Press Release , 7 October 2013

CEN and CENELEC provide clarification on standards-related aspects of issues to be addressed during EU-US trade talks

In view of the fact that issues related to the acceptance and recognition of standards are of key importance in the context of trade talks between the and the , CEN and CENELEC have provided the with clarification on the differences between the European and American systems for developing and adopting standards, and the valuable role played by the international standardization organizations (ISO and the IEC).

The European Union and the United States have started negotiations with the aim of reaching agreement on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). According to the European Commission, the TTIP talks should lead to the conclusion of an ambitious agreement on technical barriers to trade, which may include the alignment and/or mutual acceptance of certain standards. This is necessary for opening-up trade which will bring benefits to both sides in terms of growth and jobs.

The Director General of CEN and CENELEC, Elena Santiago Cid, has written to the European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Vice-President (responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship), and Commissioner Karel De Gucht (responsible for Trade). In her open letter, she highlights the on-going cooperation between the European and American standardization systems, and underlines CEN and CENELEC's joint commitment to promoting the international alignment of standards.

The European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC and ETSI) are determined to advance transatlantic cooperation on standards-related issues, and regularly engage in dialogue with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In her open letter, Mrs Santiago refers to the cooperation between the European and American standardization communities that has already been initiated in specific sectors, such as 'Smart Grids' for the transmission of electrical power, and electric vehicles (among others).

The Director General of CEN and CENELEC emphasizes the fact that European Standards are developed in an open process which ensures the active engagement of industry and other stakeholders. "Many companies from around the globe have offices in Europe and actively contribute to the development of European Standards," she writes.

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CEN-CENELEC Management Centre, Avenue Marnix 17, 1000 Brussels, T: +32 2 550 0811 – F: +32 2 550 0819 – [email protected] – www.cencenelec.eu

Regarding the relationship between regulation and standardization at European level, Mrs Santiago explains that: "The link between European legislation and European standards is clear and predictable; it enables all stakeholders to know in advance which standards are likely to be referenced in EU legislation."

CEN and CENELEC continue to pursue their long-standing cooperation with the international standards bodies ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). The Director General of CEN and CENELEC notes that "no new European Standard is developed if an international standard, published by ISO or IEC, meets the requirements of the European market."

"In CEN and CENELEC, we fully appreciate and respect the differences between the European and US standardization systems," writes Mrs Santiago. "We are committed to developing efficient and consistent mechanisms to facilitate transatlantic cooperation on standards- related matters. These will support an expected increase in transatlantic trade flows. We work towards this ambitious goal in full coordination with our US counterparts, based on a shared vision that both sides will benefit from the exercise. Success will come from working on common strengths rather than highlighting differences."

The Open Letter from CEN and CENELEC to European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Vice-President Antonio Tajani and Commissioner Karel De Gucht regarding standardization-related aspects of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations between the EU and the USA is available on the CEN-CENELEC website: ftp://ftp.cencenelec.eu/EN/News/Letters/CEN-CENELEC-Open-Letter-20131004.pdf

CEN and CENELEC have produced a Position Paper on EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) – Technical Barriers to Trade – Initial EU Position Paper, which can also be found on the CEN-CENELEC website: http://www.cencenelec.eu/News/Policy_Opinions/Pages/default.aspx

Notes

The decision to launch negotiations with the aim of reaching agreement on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) was announced by United States President Barack Obama, European Council President and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso on 13 February 2013.

The first round of negotiations took place in Washington DC from 8 to 12 July 2013. The second round of negotiations were due to take place in Brussels from 7 to 11 October. However, these meetings have been cancelled as a consequence of the on-going shutdown of the Federal Government of the United States.

For more information, please see: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/in-focus/ttip (2/3)

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre, Avenue Marnix 17, 1000 Brussels, Belgium T: +32 2 550 0811 – F: +32 2 550 0819 – [email protected] – www.cencenelec.eu

CEN (European Committee for Standardization) and CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) are recognised by the EU as European Standardization Organizations responsible for developing and defining standards at European level. These standards set out specifications and procedures (e.g. for measuring and testing) in relation to a wide range of materials, products and services.

The members of CEN and CENELEC are the National Standards Bodies and National Electrotechnical Committees of 33 European countries including all of the EU member states plus 3 EFTA countries (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) as well as 2 EU candidate countries (Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).

European Standards (ENs) are developed through a process of collaboration among experts nominated by business and industry, research institutes, consumer and environmental organisations and other stakeholders. These standards are accepted and recognised in all of the countries covered by CEN and CENELEC members. When correctly applied, they contribute to enhancing safety, improving quality, facilitating cross-border trade and strengthening the European Single Market.

CEN and CENELEC work to promote the international alignment of standards in the framework of technical cooperation agreements with ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

CEN collaborates with ISO in the framework of the Vienna Agreement (signed in 1991), whilst CENELEC collaborates with the IEC in the framework of the Dresden Agreement (signed in 1996). The result of this collaboration is that 42% of European Standards (and other technical documents) published by CEN and CENELEC are identical to international standards published by ISO or the IEC (31% of CEN standards are identical to ISO standards, 69% of CENELEC standards are identical to IEC standards).

For more information, please see: www.cencenelec.eu

Media contact

Ben Carlin Communication Unit, CEN & CENELEC T: +32 2 550 0832 / +32 486 660033 (mobile) [email protected] Twitter: @CENCLCpress / @Standards4EU

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CEN-CENELEC Management Centre, Avenue Marnix 17, 1000 Brussels, Belgium T: +32 2 550 0811 – F: +32 2 550 0819 – [email protected] – www.cencenelec.eu