Number 99 – February 2009

Horizontal issues | Child safety | Design for All | Design for All & Information society | Domestic appliances | Domestic Appliances & Design for All | Domestic Appliances & Environment |  Environment | Information society | Services| Traffic | Child safety& Traffic | News from other Organisations | Miscellaneous

Revised Toy Safety Directive adopted by Parliament

On 18 December 2008, the European Parliament voted to revise the European legislation on toy safety. Overall, ANEC is of the opinion that the new directive will certainly bring some improvements to the safety of children in Europe. Toys in food will be more strictly regulated and warnings on toys will have to be more visible and easy to understand.

Unfortunately, there has been a clear lack of ambition from the EU institutions to address other critical aspects in order to allow the legislation to be enacted in this Parliament. Find out why below under the section
Child Safety.

Revision of the EU Energy Labelling Directive

In November 2008, the European Commission published a proposal for a new EU Energy Labelling Framework Directive, to replace the current Directive which dates from 1992 (92/75/EEC). The proposal is now under the co-decision procedure within the European Parliament and the Council. ANEC is closely monitoring the issue and published a statement together with BEUC in January 2009. It highlights five key issues from a consumer perspective. See more information under the section Domestic Appliances & Environment.

“Pump down the volume”

Scientists believe 5% to10% of the users of personal music players risk permanent hearing loss due to either exposure to very high sound levels or frequent use for long periods. ANEC called for sound levels to be limited to safe levels by default in personal music players placed on the market, at a European Commission conference held on 27 January 2009 in Brussels. Find out more under the section ICT.

Horizontal Issues

EXPRESSing a vision for the future of European standardisation

On 21 January 2009, the European Commission hosted the first meeting of EXPRESS (Expert Panel to Review the European Standardisation System). The panel comprises 30 individuals selected from CEN, CENELEC, ETSI and their stakeholders. It is tasked with making recommendations to ensure an efficient, effective and market-responsive European Standardisation System for the year 2020 and beyond. The Commission has committed to take the recommendations of the panel into account as far as possible in policy making. It will also invite the European Standards Organisations to do the same.

The definitive report of the panel is expected by the end of 2009. Its draft report and its recommendations will be open to public discussion at this year’s World Standards Day Conference, to be hosted by the European Commission on 14 October.

ANEC Secretary-General, Stephen Russell, is a member of the EXPRESS panel. He commented: “Although European standardisation continues to help deliver the Single European Market, its control for the most part remains with the national standards bodies and electrotechnical committees and its technical bodies continue to be dominated by national and business interests. This presents a paradox when Europe seeks to compete on the global stage with the United States, Japan and China. The European system must evolve to allow a more balanced participation and for genuine intervention at the European level alongside the long-established national platforms. Moreover, it must address the problem of decreasing financial and human resources at a time when the need for European standards is becoming ever more important with the imminent introduction of the New Legislative Framework”.

ANEC replies to CENELEC enquiry on services to its Cooperating Partners

In order to improve its services and cooperation with its Cooperating Partners, CENELEC sent out a questionnaire in December 2008. ANEC replied to the enquiry in January 2009.

Although we believe co-operation with CENELEC on technical and financial issues to be satisfactory on the whole, we consider our relationship on non-technical activities (e.g. PR initiatives, joint projects, political initiatives) to be poor. We consider our role in political and strategic decision-making in the association to be minimal (as it is also in CEN and ETSI). We also expressed disappointment at the exclusion of the European consumer interest from several initiatives taken over the past year or so, such as the September 2007 forum on the integration of SMEs in standardisation and the 2008 communication leaflet to SMEs: “You, the SMEs, join the process and get involved!”. We consider many of the messages aimed at the SMEs - as a weaker stakeholder group - to be applicable to consumers too. Another example is the workshop hosted by CENELEC (with ORGALIME) in Bulgaria during the first week of February 2009.

One aim of the workshop was to attract parties from newer Member States to become involved in standardisation. We expressed our view to CENELEC that the workshop could also have been used to promote the need for the broadest stakeholder participation possible and to offer public confirmation of the openness of the European standardisation system to all interest groups.

