WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
18 October 2005 
 (05-4775) 
Committee on Technical Barrier to Trade  
  
IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE  
AGREEMENT ON TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE  
(UP-DATING OCTOBER 2005) 
 
Revision
 
 
 
 I n accordance with Article 15.2 of the WTO Ag reement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) 
and considering the decision of the TBT Committee of 14 July 1995 concerning the Statement on Implementation and Administration as contained in document G/TBT/1/Rev.8 of 23 May 2002, on 
behalf of the European Community, I have the honour to transmit the following information 
concerning the measures taken by the European Community in implementing the Agreement.  A 
description of the European System in the field of technical rules is annexed to the present statement. 
 
_______________ 
  
1. The Council decision 94/800/EC of 22 December 1994 is the basic law in accordance with 
which the European Community both approved and formally undertook the obligations of the Agreement.  This decision is published in the O fficial Journal No. L 336 dated 23 December 1994. 
2. Notices of preparation of Community law rele vant for the Agreement are published in the 
Official Journal of the European Union, C series.  After adoption, the texts of all technical regulations 
and conformity assessment procedures of the European  Community are also published in the Official 
Journal of the European Union, L series.  
3. The expected length of time allowed by the Community and its member States for comments 
in writing shall generally be 60 days. 
4. The overall responsibility for the implementati on and administration of the TBT Agreement 
lies with the Commission of the European Communities. 
5. A TBT Enquiry Point has been set up in the European Commission.  Enquiry Points have also 
been set up in member States.  All E nquiry Points are fully operational.  
6. In the harmonized area  covered by Community legislation, the EC TBT Enquiry Point is 
responsible for giving information about technical  regulations, standards and conformity assessment 
procedures under Article 10.  The EC TBT Enquiry Poin t is also responsible for the notification of the 
relevant Community technical regulations  and conformity assessment procedures. 
7. In the non-harmonized area  covered only by national legislation, member States Enquiry 
Points provide information under Article 10.  Member States authorities also directly notify proposed regulations to the WTO Secretariat.  As local government and non-governmental bodies fall under the 
regulatory competence of the member State on whose territory they are situated, obligations provided 
for by the Agreement in respect of these bodies ar e carried out by the member States, including 
notifications under Articles 3.2 and 7.2 where applicable. G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 2  
 
 8. Given that a procedure of notification of nationa l technical legislation already exists within 
the European Community, the memb er States are in a position to fulfil their obligations on 
notifications in conformity with the Ag reement on Technical Barriers to Trade. 
9. In both areas , the EC TBT Enquiry Point is responsible for the implementation of the 
subsequent steps under the notification procedures.  As a consequence, comments by third countries 
on a proposed regulation notified by a member State authority have to be addressed to this authority 
and to the EC TBT Enquiry Point.  Replies to any such comments will be given by the EC TBT Enquiry Point. 
10. As far as third country notifications are c oncerned, comments are co-ordinated, and any 
follow-up is made, by the EC TBT Enquiry Point. 
11. Concerning bilateral or multilateral agreements in the field of standards, technical regulations 
and conformity assessment procedures, notificati ons are made by the European Commission. 
 The address of the EC TBT Enquiry Point is as follows: 
 EC TBT Enquiry Point  DG Enterprise and Industry 
 Rue de la Loi 200 
 1049 Brussels  Belgium  
   Tel:  (+32 2) 295 57 38 
   Telefax: (+32 2) 299 80 43 
   E-mail:   ec-tbt@cec.eu.int 
   Website:  http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/tbt/  12. With regard to European Standardizing Bodies,  the following bodies have accepted the Code 
of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption a nd Application of Standards, in Annex 3 to the 
Agreement: 
 European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) 
 650 Route des Lucioles   06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex - France      Tel:  (+33 4) 929 44 200 
   Telefax: (+33 4) 936 54 716 
   E-mail:  secretariat@etsi.org    Website: www.etsi.org  
European Committee for Standardization (CEN) 
Central Secretariat  
36, rue de Stassart B - 1050 Brussels Belgium     Tel:  (+32 2) 550 08 11 
  Telefax: (+32 2) 550 08 19 
  E-mail:   infodesk@cenorm.be   Website:   www.cenorm.be   G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Centre européen de normalisation électrotechnique (CENELEC) 
 35, rue de Stassart  B - 1050 Brussels  Belgium  
 Tel:  (+32 2) 519 68 71 
 Telefax: (+32 2) 519 69 19  E-mail:  general@cenelec.org  Website: www.cenelec.org 
 
13. Details are included in the notification of  acceptance of these bodies under paragraph C 
Annex 3 of the Agreement. 
14. The usual time period allowing for comment s on draft standards shall be 60 days. 
15. The list of adopted European Standards as we ll as the list of draft European Standards 
submitted to public enquiry are published in the Bull etin of the European Standards Organizations. 
16. The measures taken by the member States of th e European Community fo r the application of 
the TBT Agreement are as follows: 
BELGIUM
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
17. Technical regulations or standards and proce dures for assessment of conformity are published 
in the following Belgian publications: 
- IBN/BIN revue 
- The Belgian Official Journal:  Belgish Staatsblad/ Moniteur belge 18. The existence of draft technical regulations is also communicated to the effective members of 
IBN/BIN as AIB-Vinçotte, Bureau Veritas, Fabrimetal, FEBIAC, the Food and Agriculture 
Association, the construction sector.  They communi cate, on their turn, these drafts to their members 
and in their technical literatu re and professional journals. 
19. The existence of draft technical standards is also communicated to the affiliated members of 
IBN/BIN, like firms, factories, research o ffices, architectural offices and universities. 
20. As to the procedures for assessment of conform ity this information is, next to the IBN/BIN 
revue and Belgian Official Journa l, published in the professional journals of the certification bodies, 
the inspection agencies and the Belgian competent ministries. G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 4  
 
