CENstandaarden

CENstandaarden refers to standards developed by the European Committee for Standardization, known in French as the Comité Européen de Normalisation. CEN is a non-profit international organization whose members are the national standardization bodies of 33 European countries. Its primary mission is to foster the European internal market and the wider European economy by developing and publishing European Standards (ENs).

These standards cover a vast range of sectors, from gas appliances and construction to machinery and packaging. The development process involves consensus among experts from member countries, ensuring that CEN standards reflect the needs of industry, consumers, and other stakeholders. Once adopted, CEN standards are published in English, French, and German, and member countries are obligated to implement them as national standards, withdrawing any conflicting national standards.

CEN standards play a crucial role in facilitating trade, ensuring product safety, promoting interoperability, and supporting regulatory objectives within Europe and beyond. They provide a common technical framework that helps to remove barriers to trade and supports the free movement of goods and services. Compliance with CEN standards is often voluntary, but they can become mandatory when referenced in European legislation or public procurement.