Commission Committee on the General Product Safety Directive

ANEC Senior Programme Manager Tania Vandenberghe participated in the meeting of the Commission Committee established under the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) which took place in Brussels on 29 and 30 January 2009.

The Committee decided to take measures against risks from the biocide DMF (dimethyl fumarate) in consumer products. Leather furniture and footwear placed on the market in several Member States was identified as the factor of severe health problems for consumers: painful skin contact dermatitis was observed including itching, irritation, redness, and burns. In some cases, acute respiratory troubles were reported. Member States voted for a Commission Decision to ensure that products containing DMF were not placed or made available on the market. ANEC supported the Decision.

The Committee also discussed the publication of references to standards under the GPSD in the Official Journal. The GPSD describes a very strict four-stage procedure for elaborating and publishing European Standards. It stems from this procedure that standards cannot be published in the OJ in the absence of a Commission mandate. It was agreed that the Commission will identify standards already adopted by the ESOs for which there was no mandate, in order to still publish their references in the OJ under an ex-post mandate.

The Committee discussed the role of the Consumer Safety Network which is defined in the Directive. As PROSAFE and EMARS have an active role in market surveillance projects, it was felt that the Consumer Safety Network should not duplicate the work already being done, but rather be complementary to the work of the GPSD Committee and the work of PROSAFE and EMARS. ANEC said that the former meetings of the Consumer Safety Network were a useful platform to exchange information between Member States, the Commission and stakeholders, e.g. on the safety of services, and that it should be separate from the GPSD Committee as it requires different expertise. A further discussion on the issue will be held at the March 2009 meeting of the Consumer Safety Network which ANEC will attend.

New pages of ANEC web site on research activities

In order to communicate the use of the results of ANEC research projects, the ANEC web pages on research activities have been revised and updated. A section has been created which details our most recent reports and the follow-up of projects. Summaries of past projects results are now also online as well as the complete studies (free to be downloaded).

This review forms part of an updating of the ANEC website which will be put in place in the coming weeks.

Meet the ANEC General Assembly

Arnold Pindar from the United Kingdom’s National Consumers Federation

Q: Please describe consumer participation in standardization in the United Kingdom

The harmonization of trade in the EU over the past 30 or more years has resulted in very considerable UK consumer participation in standardization. At one time, Which? (previously the Consumer Association) provided over 30 consumer experts and the British Standards Institution’s Consumer Policy Committee (BSI/CPC) about 80 well trained voluntary consumer representatives.

As success has grown and the emphasis has changed, especially to the promotion of standards for services, Which? has gradually withdrawn their participation to concentrate on other priorities. Membership of the ANEC GA transferred last year from Malcolm Bassett of Which? to myself with the National Consumer Federation as my sponsor from the national consumer organisations in the UK. BSI has broadened the Consumer Policy Committee to become the Consumer and Public Interest Network (BSI/CPIN). This coincides with a change in emphasis within the UK government from consumer interests to citizen interests. The Government now refers to “The Third Sector” which includes all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and, although the Government has strong initiatives aiming to ensure the “sustainability” of this Third Sector, support for the consumer part is now less visible. Over 50 consumers represent BSI/CPIN at all levels of standardization and are influential at national level in identifying new areas for standards development. Priority is currently on accessibility, sustainability, security and services. Safety as a ‘mature’ area is an ongoing concern which cannot be ignored but is less developmental than others. Coordinators are appointed for the following sectors within which these representatives operate: Construction; Manufacturing; Materials and healthcare; ICT; Risk and Quality; Sustainability; Services; International; Accessibility/Design for all/Children.

We are fortunate in being able to represent consumers across all these sectors. It couldn’t be done without the support of BSI and UK Government.

Q. What maintains your motivation as a consumer champion in standardization?

I first came into contact with British Standards in the late 1960s when I was testing toys and other consumer goods and assisting in the development of standard methods of test. This developed through the 1970s after the UK joined the then European Communities with direct work on Harmonization Directives and European Standardization. There were further changes to my work practices when the New Approach came in. Although it is sometimes difficult to see much progress in a year or two, when I look back over 40 years, the improvements in the safety and performance of goods and, to a lesser extent, services have been enormous. All stakeholders have benefited from consumer participation in standardization. Without consumers, progress would have been much slower. So what maintains my motivation? (apart from the thought that I’m not ready just yet to “throw in the towel” and give up my work!):
Firstly, the belief that as consumers, we can and do make a difference. Secondly, that without our continued participation, existing standards are likely to see consumer protection requirements reduced on their revision; Finally, that there are still many challenges for society that could be addressed by standards, from such all embracing subjects as global warning and the environment, to improving the baseline for the delivery of services.