 II. ENQUIRY POINT 
BELNotif 
Ministère de l'Economie Qualité et Sécurité - Div. Accréditation WTC III - 5ème étage 
Bd Simon Bolivar 30 
1000 Bruxelles 
    Tel:  (+32 2) 208 36 20    Fax:  (+32 2) 208 36 55 
   E-mail:  belnotif@mineco.fgov.be 
     paul.caruso@mineco.fgov.be  
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
21. BELNotif is responsible for the notification of  Belgian draft regulations, the distribution of 
those of the other members, as well as gathering of comments.  
IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES EMPOWERED TO ISSUE TECHNICAL 
REGULATIONS AND CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES 
 Ministère de la Communauté Française 
 Place Surlet de Chokier 15-17  1000 Bruxelles 
 
   Tel:  (+32 2) 227 32 11    Fax:  (+32 2) 218 70 28    Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap 
 Boudewijnlaan 30 
 1000 Bruxelles     Tel:  (+32 2) 507 31 11    Fax:  (+32 2) 507 59 59   
 Ministerium Deutschsprachige Gemeinschaft 
 Klötzerbahn 32  4700 Eupen     Tel:  (+32 87) 74 45 39 
   Fax:  (+32 87) 55 28 91 
  Ministère de la Région Wallonne  Place de la Wallonie 1  5000 Namur  
   Tel:  (+32 81) 33 31 11 
   Fax:  (+32 81) 33 37 77   G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 5 
 
 
  Ministère de la Région Bruxelles-Capitale 
 Rue Royale 2  1000 Bruxelles     Tel:  (+32 2) 518 17 11 
   Fax:  (+32 2) 518 17 39 
  The Belgian communities and regions notify their draft regulations through BELNotif.  
V. STANDARDIZING BODIES THAT HAVE ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Belgian Standardization Institute (IBN/BIN) 
  
CZECH REPUBLIC
 
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
22. Technical regulations are adopted by the Parlia ment (Acts), by the Government (Government 
Orders) and by the respective Ministries (Implementing Decrees).  They are published in the Collection of Laws.  
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 Czech Office for Standards, Metrology and Testing 
 International Relations Department  Gorazdova 24  P.O. Box 49  128 01 Praha 2 
 
   Tel:  (+420) 224 90 72 20    Fax:  (+420) 224 91 49 90    E-mail:  wto.tbt@unmz.cz    Website: www.unmz.cz 
 
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Czech Office for Standards, Metrology and Testing 
 International Relations Department  Gorazdova 24  P.O. Box 49 
 128 01 Praha 2 
       Tel:  (+420) 224 90 72 20    Fax:  (+420) 224 91 49 90    E-mail:   wto.tbt@unmz.cz    Website: www.unmz.cz  IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
23. There is no local government body empowered to issue technical regulations.  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 6  
 
   
V. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Czech Standards Institute 
   Website:  www.cni.cz  
 
DENMARK
 
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
24. Draft technical regulations, standards and conf ormity assessment procedures are published in 
the form of a short notice in the journal Dansk Standard . 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 Dansk Standard 
 (Danish Standards Association) 
 Kollegievej, 6 
 DK-2920 Charlottenlund     Tel:  (+45) 39 96 61 01    Fax:  (+45) 39 96 61 01    E-mail:  wto@ds.dk 
   Website: www.ds.dk 
 
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 National Agency for Enterprise and Construction 
 Langelinie Allé 17 
 DK-2100 København Ø 
    Tel:  (+45) 65 60 00    Fax:  (+45) 35 46 60 01    E-mail:  noti@ebst.dk    Website: www.ebst.dk 
 
IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
25. There is no local government body empowered to issue technical regulations or conformity 
assessment procedures. 
V. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Dansk Standard (Danish Standard Association). 
  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 7 
 
 
 GERMANY  
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
26. Technical rules are adopted by the federal State or by the Länder.  Technical rules adopted in 
the form of laws or regulations are published respectively in the Bundesgesetzblatt  o r  i n  t h e  
appropriate Landesgesetzblatt . 
27. Standards are published in the DIN-Anzeiger für technische Regeln by: 
 Beuth Verlag GmbH 
 Technische Auskunft/Enquiry Service  Burggrafenstr. 6 
 10787 Berlin  
 Germany     Tel:   (+49 30) 260 12 600    Telefax:  (+49 30) 262 81 25 
   E-mail:   auskunft@beuth.de 
   Website:  www.din.de    Electrotechnical Standards are published by:   VDE-Verlag 
 Bismarckstraße 33 
 10625 Berlin     Tel:   (+49 30) 348 00 10    Fax:   (+49 30) 341 70 93 
 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 Deutsches Informationszentrum für technische Regeln (DITR) 
 (German Information Centre  for Technical regulations) 
 Postfach 1107, Burggrafenstr. 6  D-10787 Berlin 
 Germany 
    Tel:   (+49 30) 260 12600    Telefax:  (+49 30) 262 8125    E-mail:   auskunft@beuth.de 
   Website:  www.din.de 
 28. The DITR has been established by  the DIN.  It is the central body that provides information 
about technical regulations, standa rds and conformity assessment pr ocedures in force in Germany. 
 G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 8  
 
 III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour 
 Trade Policy Division EU/WTO   Scharnhorststr. 34-37  10115 Berlin 
 Germany 
    Tel:   (+49) 1888 615 7593    Fax:   (+49) 1888 615 5387    E-mail:   buero-va3@bmwa.bund.de 
   
IV. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) 
   Web-site:  www.din.de   ESTONIA
 
