FEM has submitted its recommendations to the European Commission’s public consultation on the revision of the Standardisation Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012.
Our position paper outlines key reforms to strengthen the European Standardisation System while ensuring efficiency, inclusiveness, and alignment with international frameworks.
Key Recommendations:
- Maintain voluntary, consensus-driven standards Safeguard the principle that harmonised standards remain voluntary and flexible, supporting innovation and SMEs.
- Reform the HAS consultant system Replace the current fault-finding approach with a collaborative, transparent, and technical-focused process. Ensure consistent interpretations, clear guidelines, and fair appeal mechanisms.
- Improve efficiency in hEN development Align standardisation requests with legislative drafting to avoid unrealistic deadlines and ensure timely citation in the Official Journal.
- Strengthen international alignment Safeguard Europe’s ability to influence global standards through IEC/ISO cooperation, while allowing pragmatic accommodation of regional differences.
- Restore balance in response to court rulings Avoid excessive legalism stemming from the James Elliott and Malamud cases, which have introduced delays and uncertainty. Reaffirm the New Approach principles as central to the system.
A modernised Standardisation Regulation is essential to ensure Europe’s competitiveness, innovation, and safety. FEM’s recommendations aim to restore trust, reduce bureaucracy, and reinforce Europe’s role as a global standards setter.