The CEN and CENELEC General Assemblies, at the meeting on 25 November, voted overwhelmingly to support BSI’s continued membership of CEN and CENELEC.
This decision follows the adoption of new statutes in June, which created a new type of full member for countries that find themselves in the UK’s position of exiting the EU, and then the successful audit in August of BSI’s compliance with the rules of the new member type.
Under the new membership category, BSI retains all of its rights to run committees, to participate and to adopt ENs. Whereas there will be some changes to how BSI is represented in the governing bodies of CEN and CENELEC, our seat on the Technical Boards continues unchanged.
This decision provides certainty and continuity for our UK stakeholders. It is fully in line with the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and supports the UK Designated Standards System which specifically refers to the role of European standards.
In practical terms, this means that the rights of BSI experts to contribute to European technical work continues as does the right of BSI to propose new work items, apply to hold secretariats and to nominate committee chairs.
