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CEN

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Founded in 1957, the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) regroups the standardization bodies of the European Union (EU) member states and of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). A total of 30 countries participate in the CEN work. This works consists in the drawing up of the European standards, but also in the updating of the latter.


Since the 1980s and the introduction of the free movement of goods within the European Economic Area (EEA), it is worthwhile noting that standardisation constitutes one of the main tools of the construction of Europe.


Within the CEN, AFNOR plays a first rate role and actively participates in the governance bodies: the General Assembly and the Administrative Board.

 

AFNOR’s role within the CEN

The European standards, recognisable by the introductory prefix EN, are drawn up by the CEN and published in the form of a national transposal in the normative collections of the 30 members, any conflicting standards being cancelled.


There exist three official languages: English, German and French. AFNOR is responsible for the French language version.


In addition to the governance bodies, AFNOR forms part of the Technical Board and of the Advisory Councils: foreign policy and finance. This presence allows AFNOR to defend the interests of its French partners at European level.

 

AFNOR’s role in the drawing up of the standards

From the organisational standpoint, the European standards are prepared by Technical Committees, each being placed under the authority of the Chairman and a Secretary hailing from a national standardisation body.


AFNOR holds 19% of the Technical Committee secretariats. This presence enables it, once again, to have a veritable influence on the drafting of the standards. At the present time, there are over 12,000 European standards published by the CEN.

 
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