Standardisation in support of Better Regulation

Ralf Lottes, Secretary General of ECOS, the voice of environmental NGOs in standardisation draws our attention to the newly defined contribution of standardisation to better regulation at European level. The Commission has published in February a report by an expert group, which updates orientations for standardisation, in keeping with EU2020 and takes on new challenges: "standards can address the challenges of climate change, energy, sustainable development and changing consumer needs and expectations". In reaction to the report, the ECOS press release under the title "Environmental groups welcome calls for greener standards and more balanced participation" develops how standards can best be used to promote the general interest. The European Standardization System (ESS) has been a central element in the delivery of the single European market, in particular, through the use of Directives in key areas under the 'New Approach' policy, integrated into the New Legislative Framework.