ESC opinion: Commission Green Paper on the development of European Standardization
On 20 March 1991 the Economic and Social Committee adopted a majority opinion on the Commission Green Paper "The development of European standardization: Action for faster technological integration in Europe" (COM(90) 456, 8 October 1990). The ESC welcomes this promotion of debate; it is time to review at European and national level the role and work of standardization organizations, decision making procedure and the role of parties involved in it. Closer assessment of financial and working relationships between the Commission and the standardization organizations should also be made. Inter alia, the ESC endorses the assessment of CEN and CENELEC, which must be given the chance to work more efficiently to create as soon as possible the standards called for. There should be coordination of work programmes, coherent reporting, plus the implementation of a European data bank. The principle of openness should apply to standardization procedures. Creation of a European Organization for Testing and Certification (EOTC) is welcomed.