EUROPEAN TECHNICAL HARMONISATION AND STANDARDISATION, “NEW AP PROACH” AND CE- MARKING, PRODUCT SAFETY AND PRODUCT LIABILITY
Frequently asked questions:
- What is CE-marking?
- Does a company selling products in the EU always have to respect European standards for its products?
- Is a manufacturer still liable in case of damages or injuries caused by products that are in conformity with EU legislation?
- Where can I find and buy the European Standards?
Action:
the EIC answers to all questions about EU-legislation in the field of technical harmonisation and standardisation in the EU and the so-called “New Approach” directives and CE-marking in particular. The EIC also answers to questions about product liability in the EU.
Quality Management Systems and Quality Policy in the EU
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ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation)
1, rue de Varembe
Case postale 56
CH – 1211 Geneva 20
Tel.: 41 22 749 01 11
Fax: 41 22 733 34 30
E-mail: central@iso.ch http://www.iso.ch
Accreditation of certification institutions
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European Co-operation for Accreditation http://www.european-accreditation.org
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International Accrediation Forum, Inc . (accreditation institutions for certiciation institutions) http://www.iaf.nu
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International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (accreditation institutions for inspection institutions and laboratories) http://www.ilac.org
I. EU PRODUCT LEGISLATION AND CE-MARKING
II. “NEW AP PROACH” DIRECTIVES AND CE-MARKING
II.1. HOW IS THE EU HARMONISING TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS?
II.1.1. Before 1992
II.1.2. After 1992: Introduction of the “New Approach”
II.2. STANDARD ELEMENTS OF “NEW AP PROACH” DIRECTIVES
II.3. TRANSPOSITION OF “NEW AP PROACH” DIRECTIVES
II.4. “NEW AP PROACH” DIRECTIVES: LIST
II.4.1. Directives providing for the CE – marking
II.4.2. Directives based on the principles of the “New Approach” (or the “Global Approach”) but which do not provide for the CE – marking
II.5. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF DIRECTIVES
II.5.1. “New Approach” Directives
II.5.2. “New Approach” Directives and the Directive on general product safety
II.5.3. “New Approach” Directives and the Directive on product liability
II.6. CE-MARKING
II.6.1. Principles of CE – marking
II.6.2. Products to be CED – marked
II.6.3. Affixing the CE – marking
II.7. PRODUCTS IMPORTED FROM THIRD COUNTRIES
II.8. COMPLIANCE WITH DIRECTIVES
II.8.1. Essential requirements
II.8.2. Harmonised standards
II.8.3. Presumption of conformity
II.9. CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE
II.9.1. The modules
II.9.2. The use of quality system standards
II.9.3. Technical documentation
II.9.4. EC Declaration of Conformity
II.10. NOTIFIED BODIES
II.10.1. Principles of notification
II.10.2. Notification procedure and withdrawal of notification
II.10.3. General responsibilities of notified bodies
II.10.4. Notified bodies and conformity asessment
II.10.5. Notified bodies and subcontracting
II.10.6. Coordination and cooperation EUROPEAN STANDARDS AGREEMENTS WITH THIRD COUNTRIES IV.1. Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)
IV.2. Protocol to the Europe Agreement on Conformity Assessment (PECA)
I. EU PRODUCT LEGISLATION AND CE - MARKING Technical regulations exist for most commercialised products within the European Union – either on a national or a European level or both. The aim of these regulations is to guarantee a minimum level of health and safety standards for humans, animals and the environment.
But a side effect of national regulations is that they may hinder the free movement of goods across national borders. To prevent these technical regulations from becoming so-called technical barriers to trade within the Single Market, the European Union applies two main principles:
- Mutual acceptance of EU products manufactured according to national technical regulations where no European harmonised legislation is applicable (“Cassis de Dijon” principle in the non-harmonised sector established by the European Court of Justice ruling in case 120/78)
- Harmonisation of technical regulations at a European level by highly technical and detailed directives (so called “Old Approach” from 1970 to 1985) or by directives that contain only essential health and safety requirements (“New Approach” to technical harmonisation and standardisation according to Council Resolution of 7 May 1985 (1) and “Global Approach” to conformity assessment according to Council Resolution of 21 December 1989 (2)) in the harmonised sector.
