The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) have renewed their joint Cooperation Agreement with the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). The three organizations have decided to maintain and build on their successful cooperation, initiated in 2012. This cooperation contributes to the removal of Technical Barriers to Trade and thereby helps to facilitate trade in goods and services between Europe and Canada.
The CEN-CENELEC-SCC Cooperation Agreement was formally renewed today (25 January) in Brussels by Elena Santiago Cid, Director General of CEN and CENELEC and John Walter, Chief Executive Officer of SCC. The signing ceremony was also attended by His Excellency Daniel Costello (Canadian Ambassador to the European Union), and Kerstin Jorna (Director 'Single Market Policy, Regulation and Implementation', DG GROW, European Commission).
CEN, CENELEC and SCC signed their first Cooperation Agreement in February 2012 with the aim of playing a constructive role in relation to the negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada (also known as 'CETA'). This Cooperation Agreement has provided a framework for the parties to exchange information and coordinate their activities in specific areas such as Smart Energy Grids and Timber structures. It has also enabled Canada to adopt standards for heat meters that are identical to European Standards developed by CEN. These examples show how, by working together, CEN, CENELEC and SCC can contribute to preventing and removing Technical Barriers to Trade and thereby support the growth of trade between the Canadian and European economies.
In their Cooperation Agreement, CEN, CENELEC and SCC reconfirm their commitment to promoting the harmonization of standards at the international level in the framework of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). Under their renewed agreement, the parties will continue to exchange information and look for opportunities to cooperate on standardization activities in relation to a wide range of sectors (including aerospace, chemicals, construction, consumer products, energy and environmental technologies, medical devices and nanotechnologies, etc.).
Quotes
“Canada is an important export market for European companies. By continuing our successful cooperation with SCC we can make further progress on removing technical barriers to trade, thereby supporting growth and jobs in Europe and Canada.”
- Elena Santiago Cid, Director General of CEN and CENELEC
“SCC and CEN and CENELEC are jointly committed to strengthening and increasing trading opportunities through the strategic utilization of standardization, thereby providing Canadians and Europeans with improved market access through reduced barriers to trade.”
- John Walter, Chief Executive Officer of SCC
About the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC)
CEN and CENELEC are recognized by the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) as European Standardization Organizations responsible for developing standards in relation to a wide range of materials, processes, products and services.
The members of CEN and CENELEC are the National Standardization Bodies and National Electrotechnical Committees of 33 European countries. European Standards (ENs) and other standardization deliverables that have been adopted by CEN and CENELEC are accepted and recognized in all of these countries.
European Standards (ENs) are developed through a process of collaboration among experts nominated by business and industry, public authorities, research institutes, consumer and environmental organizations and other stakeholders. When correctly applied, they contribute to enhancing safety, improving performance and quality, facilitating cross-border trade and strengthening the European Single Market.
CEN and CENELEC cooperate with the European Commission to develop and adopt harmonized standards and other deliverables that support the implementation of EU policies and legislation. They work with the research and innovation community to get market access for their innovative solutions, through European standards. They also work to promote the international alignment of standards in the framework of technical cooperation agreements with ISO and the IEC.
For more information, please see: www.cencenelec.eu
About the Standards Council of Canada
SCC leads and facilitates the development and use of standards and delivers accreditation services that enhance Canada's economy, drive innovation and support social well-being. SCC is Canada's representative at ISO and IEC and a member of the International Accreditation Forum.
Photo caption
Signing ceremony in Brussels on 25 January. Seated: Elena Santiago Cid (Director General of CEN and CENELEC) and John Walter (Chief Executive Officer of SCC). Standing (from left to right): Francisco Verdera Mari (CEN-CENELEC Director 'Strategic Partnerships'), Hervé Gauthier (CEN-CENELEC 'International Cooperation' Unit Manager), Sarah Penny (CEN-CENELEC Director 'External Relations'), Kerstin Jorna (Director 'Single Market Policy, Regulation and Implementation', DG GROW, European Commission), Daniel Costello (Canadian Ambassador to the European Union), Duncan De Lught (First Secretary 'Trade Policy and Commercial Affairs', Mission of Canada to the EU), Alec Clark (Executive Assistant to the SCC CEO), Jean-Paul Vetsuypens (CEN-CENELEC Director 'Standards') [© CEN-CENELEC].
Media contacts
Ben Carlin - Communication Unit, CEN-CENELEC Management Centre
Tel.: +32 2 5500 832 | bcarlin@cencenelec.eu | Twitter: @CENCLCpress
Christine LaRocque - Manager, Communications, SCC
Tel.: +1 613 238 3222 ext. 462 | christine.larocque@scc.ca | Twitter: @StandardsCanada