthen industry using European standards for sustainable net zero ambitions leveraged by champion emerging technologies.