Approximately 50 % of the products commercialised in the EU fall under “Old” or “New/Global Approach” directives. Products covered by “Old Approach” directives typically have “chemical characteristics” (e.g. foodstuffs, chemicals, pharmaceutical products). Exceptions to this rule of thumb include motor vehicles and tractors. Products covered by “New/Global approach directives tend to have “physical characteristics” (e.g. machinery, pressure equipment, personal protective equipment, toys).
Some of the product directives demand CE-marking of the product, and these directives are typical examples of “New Approach” directives. The CE-marking rules cover a wide range of industrial products such as machines, electric and electronic equipment, toys, construction products, pressure equipment, medical devices and personal protective equipment.
However, manufacturers must bear in mind that they remain liable for damages or injuries caused by their products even if they have met the requirements of national or European legislation. Council directive 85/374/EEC on product liability establishes the principle of liability without fault and covers industrial and agricultural products. - OJ C 136 of 4/6/85
- OJ C 10 of 16/1/90
Where there are no specific EU provisions governing the safety of the product concerned, Directive 92/59 on General Producy Safety applies. It lays down a general obligation for the manufacturer/distributor on the market and provides them with conformity assessment criteria against which their products must be assessed.
II. “NEW AP PROACH” DIRECTIVES AND CE - MARKING
II.1. HOW IS THE EU HARMONISING TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS?
II.1.1. Before 1992
European legislation was to technical (individual requirements for every category of products
need to have unanimous decision in Council
II.1.2. After 1992: introduction of the “New Approach”
legislation is getting less technical and is valid for a broad range of products
decision is taken with a majority
normalisation commissions receive mandates to elaborate standards which give a presumption of conformity
II.2. STANDARD ELEMENTS OF “NEW AP PROACH” DIRECTIVES
“New Approach” Directives are based on the following principles:
harmonisation is limited to essential requirements
only products fulfilling the essential requirements may be placed on the market and put into service
harmonised (European) standards, the reference numbers of which have been published in the Official Journal and which have been transposed into national standards, are presumed to conform to the corresponding essential requirements
application of harmonised standards or other technical specifications remains voluntary, and manufacturers are free to choose any technical solution that provides compliance with the essential requirements
manufacturers may choose between different conformity assessment procedures provided for in the applicable directive.
Following elements can be found in each “New Approach” Directive:
SCOPE
The scope defines the range of products covered by the Directive. Several directives may apply to the same product.
PLACING ON THE MARKET AND PUTTING INTO SERVICE
Member States have the obligation to organize market surveillance in order to ensure that products are placed on the market and put into service only if they do not endanger the safety and health of persons.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Essential requirements are set out in the annexes to the Directives, and include all that is necessary to achieve the objective of the Directive. Products may be placed on the market and put into service only if they are in compliance with the essential requirements.
FREE MOVEMENT
Member States must presume that products bearing the CE - marking comply with all the provisions of the applicable directives providing for its affixing. Accordingly, Member States may not prohibit, restrict or impede the placing on the market and putting into service in their territory of products bearing the CE - marking, unless the provisions relating to CE - marking are incorrectly applied.
PR ESUMPTION OF CONFORMITY
Products that comply with national standards transposing harmonised (European) standards, the reference numbers of which have been published in the Official Journal of the EC, are presumed to comply with the corresponding essential requirements. Where the manufacturer has not applied, or has only partially applied such a standard, the measures taken and their adequacy must be documented in order to comply with the essential requirements.
SAFEGUARD CLAUSE
Member States are obliged to take all appropriate measures to prohibit or restrict the placing on the market of products bearing the CE - marking or to withdraw them from the market, if these products might compromise safety and health.
CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
Before placing a product on the Community market, the manufacturer must subject the product to a conformity assessment procedure provided for in the applicable directive, with the view to affixing the CE - marking.
NOTIFIED BODIES
Third party conformity assessment is carried out by notified bodies, which have been designated by the Member States among bodies that fulfil the requirements laid down in the directive and that are established on their territory.
CE - MARKING
Products in compliance with all provisions of the applicable directives providing for the CE marking must bear this marking. Thus, the CE - marking is, in particular, an
indication that the products comply with the essential requirements of applicable directives and that the products have been subject to a conformity assessment procedure provided for in the directives.