 I. PUBLICATIONS 
29. Titles of proposed and adopted Estonian standards are published in homepage of Estonian 
Centre for Standardisation and in journal EVS Teataja . 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 Estonian Centre for Standardisation (EVS) 
 Aru 10  10317 Tallin 
 Estonia 
    Tel:   (+372) 605 50 62    Fax:   (+372) 605 50 63    E-mail:    enquiry@evs.ee    Website:  www.evs.ee  III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications 
 Harju 11  15072 Tallinn 
 Estonia 
 
   Tel:   (+372) 625 64 05 
   Fax:   (+372) 631 30 29    E-mail:   el.teavitamine@mkm.ee      Website:  www.mkm.ee   G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 9 
 
 
 IV. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Estonian Centre for Standardisation (EVS) 
   Website:  www.evs.ee  
 
GREECE
 
 I. PUBLICATIONS 
30. The texts of technical regulati ons and standards or procedures for assessment of conformity 
are published in the Greek Official Journal:  Governmental Sheet. 
II. ENQUIRY POINT/NOTIFICATIONS 
 Hellenic Organization for Standardization (ELOT) 
 Information Center for Standards and Technical Regulations  313 Acharnon St. 
 GR 11145 Athens 
    Tel:   (+30 210) 21 20 304    Fax:   (+30 210) 22 86 219    E-mail:   wtotbtgr@elot.gr    Website:  www.elot.gr 
 
III. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Hellenic Organization for Standardization (ELOT) 
   Web-site:  www.elot.gr 
 
 
SPAIN
 
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
31. Technical regulations or standards and proce dures for assessment of conformity adopted by 
the central government are published in the Boletin Oficial del Estado .  Those adopted by the 
Autonomous Communities are published in the respectives Boletines de las Communidades 
Autonomas. G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 10  
 
 II. ENQUIRY POINT 
For technical regulations:
 
 
 Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio 
 Secretaria General de Comercio Exterior 
 Subdirección General de Inspección, Certificación y Asistencia Técnica 
 Paseo de la Castellana, 162, 6a planta  28071 Madrid     Tel:   (+34 91) 349 37 59/70 
   Fax:   (+34 91) 349 37 77/40 
   E-mail:   sgsoivre.sscc@mcx.es    Website:  http://www.mcx.es/ sgcomex/Soivre/Obstaculos.htm 
 For standards: 
 
 
 Asociación Española de Normalización y Certificación (AENOR) 
 Calle Génova n° 6  28004 Madrid     Tel:   (+34 91) 432 5965 
   Fax:   (+34 91) 310 45 96 
   E - m a i l :    i n f o @ a e n o r . e s     Website:  www.aenor.es 
 
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
32. The Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Co mercio is the authority responsible for 
notifications. 
 Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio 
 Secretaria General de Comercio Exterior  Subdirección General de Inspección, Certificación y Asistencia Técnica  Paseo de la Castellana, 162, 6a planta 
 28071 Madrid 
     Tel:   (+34 91) 349 37 59/70    Fax:   (+34 91) 349 37 77/40 
   E-mail:   sgsoivre.sscc@mcx.es 
 
IV. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Asociación Española de Normalización y certificación (AENOR) 
  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 11 
 
 
 FRANCE  
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
33. Technical regulations, standards and procedur es for assessment of conformity are published 
in the Journal Officiel de la République Française. 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR) 
 Centre d'Information sur les Normes et Règlements Techniques (CINORTECH) 
 11, avenue Francis de Pressensé  93571 SAINT-DENIS LA PLAINE CEDEX  France 
 
   Tel:   (+33 1) 41 62 87 43 
   Fax:   (+33 1) 49 17 91 69    E-mail:   di9834@afnor.org    Website:   www.afnor.fr 
 
 Contact persons: 
 
   Ms Eveline Vézinat 
   Tel:   (+33 1) 41 62 87 43 
   Fax:   (+33 1) 49 17 91 69 
   E-mail:   eveline.vezinat@afnor.org 
 
   Mr Jean-Loup Commo 
   Tel:   (+33 1) 41 62 86 33    Fax:   (+33 1) 49 17 90 00    E-mail:   jeanloup.commo@afnor.org  
 Apart from assuming the tasks mentioned in article 10 of the TBT Agreement, AFNOR / 
CINORTECH informs economic operators and administra tions on notifications by the other members. 
 
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Ministère de l'Economie, des Finances et de l’Industrie 
 Délégation interministérielle aux normes 
 Ministère délégué à l’industrie 
 Direction générale des Entreprises (DGE)  Sous-Direction de la Normalisation, de la Qu alité et de la Propriété industrielle (SQUALPI) 
 DGE 5  12, rue Villiot 
 75572  PARIS Cedex 12,  
 France    Tel:   (+33 1) 53 44 97 04    Fax:   (+33 1) 53 44 98 88    E-mail:   suzanne.piau@industrie.gouv.fr 
 
   Tel:   (+33 1) 53 44 97 05 
   Fax:   (+33 1) 53 44 98 88    E-mail:   francoise.ouvrard@industrie.gouv.fr 
   Website:  www.industrie.gouv.fr G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 12  
 
  
IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
34. They are not entitled to adopt technical regul ations or conformity assessment procedures. 
 
V. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR).  
   Website:  www.afnor.fr   IRELAND
 
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
35. Any notices or information regarding national sta ndards, technical regulations or conformity 
assessment procedures are published in the Government Publication Iris Oifigiúil and standards are on 
the NSAI website: www.nsai.ie or in the standards catalogue:  www.standards.ie 
II. ENQUIRY POINTS 
For technical regulations:  
 
 Market Access Unit 
 Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment 
 Earlsfort Centre 
Lower Hatch Street 
 Dublin 2 
Ireland 
 
   Tel:   (+353 1) 631 21 21 
   Fax:   (+353 1) 631 25 53    E-mail:   erinfo@entemp.ie    Website:  http://www.entemp.ie  For Standards:
 
 
 Standards Development 
 National Standards Authority of Ireland  Glasnevin  Dublin 9 
Ireland 
    Tel:   (+353 1) 807 38 00    Fax:   (+353 1) 807 38 38    E - m a i l :    t o n y . l o s t y @ n s a i . i e     Website:  www.nsai.ie   G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 13 
 
 
 ITALY  
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
36. Technical regulations are published in the Italian official journal:  Gazzetta Ufficiale della 
Repubblica Italiana. 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
For technical regulations:  
 
 Ministero delle attività produttive 
 Ufficio F1 - Ispettorato Tecnico dell’Industria 
 Via Molise, 2 
 00187 Roma - Italy 
 
   Tel:   (+39 06) 470 52 205 
   Fax:   (+39 06) 478 87 805    E-mail:   tbt.italia@attivitaproduttive.gov.it       vincenzo.correggia@attivitaproduttive.gov.it     Website:  www.minindustria.it  
 
Database for national techni cal regulations in force
 
 
  Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) 
  Dipartimento per le Attività Sc ientifiche e Tecnologiche (DAST) 
  Via  Tiburtina, 19   00185 Rome - Italy 
 
   Tel:   (+39 06) 4993 7445/ 4993 7455 
   Telefax:  (+39 06) 4993 7440    E-mail:   a.verdecchia@dcas.cnr.it 
 
For standards (except electricity and electronics)
 
 
 Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione (UNI) 
 Via Battistotti Sassi, 11/b 
 20133 - Milano 
 
   Tel:   (+39 02) 700241 
   Fax:   (+39 02) 701 061 49 
   E-mail:   presidenza@uni.com 
      direzione@uni.com    Website:  www.uni.com  
 
For standards concerning electricity and electronics
 
 
 Comitato Elettrotecnico Italiano (CEI) 
 Via Saccardo 9 
 20134 - Milano 
 
   Tel:   (+39 02) 210 061 
   Fax:   (+39 02) 210 062 10    E-mail:   cei@ceiweb.it    Website:  www.ceiweb.it  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 14  
 
 III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Ministero delle attività produttive  
 Ufficio F1 - Ispettorato tecnico dell’industria   Via Molise,  2  I-00187 ROMA 
 
   Tel:   (+39 6) 470 5 2205     Fax:   (+39 6) 478 8 7805    E-mail:   tbt.italia@attivitaproduttive.gov.it     Website:   www.minindustria.it    IV. STANDARDIZING BODIES THAT HAVE ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione (UNI). 
   Website:  www.uni.com  
 Comitato Elettrotecnico Italiano (CEI). 
   Web-site:  www.ceiweb.it 
 
 CYPRUS
 
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
37. Technical regulations, standards and conform ity assessment procedures are published in the 
Cyprus Official Gazette. 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 Cyprus Organization for the Promotion of Quality 
 Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism 
 Andrea Araouzou 13 - 15  CY 1421 Nicosia     Tel:   (+357) 22 409 310    Fax:   (+357) 22 754 103 
  E-mail:   director@cys.mcit.gov.cy or  
      aioannou@cys.mcit.gov.cy    Website:  www.cys.mcit.gov.cy 
 
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Cyprus Organization for the Promotion of Quality 
 Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism  Andrea Araouzou 13 - 15  CY 1421 Nicosia     Tel:   (+357) 22 409 310 
   Fax:   (+357) 22 754 103 
   E-mail:   director@cys.mcit.gov.cy or        aioannou@cys.mcit.gov.cy     Website:  www.cys.mcit.gov.cy  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 15 
 
 
  
IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
 
38. They are not responsible for preparing or adopting technical regulations, standards or 
conformity assessment procedures. 
V. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Cyprus Organization for Standards 
 
 
LATVIA  
 I. PUBLICATIONS 
39. Technical regulations are published in the Latv ian official journal:  Latvijas Vestnesis. 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 WTO Information Division 
 157 K. Valdemara Street  Riga LV-1013   Latvia     Tel:   (+371) 737 13 06 
   Fax:   (+371) 737 13 24 
   E-mail:   lvs@lvs.lv  
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
   Tel:   (+371) 701 3067 
   Fax:   (+371) 728 0882 
   E-mail:   notification@em.gov.lv 
 
IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
40. They are not responsible for preparing or adopting technical regulations, standards or 
conformity assessment procedures. 
V. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Latvian National Standartization Institution (LVS) 
   Website:  www.lvs.lv  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 16  
 
 LITHUANIA
 
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
41. Information on technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures and standards is 
provided by:   
 - website http://www.lsd.lt  
42. Notices of national draft technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures together 
with  the draft regulations by WTO members notified under the TBT Agreement are regularly 
uploaded on the website of Lithuanian Standards Board and are automatically disseminated to the 
relevant authorities and other interested groups.  No tices of draft national and European Standards for 
public enquiry are also provided on the above-mentioned website. 
 - Official gazette "Lietuvos Žinios" 
 The texts of adopted technical regulati ons and conformity assessment procedures are 
published in the official gazette.  
 - LST Bulletin (a monthly periodical on standardization). 
 The Bulletin contains notices of new adopted  and withdrawn Lithuanian standards, new 
received standards by European a nd international standardization organizations, notices on standards 
programs, etc.. 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 Lithuanian Standards Board 
 T. Kosciuskos street 30 
 01100 Vilnius 
 Lithuania     Tel:   (+370) 5 270 93 47    Fax:   (+370) 5 270 93 67 
   E-mail:   enquiry@lsd.lt 
   Website:  http://www.lsd.lt 
 
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Lithuanian Standards Board 
 Information and Technologies Division  
  
   Tel:   (+370) 5 270 9347    Fax:   (+370) 5 270 9367    E-mail:   enquiry@lsd.lt    Website:  http://www.lsd.lt  IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
43. Local government bodies are not entitled to issu e technical regulations or conformity 
assessment procedures.  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 17 
 
 
 V. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Lithuanian Standards Board. 
 