Q. And finally what is your favourite European standard and why?

This question is far more difficult to answer than I first thought. I am usually looking forward to the next challenge rather than back at what we have achieved. Also, I have spent the past twelve years involved mainly in policy activities, rather than working on individual standards. Hence, I’m going to answer a slightly different question (I hope this doesn’t mean I’m now a politician!).

My favourite standard for the moment a British Standard BS 8848:2007 A Specification for adventurous activities, expeditions, visits and fieldwork outside the UK. There have been some very highly publicised deaths from adventure holidays, including the death of a friend’s daughter in Borneo helping to save the Orang-utan. Working with the Royal Geographical Society in the UK, we have achieved a standard specifying requirements to be met by an organiser of adventurous trips conforming to good practice. It is aimed at expedition organisers, universities and other organisers of field trips, gap year travel companies and providers of adventurous holidays and has been widely taken up in the UK. BSI is now working with Brazil to develop international standards for adventurous activities.
Although this jumps the European level of the question, I do hope that in due course CEN will adopt the core international standard as an EN, as I am sure it will save many lives. Then I shall be able to say it is my favourite European Standard!

Malgorzata Skibska-Zielinska from the Association of Polish Consumers (SKP)

Q. Please describe consumer participation in standardization in Poland.

Consumer participation in standardization in Poland is still at the development stage. This results mainly from a short tradition of the consumer movement in Poland, where standardization is one of the lowest interest topics to consumers. Hence, an effective consumer education is required to attract independent experts of different professions to become consumer representatives in standardisation. Thanks to an ANEC special project for new member states, in January 2007 the Association of Polish Consumers organized training for volunteers from scientific institutes, branch chambers and agencies and NGOs willing to work as consumer representatives in standardization. That way we could increase the number of consumer representatives working in Technical Committees at the Polish Committee for Standardization (PKN). However, the number of technical committees with consumer representatives (currently up to 20) is still insufficient considering the need to make the Polish consumers’ voice heard in standardization. Recently, the SKP has initiated cooperation with the PKN leading to an increase of interest of services standardization in Poland, both among consumers and professionals, and especially SMEs. We are in the process of discussing with the central agency of the state administration responsible for consumers protection in Poland - the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), to develop activities which could support consumers’ participation in standardization.

Q: What maintains your motivation as a consumer champion in standardisation?

I see my activity in standardization as an important mission aiming at an increase of consumer benefit from standards, thanks to the implementation of requirements which ensure better consumer protection. Safety and quality of products and services in the Single Market have fundamental significance for consumers. In this matter consumers trust EU legislation systems but generally they are not aware that EU Directives include only general requirements related to people’s health and safety and environmental protection. In many cases, the legislation is not enough to achieve such product and service requirements as accessibility for the disabled and the elderly, enhanced child safety etc. As voluntary standardization provides specific technical requirements for products and services on the European market, consumers must participate in the standardization process in order to be able to influence the development of requirements incorporated into standards. The consumer voice is necessary to express social expectations related to product features, technological processes, methods of measurement, service provision techniques etc. which are later used by producers, distributors, retailers. It is very important to balance the point of view of business professionals and scientists who are the dominant participants in Technical Committees at Standardization Bodies both at national and European level.

Q: and finally, what is your favourite European standard and why?

For years, I have been working with the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 series of standards. These are International Standards also adopted by CEN at European level (and so are national standards in the 30 countries of the CEN membership). The ISO 9000 series concerns “Quality management” and describes what organizations should do to fulfil:

- the customer’s quality requirements, and
- applicable regulatory requirements, while aiming to
- enhance customer satisfaction, and
- achieve continual improvement of its performance in pursuit of these objectives.

ISO 14000 series relates to "Environmental management" and provides requirements on what organizations should do to:

- minimize harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities, and to
- achieve continual improvement of its environmental performance.

