The European Parliament Internal market and consumer protection committee recently hosted many experts and stakeholders, together with Commissioner Tajani, in a public hearing held in view of the drafting of an own initiative report on the future of European standardisation. If you were unable to access the live broadcast of the hearing, there is an overview below and you can obtain the programme, background documents, speaking notes and presentations from:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/hearingsCom.do?language=EN&body=IMCO
or you can watch the hearing from:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/wps-europarl-internet/frd/vod/player?eventCode=20100623-0900-COMMITTEE-IMCO&language=en&byLeftMenu=researchcommittee&category=COMMITTEE&format=wmv#anchor1
The first part of the hearing focused on the challenges faced by European standardisation in a globalised world. The second part focused on standardisation as a tool to support public and societal interests. The third part focused on the strategic importance of standardisation for EU competitiveness.
The rapporteur, Mr Edvard Kožušník, emphasised the importance of standardisation as a tool to develop the internal market, increase European competitiveness, facilitate world trade and support the increasing needs of European legislation and policies.
Vice-President Antonio Tajani commended the European standardisation model and gave an overview of the Commission's plans to revise the current regulatory frame-work building on the successes of the existing system. The Commission will submit a "Standardisation package'' in December 2010 which will consist of a legislative proposal replacing the three existing legal acts governing European standardisation and an umbrella Communication which will set standardisation policy for the next decade.
Return to Summer 2010 Committee e-newsletter
