In the framework of CEN and CENELEC annual General Assemblies, their leaders respectively Mr Vincent Laflèche and Dr Bernhard Thies and the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) represented by the Minister for Technical Regulation, Mr Valery Koreshkov, have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding on 21 June 2017. The Memorandum of Understanding between CEN, CENELEC and the EEC paves the way for closer collaboration on various aspects of standardization, which will further facilitate trade in goods and services between Europe and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries.
The three organizations - CEN (European Committee for Standardization), CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) and the EEC (Eurasian Economic Commission) – have committed themselves to formalize their cooperation on issues of joint interest, in order to foster greater technical alignment between Europe and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries, most of which already having strong links with CEN and CENELEC. By establishing a concrete dialogue and promoting the harmonization of standards at international level, they will help to facilitate trade in goods and services between Europe and countries from the EEU, namely Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, thereby contributing to sustainable growth in all these regions.
This MoU between CEN, CENELEC and the EEC provides a common framework to facilitate the sharing of information, the transfer of technical knowledge, the exchange of best practices and their mutual support in the work of the international standardization organizations, ISO and IEC.
By developing and deepening their cooperation in the field of standardization, CEN, CENELEC and the EEC will contribute to overcome technical barriers to trade and thus to facilitate trade between Europe and some of its major trade partners.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Edinburgh, Dr Bernhard Thies, President of CENELEC, said: "We are convinced that through this joint agreement with the EEC, and the provisions that allow for the exchange of technical information and sharing of experiences, we extend the benefits that standards bring to our societies, and contribute to the growth of our economies and the well-being of our people."
Valery Koreshkov, the Minister for Technical Regulation of the EEС, said: "The main instrument for implementing mandatory requirements of technical regulations of the Eurasian Union are standards, that are developed using international and regional standards. The
Memorandum with CEN and CENELEC is an important step in the development of further harmonization of standards, increasing competitiveness and product safety, reducing technical barriers and eliminating excessive administrative regulation in the area of trade, which ultimately is aimed at better satisfying the demands of industry and consumers in the European аnd the Eurasian regions".