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The French standardization strategy

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Basically, the French standardisation policy is drawn up at European and international level. However, the contributors and users of AFNOR Standardization are, in their large majority, implanted on the French territory. They must therefore be able to make reference to a visible coherent national strategy which is applied by everyone in order to reinforce the French influence.

In this sense, standardisation must meet the expectations of the globalised players while confirming and reinforcing their ties with the national and local economic fabric.


It is one of the missions of AFNOR Standardization: to draw up and disseminate the national strategy, in order to put it at the service of the performance of all the parties concerned by the future of French competitiveness in a globalised world.

 

Economic impact of standardization study

English version

French version

Spanish version

 

Central Standardization Programmes

Commissions by GPN

 

Standards in the field

Standards breed success

 

Europe and International

AFNOR and CEN

AFNOR and ISO

 

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The 2010 standardisation strategy

In 2005, AFNOR Standardization launched a major survey targeting 20 000 enterprises of all sizes and from all sectors of activity. This said survey enabled to pinpoint the stakes which the enterprises must face up to between now and 2010.


It is on this basis that AFNOR Standardization programmed its mid term strategy. It is based on 4 axes: contributing towards controlling globalisation; encouraging the implementation of sustainable development, emphasising that it is not only ecological, but also social and ethical; enhancing the value of standards in comparison with the other reference documents; and finally, rendering the standardization system and the products which it proposes more visible.

 

The Major Standardization Programmes

AFNOR Standardization conducts the technical work within the Major Standardization Programmes (GPN). Each programme gathers together the principal decision-makers of tghe relevant economic sector. They are responsible for defining the priorities.

 

The Strategic Impulsion Groups

AFNOR Standardization pilots Strategic Impulsion Groups (GIS) whose aim is to organise reflections on emerging topics, during a limited period of time (6 to 9 months). At the end of this period, the GIS puts forward recommendations to the Policy and Planning Committee (COP).


The role of the GIS is:


  • to draw up an inventory on a defined subject,
  • to constitute a group of recognised experts and decision-makers,
  • to define an action plan in order to attain the objectives defined by the COP,
  • to draft a final report stating the group’s recommendations regarding possible lines of action like for example watch, information actions, international involvement, etc.

Strategic Impulsion Groups have been created on subject areas like innovation, risk management or again the safety of citizens.

 

The international role

The European and international standardization bodies are, respectively, the CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) and ISO (International Organization for Standardization). AFNOR is the French representative of these two bodies.


It is to be noted that the European standards systematically supersede the national standards of the CEN Member countries. It is not necessarily the case for the international standards.


AFNOR’s role is to participate in the European and international work. By its vote, it defends the French positions within the Technical Committees and within all the committees responsible for the major political orientations. AFNOR is thus the French structure which is best informed of everything which is happening worldwide regarding standardisation and regulations.

 

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