These series are system standards and are not related to specific products or services and are commonly used by customer-oriented organizations (including consumers as private receivers). They have a fundamental role in the management of organizational processes which in turn leads to the safety and quality of products and services offered by organizations to the market and their pro-ecological approach to the environment.

Recently, my favourite standards have become the new trio of quality management standards focused on customer satisfaction. These standards were developed under the initiative of ISO/COPOLCO and provide guidance for organizations on how to build satisfactory business-to-customer relationships. These are the following standards:

- ISO 10001: 2007 “Quality management -- Customer satisfaction -- Guidelines for codes of conduct for organizations”;
- ISO 10002:2004 “Quality management -- Customer satisfaction -- Guidelines for complaint handling in organizations”;
- ISO 1003:2007 “Quality management – customer satisfaction – Guidelines for dispute resolution external to organizations.

In my opinion, the use of these standards, together with the ISO 26000 “Guidance on social responsibility”, should be promoted by consumers organizations in Europe. This could improve consumers’ understanding of how they benefit from standards and increase their interest in providing professional expertise into the development of product-related standards as consumer representatives in technical committees.

Child Safety

Santa Claus could not guarantee safer presents for children last Christmas

The European Parliament voted on December 18 2008, to revise the European legislation on toy safety. The new directive will certainly bring improvements to the safety of children in Europe given that toys in food will now be more strictly regulated and that the warning will have to be more visible and easy to understand. Unfortunately, it is hard to overlook the lack of ambition from the European institutions to tackle critical issues in order to allow the new legislation to be enacted in the present term of Parliament.

Indeed, the new Toy Safety Directive fails to address firstly many dangerous chemicals, such as carcinogenic substances, allergenic fragrances and hormonal disrupting chemicals, which will still be allowed in toys. Secondly, most toys will NOT have to be checked by an independent third-party before being placed on the market, not even toys that have caused serious accidents in the past, nor the ones aimed at the most vulnerable of children (those under three years of age).

Regarding the omission of obligatory third-party testing, ANEC notes that tests carried out by several consumer organisations have shown that many toys sold today on the European market are illegal and/or unsafe. We believe the Commission should take these tests into account when evaluating whether obligatory third-party testing should be introduced in the lifetime of this legislation.

Finally, we think the revised text reflects more the interests of the toy industry than those of children. Considering the risks which are not addressed in the new legislation, we believe another revision of the Directive will soon be necessary and unavoidable.

Snack Stacks – Kellogg’s acts!

ANEC and BEUC were delighted to learn of the decision of the Kellogg Company to withdraw its Lego Snack Stacks from sale at the end of 2008 in the food product’s trial market of the United States. ANEC and BEUC had jointly approached the company in the autumn of 2008 to express serious concern at the sweets’ resemblance in colour and size to the famous Lego toy brick. We were also uneasy at the appearance of the packaging of the sweets which was far closer to a Lego product than another Kellogg food product. Although the sweets were not on sale in Europe, ANEC and BEUC were fearful at both the possible introduction of the product into the European market and the potential purchase of the sweets by a family holidaying in the United States.

ANEC Secretary-General Stephen Russell commented: “The Kellogg Company should be applauded for acting on our concerns, and the concerns of others, as the product had the potential to lead very young children to confuse toy bricks with sweets. But it shows the need for a strong consumer voice able to draw the attention of industry to problems with what at first might seem an attractive and successful marketing idea”.

European Standard for highchairs to be revised

Following a request from ANEC and some Member States for an urgent revision of the European standard for highchairs, CEN members were asked during the first half of 2008 to express their opinion on a possible review of EN 14988:2006. ANEC said it was in favour of a revision of both EN 14988 Part 1 and Part 2. The outcome of the enquiry showed that opinions on a possible revision were divided. It was therefore decided to organise a meeting to take a decision on revision of EN 14988. The meeting took place in Milan on 17 September 2008. ANEC did not attend the meeting, but reiterated in a letter in advance of the meeting that a revision of the standard is needed.