 
LUXEMBOURG  
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
44. Technical regulations, standards and confor mity assessment procedures are published in 
Luxembourg's Official Journal:  Mémorial . 
II. ENQUIRY POINT/NOTIFICATIONS 
 Ministère du Travail et de l’Emploi 
 Inspection du Travail et des Mines  3, rue des Primeurs  L-2361 Strassen 
 
   Tel:   (+352) 478 61 50    Fax:   (+352) 491 447    E-mail:   paul.weber@itm.etat.lu 
 
 
HUNGARY
 
 III. PUBLICATIONS 
45. The only authoritative Hungarian Official Journal is  Magyar Közlöny.  It contains all the new 
legislations made in Hungary, except standards.  The Hungarian Standardisation Body has its own 
Official Journal: Szabványügyi Közlöny. 
IV. ENQUIRY POINT 
For technical regulations
 
  Gazdasági és Közlekedési Minisztérium  Notifikációs Központ 
 (Ministry of Economy and Transport - Enquiry Point) 
 Honvéd u. 13-15.  H-1880 Budapest - Hungary     Tel:   (+361) 374 28 73 
   Fax:   (+361) 473 16 22 
   E-mail:   notification@gkm.hu 
Website:  http://www.gkm.gov.hu/balmenu/ipar/muszakiszabalyozas/ notifikacio/bejelentesek.html G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 18  
 
 For standards
 
   Magyar Szabványügyi Testület  (Hungarian Standards Institution)  Üllöi út 25, Pf.,24 
 H-1450 Budapest 9 - Hungary  
     Tel:   (+361) 456 68 00    Fax:   (+361) 456 68 23    E - m a i l :    g y . p o n y a i @ m s z t . h u  
   Website:  http://www.mszt.hu/angol/indexeng.htm 
 
V. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Gazdasági és Közlekedési Minisztérium 
 Notifikációs Központ 
 (Ministry of Economy and Transport - Enquiry Point) 
 Honvéd u. 13-15  H-1880 Budapest - Hungary     Tel:   (+361) 374 28 73    Fax:   (+361) 473 16 22 
   E-mail:   notification@gkm.hu 
Website:  http://www.gkm.gov.hu/balmenu/ipar/muszakiszabalyozas/ notifikacio/bejelentesek.html 
VI. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Magyar Szabványügyi Testület 
 (Hungarian Standards Institution)  Üllöi út 25, Pf.,24  H-1450 Budapest 9 - Hungary    
   Tel:   (+361) 456 68 00 
   Fax:   (+361) 456 68 23    E - m a i l :    g y . p o n y a i @ m s z t . h u     Website:  http://www.mszt.hu/angol/indexeng.htm  
 
MALTA
 
 I. PUBLICATIONS 
46. The Publication of Technical Regulations is done in the Malta Government Gazette.  The 
Malta Government Gazette is available both in pa per format and online (www.doi.gov.mt).  Standards 
are also published in the Malta Government Gazette.   G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 19 
 
 
 II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 Malta Standards Authority 
 c/o Dr. Lorna Mifsud Cachia  Level 2  Evans Building 
 Merchants Street 
 Valletta VLT 03 - Malta     Tel:   (+356)21 242 420       (+356)21 243 282 
   Fax:   (+356)21 242 406 
   E-mail:   lorna.cachia@msa.org.mt    Website:  http://www.msa.org.mt 
 
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 c/o Dr. Lorna Mifsud Cachia 
 Level 2  Evans Building  Merchants Street  Valletta VLT 03 - Malta  
   Tel:   (+356) 21 242 420 
      (+356)21 243 282    Fax:   (+356)21 242 406    E-mail:   lorna.cachia@msa.org.mt    Website:  http://www.msa.org.mt  IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
47. Whilst Government Ministries may issue tec hnical regulations, only the Malta Standards 
Authority has the remit to notify such technical regulations.  For this reason, all government Ministries who issue technical regulations notify through the Malta Standards Authority. 
V. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Malta Standards Authority. 
  
THE NETHERLANDS
 
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
48. Notices of preparation of technical regula tions, standards and conformity assessment 
procedures are published in the Staatscourant . 
 The same publication is used for the texts adopted. 
 G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 20  
 
 II. ENQUIRY POINT 
Article 10, paragraph 1.1.
 
 
 Ministry of Finance 
 Tax and Customs Administration 
 Central Licensing Office for Imports and Exports  
 Section EC/WTO Notifications  PO Box 30003  9700 RD GRONINGEN  
   Tel:   (+31 50) 5232133/134/135 
   Fax:   (+31 50) 5232 159    E-mail:   enquiry.point@tiscali-business.nl and        enquiry.point2@tiscali-business.nl  
 The CDIU is responsible for the implementation of regulations in the field of international 
trade and also for information on technical regulations, including notifications.  Article 10, paragraph 1.2
 
 
 Nederlands Normalisatie Instituut (NEN)  (Netherlands Standardization Institute) 
 P.O Box 5059  2600 GB Delft  The Netherlands  
   Tel:   (+31 15) 26 90255 
   Fax:   (+31 15) 26 90130    Website:  www.nen.nl  Article 10, paragraph 1.3
 