II.3. TRANSPOSITION OF “NEW AP PROACH” DIRECTIVES
“New Approach” directives are total harmonisation directives: the provisions of these directives supersede all corresponding national provisions.
“New Approach” directives are addressed to the Member States, which have an obligation to transpose them into their national legislation as appropriate.
National laws, regulations or administrative provisions, which transpose the directive, shall contain a reference to the directive in question or shall be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their publication.
National laws, regulations or administrative provisions, which are adopted and published in order to transpose a directive, must be communicated to the Commission.
II.4. “NEW AP PROACH” DIRECTIVES
II.4.1. Directives providing for the CE - marking
Directive Number of Directive
1. Cableway installations designed to carry persons 00/9/EC
2. Construction products 89/106/EEC
3. Electromagnetic compatibility 89/336/EEC
4. Equipment and protective systems in potentially explosive
14. Noise emission by equipment used outdoors (not yet approved)
15. Precious metals (not yet approved)
16. Pressure equipment 97/23/EC
17. Simple pressure vessels 87/404/EEC
18. Personal protectiveequipment 89/686/EEC
19. Radio and telecommunications terminal equipment 99/5/EC
20. Recreational craft 94/25/EC
21. Refrigeration appliances 96/57/EC
22. Telecommunications terminal and satellite earth station
Equipment 98/13/EC
23. Safety of toys 88/378/EEC
24. Non-automatic weighing instruments 90/384/EEC
II.4.2. Directives based on the principles of the “New Approach” (or the “Global Approach”) but which do not provide for the CE - marking.
Directive Number of Directive
1. Marine equipment 96/98/EC
2. Packaging and packaging waste 94/62/EC
3. Marking of packaging (not yet approved)
4. High speed rail systems 96/48/EC
II.5 SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF DIRECTIVES
II.5.1. “New Approach” directives
Essential requirements set up by “New Approach” directives may overlap or complement each other, depending on the hazards covered by these requirements that are related to the production in question.
The placing on the market and putting into service can only take place when the product complies with the provisions of all applicable directives, and when the conformity assessment has been carried out in accordance with all applicable directives.
Where the same product or hazard is covered by two or more directives, the application of other directives can sometimes be excluded following an approach that includes a risk analysis of the product with a view to intended use as defined by the manufacturer.
(= taking into account the dominant hazards of the product).
II.5.2. “New Approach” Directives and the Directive on general product safety
The Directive on general product safety (92/59/EEC) aims to ensure that consumer products placed on the market do not present a risk under conditions of use that are normal or can be normally foreseen.
The Directive on general product safety applies to consumer products supplied in the course of commercial activity, provided that:
the product is not covered by “New Approach” directives or other community legislation; or
not all aspects of safety or categories of risk are covered by “New Approach” directives or other Community legislation.
II.5.3. “New Approach” directives and the Directive on product liability
The Directive on product liability (85/374/EEC), which is applicable to all products covered by “New Approach” directives, provides a powerful incentive to guarantee the safety of products.
It is in the interest of the manufacturer, the importer and the distributor to supply safe products in order to avoid the costs that liability places on them for defective products causing damages to individual or property.
Consequently, “New Approach” Directives on product liability are complementary elements in ensuring an adequate level of protection.
II.6. CE - MARKING
II.6.1. Principles of CE - marking
The CE - marking symbolises the conformity of the product with the applicable Community requirements imposed on the manufacturer.
The CE - marking affixed to products is a declaration by the person responsible that:
the product conforms to all applicable Community provisions, and the appropriate conformity assessment procedures have been completed.
II.6.2. Products to be CE - marked
The CE - marking is mandatory and must be affixed before any product subject to it is placed on the market and put into service, save where specific directives require otherwise.
Where products are subject to several directives, which all provide for the affixing of the CE - marking, the marking indicates that the products are presumed to conform to the provisions of all these directives.
A product may not be CE - marked, unless it is covered by a directive providing for its affixing.
In principle, the CE - marking must not be less than 5 mm in height. The choice of colour and application procedure (labelling, engraving, etc.) is left to the manufacturer’s discretion. The requirement is simply that the marking must be visible, legible and indelible.
