Standardisation: broader use in Community policy

In adopting the report by Mr Erhard MEIER (PSE,A) on the broader use of standardization in Community policy, Parliament noted that European standards are increasingly replacing national standards and saw this as strengthening the internal market and the competitive position of European suppliers in world markets. Parliament advocated close cooperation between the European and international standardization organizations. Desiring that European standardization policy should not hinder the vital objectives of competitiveness, growth and employment, Parliament emphasized that standards should not be an obstacle to innovation and highlighted the importance of prenormative research. To ensure that the market position of individual suppliers is not unduly protected by standards, Parliament suggested a version of technical standards geared less to specific technical procedures than to performance and test features. In order that the current cooperation between the three European standardization institutes might increase, Parliament considered that a proposal should be drawn up for a statute of a Community agency for the European standardization and certification bodies. Finally, Parliament emphasized the importance of involving the consumer and environmental organizations, the public-interest groups concerned, and the SMEs in the process of European standardization. �