 
 Raad voor Accreditatie 
 (Dutch Accreditation Council RvA)  P.O. Box 2768  3500 GT Utrecht  
   Tel:   (31 30) 23 94500 
   Fax:   (31 30) 23 94539    E-mail:   postmaster@rva.nl  
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Ministry of Economic Affairs 
 Foreign Economic Relations 
 P.O Box 20101  2500 EC Den Haag     Tel:   (+31 70) 379 63 32 
   Fax:   (+31 70) 379 72 21 
  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 21 
 
 
 IV. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Nederlands Normalisatie Instituut (NNI) 
   Web-site:  www.nni.nl  
 
AUSTRIA
 
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
49. Technical regulations, when adopted, are published in the following official journals: 
 - Bundesgesetzblatt für die Republik Österreic h (Federal Law Gazette for the Republic 
  of Austria).  - Amtsblatt für das Eichwesen (Official Journal for Metrology).  - Amtsblatt für das Vermessungswesen (Official Journal for Surveying).  
50. Draft Standards are published in the following periodicals: 
 - CONNEX (published by the Austrian Standards Institute - ON; contains all draft  
  standards).  - e & i - Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik (published by the Austrian    Electrotechnical Association - ÖVE; contains only electrotechnical draft standards).  
51. Standards, when adopted, are published in the following periodicals: 
 - CONNEX (all standards). 
 - ON-KATALOG (all standards).  - e & i (electrotechnical standards only).  - Amtsblatt zur Wiener Zeitung (all standards). 
 
II. ENQUIRY POINTS 
For technical regulations (Article 10.1)
 
  Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit  (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Labour) 
 Abteilung C2/11 (Division 2/11) 
 Stubenring 1  A-1011 Wien     Tel:   (+43 1) 71100, ext. 5774 
   Fax:   (+43 1) 715 96 51, 718 05 08 
   E-mail:   POST@C211.bmwa.gv.at    Website:  www.bmwa.gv.at  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 22  
 
 For non-governmental standards (Article 10.3)
 
  Österreichisches Normungsinstitut - ON  (Austrian Standards Institute)  Heinestraße 38 
 P.O.B. 130 
 A- 1021 Wien     Tel:   (+43 1) 213 00/ext.613    Fax:   (+43 1) 213 00 650 
   E-mail:   infostelle@on-norm.at 
   Website:  www.on-norm.at   Österreichischer Verband für Elektrotechnik - OVE  (Austrian Electrotechnical Association) 
 Eschenbachgasse 9 
 A-1010 Wien     Tel:   (+43 1) 587 63 73    Fax:   (+43 1) 586 74 08    E-mail:   ove@ove.at 
   Website:  www.ove.at 
 
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit 
 (as above under Enquiry Points)  IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
52. As far as regulations adopted by the Austri an sub-federal authorities (Bundesländer) are 
concerned, information and notification proce dures take place through the central government. 
V. STANDARDIZING BODIES THAT HAVE ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Österreichischer Verband für Elektrotechnik - ÖVE (Austrian Electrotechnical Association) 
   Web-site:  www.ove.at 
 
 POLAND
 
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
53. Technical regulations, when adopted, are publishe d in the in the Journal of Laws (Dziennik 
Ustaw). 
 Draft Standards are announced in the monthly magazine NORMALIZACJA. 
 
 Standards, when adopted, are announced in  the monthly magazine NORMALIZACJA.   G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 23 
 
 
 II. ENQUIRY POINT 
Notifications of standards  
  Polski Komitet Normalizacyjny (PKN)  (Polish Committee for Standardization) 
 WTO/TBT National Enquiry Point 
 Swietokrzyska St. 14, P.O. Box 411  PL 00-950 Warszawa/ Poland     Tel:   (+48 22) 556 7723 
   Fax:   (+48 22) 556 7416 
   E-mail:   oinsekr@pkn.pl    Website:  www.pkn.pl  Notifications of regulations
 
 
Information on drafts  
  
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labour 
Department of Trade Policy 
 Plac Trzech Krzyzy 3/5 
 PL 00-507 Warszawa/ Poland 
  
   Tel:   (+48 22) 693 48 04 
   Fax:   (+48 22) 693 40 18    E-mail:   piokul@mg.gov.pl 
   Website:  www.mgip.gov.pl 
 
III. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
54. There is no local government body empowered to issue technical regulations or conformity 
assessment procedures. 
IV. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Polish Committee for Standardization. 
Polski Komitet Normalizacyjny (PKN). 
  PORTUGAL
 
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
55. Technical regulations, standards and procedur es for assessment of conformity are published 
in the Portuguese Official Journal:  Diario de Republica. 
 G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 24  
 
 II. ENQUIRY POINT/NOTIFICATIONS 
 Instituto Português da Qualidade 
 (Portuguese Institute for Quality)  Rua António Gião, 2  P - 2829-513 Caparica 
 
   Tel:   (+351 1) 294 8100    Fax:   (+351 1) 294 8101/8222/8223    E-mail:   tbt@mail.ipq.pt    Website:  www.ipq.pt 
 
 
SLOVENIA
 
 I. PUBLICATIONS 
56. Technical rules addopted in the form of laws or regulations are published in the Official 
Gazette of Republic of Slovenia (Uradni list Republike Slovenije, http://www.uradni-list.si). 
Standards are announced in the bulletin Sporo čila/Messages issued by Sl ovenian Insatitute for 
Standardization – SIST ( available with password on www.sist.si).  Copies can be obtained from the 
Contact Point. 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST) 
 Šmartinska 140  SI-1000 Ljubljana     Tel:   (+386) 1 478 3041 
   Fax:   (+386) 1 478 3098 
   E-mail:   contact@sist.si    Website:  www.sist.si  
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST) 
 Šmartinska 140 
 SI-1000 Ljubljana     Tel:   (+386) 1 478 3041    Fax:   (+386) 1 478 3098 
   E-mail:   contact@sist.si 
   Website:  www.sist.si 
 
IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
57. The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of  Slovenia has the overall responsibility for 
ensuring that obligations under the TBT Agreement are fulfilled. 
  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 25 
 
 
 V. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST) 
 Šmartinska 140  SI-1000 Ljubljana 
   Tel:   (+386) 1 478 3013 
   Fax:   (+386) 1 478 3094    E-mail:   sist@sist.si    Website:  www.sist.si   SLOVAK REPUBLIC
 
 I. PUBLICATIONS 
58. As regards technical regulations the "Collecti on of Laws" (www.zbierka .sk) contains either 
full texts or announcements of full text availability at appropriate Ministries. 
59. Information and identification data on standa rds implemented into the Slovak Technical 
Standards System are published annually in the "STN  List", new standards are published monthly in 
the Bulletin of UNMS.  Information on standards and standardization works are also available at the 
website of the National Standardization Body:  www.sutn.gov.sk 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing (UNMS)  
Stefanovicova 3 - P.O.Box 76 810 05 Bratislava 15, Slovak Republic 
    Tel:   (+421) 2 5249 7886 
   Fax:   (+421) 2 5249 3521 
   E-mail:   infonot@normoff.gov.sk    Website:  www.normoff.gov.sk  
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing (UNMS)  
Stefanovicova 3 - P.O.Box 76 
810 05 Bratislava 15, Slovak Republic 
    Tel:   (+421) 2 5249 7886    Fax:   (+421) 2 5249 3521 
   E-mail:   infonot@normoff.gov.sk 
   Website:  www.normoff.gov.sk  
 
IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
60. They have no specific functions under the TBT Agreement.  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 26  
 
 V. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Slovak Standards Institute (SUTN) 
 Karloveska 63, P.O. BOX 246  840 00 Bratislava, Slovak Republic  
 
   Tel:   (+421) 2 60294 802       (+421) 2 60294 111    Fax:   (+421) 2 6541 1888    Website:  www.sutn.gov.sk 
 
 
FINLAND
 
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
61. Draft technical regulations, standards and pr ocedures for assessment of conformity are 
published in the SFS Information Newsletter . 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
 Finnish Standards Association SFS 
 P.O. Box 116  Fin-00241 Helsinki 
 
   Tel:   (+358 9) 149 93 31    Fax:   (+358 9) 146 49 14    E - m a i l :    w t o @ s f s . f i     Website:  www.sfs.fi/wto  III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 Ministry of Trade and Industry 
 Trade department  P.O. Box 230  Fin-00171 Helsinki 
 
   Tel:   (+358 9) 160 36 46/160.35.27    Fax:   (+358 9) 160 40 22    E-mail:   maaraykset.tekniset@ktm.vn.fi    Website:  www.ktm.fi  IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
62. They have no specific functions under the TBT Agreement. 
V. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Finnish Standards Association SFS. 
   Website:  www.sfs.fi 
  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 27 
 
 
  
SWEDEN  
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
63. Notifications concerning proposals for tec hnical regulations and conformity assessment 
procedures are published in "NOTNYTT" (Notifi cation News) of the National Board. Adopted 
Swedish regulations appear in the Swedish Code of Statutes (Laws and Government Ordinances) and 
in the statute books of the respective government authorities. 
 Titles of adopted Swedish standards are publis hed on the web: http://www.svenskstandard.se/. 
 II. ENQUIRY POINT 
Articles 10.1-3
 
  National Board of Trade   Swedish WTO-TBT Enquiry Point 
 Kommerskollegium 
 Box 6803  S-11386 Stockholm     Tel:   (+46 8) 690 48 00    Fax:   (+46 8) 690 48 40 
   E-mail:   registrator@kommers.se or 
      christer.arvius@kommers.se    Website:  www.kommers.se  
III. NOTIFICATIONS 
 The National Board of Trade is the authority responsible for notifications. 
 
IV. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
64. They do not issue technical regulations. 
65. The National Board of Trade has issued implementing regulations on technical rules with 
further details concerning the application of the Ordinance on Technical Rules (1994: 2029) as 
amended by Ordinance (1995: 1022) and (1998:  1470).  Since 1 January 1999 the Boards 
implementing regulation (KFS 1998: 1) apply.  This  regulation sets out what the national authorities 
have to observe in connection with the preparation of  technical rules.  It also regulates the interplay 
between these authorities and the notifying author ity, the National Board of Trade, as regards inter 
alia consultation and the provision of information in  due time in order to fulfil international 
notification obligations. G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 28  
 
 V. STANDARDIZING BODIES THAT HAVE ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 Standardiseringen:  Sverige-SIS (Swedish Institute for Standards) 
   Website:  www.sis.se  
 Svenska Elektriska Kommissionen-SEK (Swedish Electrotechnical Commission) 
   Website:  www.sekom.se   Informationstekniska standardiseringen – ITS (Swedish Information Technology 
 Standardization) 
   Website:  www.its.se 
 
UNITED KINGDOM
  
 
I. PUBLICATIONS 
66. Information on draft and publishe d standards is published in Update Standards  which is 
issued monthly with Business Standards  by the: 
 British Standards Institution (BSI) 
 389 Chiswick High Road  London W4 4AL  
67. Information on the work programme is availa ble on the Projectline database, accessible via 
the BSI Web-site:  http://webserv.bsi-global.com/projectline/ 
II. ENQUIRY POINT 
Article 10.1
 
 
 Department of Trade and Industry 
 Bay 4140  1 Victoria Street  London SW1H 0ET  United Kingdom    Tel   (+44 207) 215 5580 
   Fax:   (+44 207) 215 2234 
   E-mail:   marilyn.swain@dti.gov.uk 
   Website:  www.dti.gov.uk/ewt 
 