The CE - marking must be affixed to the product or to its data plate. If this is not possible, it must be affixed on the packaging, if any, and to the accompanying documents, where the directive concerned provides for such documents (e.g. instructions, warranty note)
Where a notified body is involved in the production control phase, its identification number must follow the CE - marking.
Example: CE - marking can be found on the computers of the EICC
II.7. PRODUCTS IMPORTED FOM THIRD COUNTRIES
A manufacturer established in a third country is responsible, in the same way as a manufacturer established in a Member State, for designing and manufacturing a product in accordance with all applicable “New Approach”
directives and for carrying out the required conformity assessment procedure, where the product is intended to be placed or put into service on the Community market.
The manufacturer may appoint an authorised representative established in the Community to act on his behalf.
Where the manufacturer is not established in the Community and has no authorised representative in the Community, the importer or person responsible for placing the product on the Community market may become responsible to some extent.
Customs authorities shall, in the case of products imported from third countries, suspend the release of goods:
if they find products that display certain characteristics which would give rise to a serious concern as to the existence of a serious and immediate risk to health and safety; or
if they find products that are not accompanied by a document or marked in accordance with applicable rules on product safety.
As regards products covered by “New Approach” Directives, the attention of customs authorities must be drawn, in particular, to the CE marking of toys.
II.8. COMPLIANCE WITH DIRECTIVES
II.8.1. Essential requirements
Essential requirements lay down the necessary elements for protecting the public interest
Essential requirements are mandatory. Only products complying with essential requirements may be placed on the market and put into service
Essential requirements must be applied as a function of the hazards inherent to a given project.
II.8.2. Harmonised standards
Harmonised standards are European standards, which are adopted by European standards organisations, prepared in accordance with the General Guidelines agreed between the Commission and the European standards organisations, and follow a mandate issued by the Commission after consultation with the Member States.
Harmonised standards in the meaning of the “New Approach” are deemed to exist when the European standards organisations formally present to the Commission the European standards elaborated or identified in conformity with the mandate.
II.8.3. Presumption of conformity
Conformity with a national standard that transposes a harmonised standard, whose reference has been published, confers a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the applicable “New Approach” Directive that is covered by such a standard.
References (such as titles, identification numbers) of harmonised standards are published in the Official Journal for the directive in question. An updated list of references for each directive can be found at the websites that are mentioned in the introduction.
Member States must publish the reference of the national standard that transposes a harmonised standard.
The application of harmonised standards, which give a presumption of conformity, remains voluntary in the field of “New Approach” directives. Thus, the product may be manufactured directly on the basis of the essential requirements.
II.9. CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE
Under the “New/Global Approach” directives, manufacturers must subject their products to a conformity assessment procedure. In many cases, they are able to prove the conformity of their products themselves. But, in certain cases (e.g. for very dangerous products or if non-harmonised standards have been used), the intervention of a notified certification or testing body is needed to assess he conformity.
II.9.1. The modules
Conformity assessment is subdivided into modules, which comprise a limited number of different procedures applicable to the widest range of products.
The modules relate to the design phase of products, their production phase or both. The eight basic modules and their eight possible variants can be combined with each other in a variety of ways in order to establish complete conformity assessment procedures.
As a general rule, a product is subject to conformity assessment according to a module during the design as well as the production phase.
Each “New Approach” directive describes the range and contents of possible conformity assessment procedures, which are considered to give the necessary level of protection. The directives also set out the criteria governing the conditions under which the manufacturer can make a choice, if more than one option is provided for.
II.9.2. The use of quality system standards
“New/Global Approach” directives do not provide for quality marking and CE marking is not a quality marking. But it may be integrated into a quality management system. Furthermore, integration into a quality management system allows, in certain cases, the use of simpler conformity assessment procedures.
Quality Assurance aims at providing confidence in fulfilling the requirements for quality, both within the organisation and externally to customer and authorities. The first objective of Quality Assurance is to establish and maintain a quality management system to ensure that products and services comply with specific requirements.
Conformity is reached through the implementation of Series ISO 9000 standards.
The approval of the ISO 9000 series of standards contributed to a large extent, not only to the creation of new quality demands, but also a mechanism to satisfy them. A new version of the standards was published in 2000.
The European Commission encourages companies’ achievements in the field of quality management by supporting the European Quality Award. This award rewards companies implementing the excellence criteria covering the different areas of business management.
