Technical standardization Directive adopted
On 23 March 1994 the Council and the European Parliament adopted Directive 94/10/EC, amending for the second time Directive 83/189/EEC, laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations. The new Directive clarifies and explains certain terms and definitions, the rules of procedure and the obligations of the Member States, including clarification of the concept of a de facto technical regulation. It makes the procedure for notification less cumbersome and more flexible. The Directive lays down rules for the greater provision of information by undertakings and Member States in order to ensure transparency regarding national initiatives. It also brings into line the standstill arrangements applicable to national standardization bodies and amends the procedure for notifying their work programmes.