Article 10.3
 
 
 Technical Information Group 
 British Standards Institution  389 Chiswick High Road  London W4 4AL  United Kingdom 
 
   Tel:   (+44 208) 996.74.74    Fax:   (+44 208) 996.70.48    E-mail:   the@bsi-global.com    Website:  www.bsi-global.com/export  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 29 
 
 
 III. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES 
68. They are not responsible for preparing or adopting technical regulations, standards or 
conformity assessment procedures. 
IV. STANDARDIZING BODY THAT HAS ACCEPTED THE CODE OF GOOD 
PRACTICE 
 British Standards Institution (BSI), incorpor ating the British Electrotechnical Committee 
(BEC) Website:  www.bsi.org.uk   G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
Page 30  
 
 ANNEX 
  
European System in the Field of Technical Rules
 
 
69. This annex has been provided to facilitate the understanding of the functioning of the 
European system in the field of technical rules.  Generally, a distinction has to be made between 
regulatory provisions adopted by public authorities that are binding, and voluntary instruments, such as standards adopted by independent standard s organizations, which remain voluntary.  
I. TECHNICAL REGULATIONS 
70. As regards mandatory technical rules , whether they cover technical specifications or relate to 
testing and certification, including administrative procedures, there are several instruments to avoid technical barriers to trade. 
1. Harmonized area covered by Community legislation 
 71. In this area, two different legislative techni ques are being followed.  Under the technical 
harmonization directives of the old approach , the protection requirements with regard to safety, 
health, environmental protection or other legitima te objectives of the Community are set by public 
authorities even if they would imply detailed regulation.  The directives based on the new approach  
and the global approach  establish the essential requirements with regard to products as well as the 
appropriate conformity assessment procedures, leavi ng flexibility to the market as regards technical 
solutions to meet these requirements.  The protec tion level set up using both techniques represents the 
minimum that manufacturers must fulfil in order to be able to place their products on the Community 
market and at the same time the maximum that can  be required by the market surveillance authorities 
of the member States.  
2. Non-harmonized area covered by national legislation 
 
72. In this field, no Community legislation exists  and member States are responsible for their 
respective national regulatory policies, provided they comply with Community law.   
73. As regards draft technical regula tions, directive 98/34/EC of 22/6/98
1 obliges member States 
to notify them to the Commission which communicates these drafts to the other member States; this 
procedure allows the Commission and the member Stat es to identify potential trade barriers within the 
internal market and to react, if necessary, in order to take the appropriate steps to avoid the creation of 
trade barriers.  As regards existing regulations, which may differ according to member States, the 
principle of mutual recognition has been developed a nd established on the basis of Articles 28 to 30 of 
the EC Treaty.  This means that products legally ma rketed in one member State can, in principle, 
freely circulate throughout the whole European Community. 
74. In addition, Decision 3052/95/EC provides that, as of 1 January 1997, any member State has 
to notify the Commission of measures preventing or r estricting the free movement of a model or type 
of product which has nevertheless been produced or marketed in another member State.  The kind of 
measures to be notified are those which would directly  or indirectly impose a general ban, a refusal to 
grant an authorization, a requirement to modify the model or type of product or  a withdrawal from the 
market. 
                                                      
1 O.J.E.C. n° L204/37, 21 July 1998.  Directive at last amended by Directive 98/48/EC of 20 July 1998  
(O.J.E.C. n L217/18, 5 August 1998) 
  G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.3 
 Page 31 
 
 
 II. STANDARDS 
75. Under the rules of the European standards organizations CEN, CENELEC and ETSI, 
European standards have to be transposed into national standards and conf licting national standards 
have to be withdrawn, thus bringing about an effe ctive harmonization throughout the Community.  In 
addition, Directive 98/34/EC oblig es national standards organizations to notify to each other new 
work items.  On that basis national standardiz ing bodies may ask for European standards to be 
developed instead of the national standard.  
76. In various policy areas, the Community has r ecourse to European standards in order to 
facilitate the implementation of these policies.  One example of recourse to standards is 
New Approach  Directives that only set out essential requirements for products.  With a view to 
presenting technical solutions to meet such essential requirements, New Approach Directives foresee 
the possibility of European standards to be adop ted under a mandate from the Commission.  Products 
complying with these so-called harmonized Euro pean standards benefit from a presumption of 
conformity with the mandatory essential requirements.   However, the use of such standards remains 
voluntary;  different technical solutions can always be presented to meet the essential requirements.  
77. European standards organizations have a st rong record in implementing international 
standards and have concluded c ooperation agreements with their international counterparts.  
III. CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES 
78. Conformity assessment procedures of a mandatory nature are contained in technical 
legislation, which in most cases either describe the applicable conformity assessment procedures directly or define the choice of possible confor mity assessment procedures.  Community technical 
harmonization directives based on the principle of the New Approach  from 1990 onwards indicate 
which specific procedures are applicable out of the different modules laid down in the Module  
Decision (90/683/EEC of 13/12/90
2, repealed and replaced by 93/465/EEC of 22/7/933).  According to 
the type of risk, a variety of modules  have been established ranging from internal production control 
(simple manufacturer's declaration) over type ex amination to quality assurance techniques.  The 
compliance with all obligations applicable to a sp ecific product grants the right of affixing the CE 
marking to this product. 
79. As regards testing and certification in the voluntary field, the Commission and the European 
standards organizations have set up the European Organization for Testing and Certification (EOTC). 
This is an umbrella organization under which in terested parties can conclude mutual recognition 
agreements.  Participation in these voluntary agreemen ts is open also to companies in third countries.  
__________ 
 
                                                      
2 O.J.E.C. n° L380, 31 December 1990 
3 O.J.E.C. n° L220, 30 August 1993