Primer on Standards - OEK - OVE

European trade and consumers. Having one common standard that guaranteesaccess to 22 different European countries means a product can reach a muchwider market at a cheaper development and testing cost. Standard products gainautomatic acceptance by their target as they can identify and consequently acceptthese products: standards mean recognition.However, and just like the credit card, no one is obliged to follow the standards,provided that the products are safe and serve their purpose*. Manufacturers whodo not apply them may risk a difficult and slow acceptance by consumers. Butif we look at it otherwise, this non-obligation opens the door to research anddevelopment in the given field. If all manufacturers were forced to always followthe same process in order to comply, this may hamper the development of moreadvanced equipment. If a new type of credit card proves to be better and moresecure, then consumers would certainly accept it, and it could gradually becomethe next “standard card” to which all other services would quickly adapt. This canonly happen if the market is flexible and standards are not compulsory (providedthat the product is safe).Another example would be the A4 paper size. Not many people know the realdimensions of an A4 sheet of paper. But it is also true that A4 has become thereference for printers, folders, envelopes, publications, software, etc. No one isforced to follow it but A4 has certainly become the rule, the reference, therecognized non-written law.These two very simple examples clearly show that standards make life easier toboth consumers and manufacturers while - also very important - they do notconstrain market development. A manufacturer with a great new idea may gofurther with it. If the market and consumers accept it, others will certainly followthe idea, thus giving the opportunity for standards to be developed in that specificfield.EN, the European StandardEuropean Standards (EN) are documents that have been ratified by one of the 3European Standards Organizations, CEN, CENELEC or ETSI. They are designed andcreated by all interested parties through a transparent, consensual process.European Standards are a key component of the Single European Market. Thoughrather technical and unknown to the general public and media, they representone of the most important issues for business. Although often perceived as boringand not particularly relevant to some organizations, managers or users, they are* Except when application is mandatory by legislation.16 CENELEC. <strong>Primer</strong> on Standards