ECOS/SBS workshop confirms that there is an elephant in the room – outcomes

On 12 June, ECOS and Small Business Standards, the organisations representing and defending environmental and SMEs’ interests in standardisation organised a workshop entitled: “The use of standards in policy: is there an elephant in the room?”, held at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels. The workshop built on the landmark ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), in the James Elliott case, which for the first time acknowledged that harmonised European standards are part of EU law. It brought together policy-makers, experts and other stakeholders to discuss how to ensure an effective and legitimate use of harmonised standards in European laws and policies.

We would like to warmly thank all speakers and participants for their insightful contributions. We are also very pleased to share the various outcomes of our workshop.

• Visual report

The complex issues discussed during our workshop are summarised in our visual report. Click on the images below or download the report here..

• Workshop conclusions

If you prefer a more traditional summary of what was discussed, we are ready for you, too. Click here to download our concise workshop conclusions.

• Position paper

On the occasion of the workshop, ECOS published a Position Paper entitled “The Use of Standards in Legislation and Policies”. The paper explores how to ensure a legally-sound and socially-acceptable use of standards by policy-makers in view of the CJEU James Elliott ruling and other court cases. Click here for more information.

• Photo gallery

To view the workshop pictures, click here!

• Press release

Download our press release by clicking here.