General information on quality management systems and about the European Quality Award is available on the websites that are mentioned in the introduction.
The use of quality systems for the purpose of conformity assessment procedures in the directives is described in modules D, E and H and their variants.
Compliance with standards EN ISO 9001, 9002 and 9003 gives a presumption of conformity with the corresponding quality assurances modules as regards the provisions covered by the standard in question, provided that the quality system takes into consideration – as necessary – the specific requirements of the products for which they are implemented.
Compliance with modules D, E and H and their variants does not require a certified quality system according to standards EN ISO 9001, 9002 or 9003, although it provides a useful means of establishing compliance. The manufacturer is free to apply other quality system models than those based on EN ISO 9000 standards for the purpose of complying with these modules.
For the purpose of complying with the applicable directives the manufacturer shall ensure that the quality system is implemented and applied in such a way that it ensures the full application of the essential requirements in question.
II.9.3. Technical documentation
The manufacturer must draw up a technical file (technical documentation).
The technical documentation is intended to provide information on the design, manufacture and operation of the product.
II.9.4. EC Declaration of Conformity
The manufacturer or the authorised representative established within the Community must draw up an EC declaration of conformity as part of the conformity assessment procedure provided for in the “New Approach” directives.
The EC declaration of conformity should contain all relevant information to identify the directives according to which it is issued, as well as the manufacturer, the authorised representative, the notified body if applicable, the product, and where appropriate a reference to harmonised standards or other normative documents.
II.10. NOTIFIED BODIES
Notified bodies carry out conformity assessment procedure when a third party is required. Member States are responsible for their notification to the European Commission. They may choose the bodies they notify from the bodies under their jurisdiction which comply with the requirements of the directives and the principles laid down in Decision 93/465/EEC (1). Notified bodies must be accredited by the national accreditation body according to the EN 45000 standard.
II.10.1. Principles of notification
Notified bodies carry out the tasks pertaining to the conformity assessment procedures referred to in the applicable “New Approach” Directives when a third party is required.
Member States are responsible for their notification. They may choose the bodies they notify from the bodies under their jurisdiction which comply with the requirements of the directives and the principles laid down in Decision 93/465/EEC.
The assessment of the body seeking notification determines if it is technically competent and capable of carrying out the conformity assessment procedures in question, and if it can demonstrate the necessary level of independance, impartiality and integrity. Further, the competence of the notified body should be subject to surveillance, which is carried out at regular intervals and follows the practice established by the accreditation organisations.
The EN 45000 series of standards and accreditation are important instruments to help in establishing conformity with the requirements of the applicable directive.
(1) Decision 93/465 of 22/07/93 concerning the modules for the various phases of the conformity assessment procedures and the rules for the affixing and use of the CE conformity marking, which are intended to be used in the technical harmonisation directives (OJ L 220 of 30/08/1993)
II.10.2. Notification procedure and withdrawel of notification
Notification is an act to inform the Commission and the other Member States that a body, which fulfils the requirements, has been designated to carry out conformity assessment according to a directive.
The Commission publishes a list of notified bodies in the Official Journal of the European Communities for information purposes . The list is constantly updated and can be obtained directly from the Commission services.
Withdrawal of notification takes place when the notified body ceases to fulfil the requirements or its obligations. Withdrawal is the responsibility of the notifying Member State. It can also be the end result of an infringement procedure.
II.10.3. General responsibilities of notified bodies
Notified bodies shall provide relevant information to their notifying authority, the market surveillance authorities and other notified bodies.
Notified bodies shall operate in a competent, non-discriminatory, transparant, neutral, independant and impartial manner.
Notified bodies shall employ the necessary personnel, which has sufficient and relevant knowledge and experience to carry out conformity assessment in accordance with the directive in question.
Notified bodies shall make adequate arrangements to ensure confidentiality of the information obtained in the course of conformity assessment.
Notified bodies shall be adequately insured to cover their professional activities, unless liability is assured under the national legislation of the notifying Member State.
Notified bodies shall participate in coordination activities. They shall also take part directly or be represented in European standardisation, or otherwise ensure that they know the situation of relevant standards.
