European Standardisation must serve the internal market

Brussels, 23th June 2010

Brussels, 22th June

On 23rd June, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee will hold a public hearing in the European Parliament to discuss the future of European standardisation.

The European Standardization System (ESS) is considered a central element in the delivery of the single European market. Studies at macroeconomic and microeconomic levels in various European countries and around the world have demonstrated the clear benefits of standards and standardization to the wider economy.

Malcolm Harbour, Chairman of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee said: "European standards are crucial for the internal market and one of the most important building blocks to ensure our competitiveness on the world stage. They also play an instrumental role in promoting consumer safety, driving innovation and delivering energy efficient solutions. The committee's report will give the Parliament an opportunity to play an active role in the future direction of European policy. We will be looking for new ways to make the system work more efficiently, to harness the expertise of national standards bodies, to make the system more transparent, and to ensure that small businesses and consumer representatives play their full role."

"A word like standardisation doesn't sound sexy at all," says Edvard Kozusnik MEP, the Rapporteur on the Parliament's standardisation report . "It's true that standards might harm enterpreneurs as well as help them. In the EU, we have at least forty directives on tractors, including a directive on rear mirrors or sweepers. On the other hand, thanks to European standardisation we will probably soon have a single charger for all the mobile phone which might be very useful for the consumers."

Edvard Kozusnik, the Rapporteur on the standardisation report, said: "Standardisation might and should be a key supporter of open markets, free trade and interoperability on a global level. However, let's bear in mind that the national standardisation bodies are the very source and powerhouse of innovations which are usually brought from below, from individual states. Any future system of European standardisation must first of all serve the citizens and support innovations and competitiveness of the European business."

The hearing, chaired by the IMCO chairman Malcolm Harbour and the Rapporteur Edvard Kozusnik, will welcome the Commissioner for Industry and Enterpreneurship Antonio Tajani as well as many representatives of standardisation institutions, consumers organisations and business stakeholders.

ENDS

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