WRITTEN QUESTION E-1145/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(10 April 2001)

Subject: Application of ISO standards in EU Member States

The International Standards Organisation was set up in 1947 to set international standards for technical, physical and geographical quantities and units, including their symbols and spellings. ISO standards are the result of close international cooperation and are recognised world-wide.

During the 1950s, the SI-system was created for scientific and technical units (metres, kilograms, seconds, amperes). In 1974 all UN member countries and many entities (mostly islands) were given an official symbol or code. ISO-3166 establishes three codes for each country or entity, a three-figure code, a code consisting of 3 capital letters and one with 2 capital letters. If the structure of the State changes, and provided this is recognised by the UN, the symbols may be changed.

Although ISO standards are internationally recognised, they are often wrongly used. Classic examples can be found in the symbols used on cars and lorries, in international postal services, on traffic signs and in the indications for currencies.

Does the Commission support the full and correct use of all ISO standards by EU Member States? If not, why does the Council not consider it necessary for the EU Member States to use all ISO standards correctly? If so, what steps will the Council take to ensure that all ISO standards are used fully and correctly by EU Member States?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(14 June 2001)

With reference to the question regarding the application of International Standardisation Organisation (ISO) standards in a complete way across the Member States, the Commission would like to stress that the European (Community and European Free trade association (EFTA)) standardisation policy is primarily aimed at developing European standards through the three European standards bodies, European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), European Committee for electrotechnical standardisation (Cenelec) and European telecommunications standards institute (ETSI). CEN and Cenelec members, the national standards bodies, are also members of the equivalent international organisations, the ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). These are private bodies, contrary to some governmental bodies that produce standards mainly for regulated sectors such as motor vehicles or food. Both European bodies have close working arrangements with the private international standardisation bodies and a large proportion of standards in CEN and Cenelec are identical to or based on the international standard, or they are produced in parallel with the international standard.

In addition, Europe undertakes to apply international standards where possible and actively works within the governmental international trade organisations (World Trade Organisation (WTO) / General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) etc) to improve the application of international standards. The application of international standards in a harmonious way at global level is also promoted in order to facilitate trade and avoid confusion that can be created by conflicting standards. While the production and application of standards is generally voluntary, Member States and third countries are encouraged to apply international standards, including ISO/CEN standards for country and currency codes. However, application of these standards is only mandatory when expressly required in legislation. It should also be stressed that while supporting international standards development, the Commission is not a member of the private international standards bodies and is not participating in the elaboration of international standards.