II.10.4. Notified bodies and conformity assessment
The primary task of a notified body is to provide services for conformity assessment on the conditions set out in the directives. This is a service to the manufacturers in an area of public interest.
Notified bodies are free to offer their conformity assessment services, within their scope of notification, to any economic operator established either inside or outside the Community. They may carry out these activities also on the territory of other Member States or third countries.
Manufacturers are free to choose any notified body that has been designated to carry out the conformity assessment procedure in question according to the applicable directive.
II.10.5. Notified bodies and subcontracting
A notified body can have part of its work carried out by another body on the basis of established and regularly monitored competence.
The body subcontracted by the notified body must be technically competent, and display independance and objectivity according to the same criteria and under the same conditions as the notified body. However, notification is not necessary. The Member State that has notified the body, which subcontracts parts of its work, must be capable of ensuring effecive monitoring of the competence of the body subcontracted by the notified body.
A further condition for subcontracting is that the conformity assessment procedure can be subdivided into technical operations and assessment operations, and that the methodology used to carry out the technical operations is sufficiently precise. The body subcontracted by the notified body must, nevertheless, carry out substantial and coherent parts of these technical operations.
Subcontracting must be based on a contract, which makes it possible to ensure the transparancy of and have confidence in the notified body’s operations.
A subcontracting notified body remains responsible for all the activities covered by the notification. Subcontracting does not entail the delegation of powers or responsibilities. Certificates are alays issued in the name and under the responsibility of the notified body.
The conditions for subcontracting apply to any subcontractor whether or not established within the Community.
II.10.6. Coordination and cooperation
A coherent application of the conformity assessment procedures requires close cooperation between the notified bodies, the Member States and the European Commission.
The Commission supports the Member States in their efforts to establish coherence between the notifying authorities regarding, in particular, the assessment of the competence of the bodies to be notified, the application of notification procedures and the surveillance of notified bodies.
The Commission, in coordination with Member States, also ensures that cooperation is organised between the noified bodies.
EUROPEAN STANDARDS
The “New/Global Approach” directives only contain essential health and safety requirements for product design and usage. The detailed technical specifications are established in the harmonised standards developped by the European standardisation bodies CEN, CENELEC or ETSI.
To become a harmonised standard, it must be accepted by the European Commission. The Commission harmonises the standard by publishing the title together with the directive in the Official Journal. Once adopted, European Harmonised standards must be published by national members of CEN, CENELEC and ETSI and national standards must be withdrawn.
Whereas essential requirements are binding, standards are, as a rule, voluntary. Manufacturers do not have to follow harmonised standards to comply with product directives. They are free to choose any technical solution that will meet the essential requirements. However, products in conformity with harmonised standards are cobsidered to fulfil the essential requirements in the directive (presumption of conformity).
Lists of existing standards may be consulted on the websites that are mentioned in the introductory pages. Texts of European harmonised standards may be ordered from the following European / National Standardisation bodies:
CEN (European Committee for Standardisation Rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels
Tel.: 32 2 550 08 11
Fax: 32 2 550 08 19
E-mail: infodesk@cenorm.be http://www.cenorm.be
The Community in its relation with third countries endeavours to promote international trade in regulated products by concluding Mutual Recognition Agreements and European Conformity Assessment Protocols. These agreements offer EU companies an easier access to non-EU markets.
IV.1. Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)
These agreements are established between the Community and third countries, which are on a comparable level of technical development and have a compatible approach concerning conformity assessment. They are based on the mutual acceptance of certificates, marks of conformity and test reports issued by the conformity assessment bodies of either party in conformity with the legislation of the other party.
More info is available on the website that is mentioned in the introduction.
IV.2. Protocol to the Europe Agreement on Conformity Assessment (PECA)
This new concept of agreement has been drawn up to facilitate the adoption of the “acquis communqutaire” on standards and conformity assessment by candidate countries in the course of pre-adhesion.
The PECA are based on the adoption, implementation and enforcement of EU technical legislation and aim at the mutual recognition of conformity assessment results for products subject to third party certification. They also help to eliminate technical barriers to trade for products not subject to third party certification. All candidate countries will be dealt with on the basis of a framework agreement to which sectoral annexes will be added where the acquis is being concretely implemented.
This website has been developed with the financial support of the Ministry of the Flemish Community