As a result, a draft resolution was sent out to members of the CEN Technical Board (BT) for approval by correspondence, with the suggestion to revise EN 14988 Parts 1 and 2 under UAP (fast-track) procedure. ANEC members lobbied for a negative vote: although ANEC supports a revision, the envisaged UAP procedure is not appropriate. UAP is a fast track procedure for small changes. But the changes envisaged in the amendment (restraint system, castors and wheels) are significant and crucial. Hence ANEC asked for the usual "Enquiry + Formal Vote" procedure to be applied, rather than the UAP procedure.

The CEN/BT resolution failed and was discussed at the December 2008 meeting of the CEN/BT Technical Committee Management Group (TCMG), attended by ANEC. ANEC sent a letter to all CEN BT members in advance of the meeting to explain its position. The result was that TCMG agreed that the standard should be revised using the "Enquiry + Formal Vote" procedure, as suggested by ANEC.

Risk of suffocation from plastic bags: ANEC attends kick-off meeting

In light of ANEC involvement in addressing needs of vulnerable persons in the standards for electrical household appliances (see below under “Domestic appliances and Design for All”), ANEC asked particular attention to be paid to the risk of suffocation from plastic bags as there are no horizontal standards for the safety of packaging covering electrical domestic appliances. As a result, CEN and CENELEC agreed that the issue should be addressed by CEN TC 261 SC5 WG6 ‘Flexible packaging’. The first meeting was held in Milan on 5 February 2009 and was attended by ANEC representative Mike Hayes. ANEC submitted information on the issue in advanced of the meeting.

ANEC also expressed concerns about draw-cords on packaging, which can result in strangulations, and the caps on some water and soft drink bottles that are sometimes removed by a child pulling the cap off with its teeth, leading to a risk of choking. As WG 26 is concerned only with flexible plastic products, bottle caps are outside its remit. Although the topic was well received, the members thought a CEN Technical Report (CEN/TR) to be more appropriate than a European Standard (EN). It was agreed the Technical Report should take note of the following points: Focus on packaging with which children are likely to come into contact, especially in the home, but not only packaging for products intended for use by children; packaging that may be used once (e.g. on new products) or many times (e.g. shopping bags); the use of warnings as only one method of reducing risk . Some products already covered by other standards or national regulations may be excluded from the scope of the proposed CEN/TR (e.g. toys).

The draft title of the CEN/TR was agreed as “Packaging – Safety guidelines for flexible plastic bags to minimize the risk of suffocation of children”.

ANEC will prepare the first draft of the CEN/TR by mid-May 2009 for consideration by the CEN Working Group.

Child-resistant cigarette lighters: further developments

Revision of EN 13869 and Commission mandate

As we reported in our last Newsletter (Issue 98), CEN rejected a Commission mandate to revise EN 13869, the European Standard for child resistant cigarette lighters. ANEC also resisted the issue of a mandate believing an effective alternative to the child panel test must be identified first.

The CEN Technical Board at its October 2008 meeting decided to set up an Ad Hoc Group to examine the issue further and report to the next Technical Board meeting. The Ad Hoc Group met on 2 December in Brussels. The meeting was attended by ANEC representative Mike Hayes, who put forward a proposal that found support among the participants. He suggested an in-depth and full examination of all issues associated with child panel testing, possibly undertaken in collaboration with the US. This work would need Commission funding in order to be achieved. In addition, ANEC proposed that the CEN/TC responsible for the standard be asked to consider only very limited changes to the standard in the short-term, focussing on definitions of a lighter, novelty lighter and a producer. ANEC stressed that the technical committee should not be asked to consider issues outside these definitions. The (ANEC) proposal will form the basis of the CEN/BT’s response to the Commission.

Commission Decision

At the January 2009 meeting of the Commission’s GPSD Committee, Member States unanimously prolonged the Commission Decision to ban non child-resistant (CR) lighters and novelty lighters from the European market for a further year.

At the end of 2008, ANEC, BEUC, the European Child Safety Alliance (ECSA) and the European Federation of Lighters Manufacturers (EFLM) sent a joint letter to the Minister-Presidents of the German Länder. In the letter, we expressed concerns that Germany had not yet permanently transposed into national law the second EU Commission Decision on Lighters. Instead, Germany made a temporary decree under a fast-track legislation which only banned until 29 January 2009 the placement of non CR and novelty lighters on the market. After this date, an unlimited sell-off of European stock of unsafe lighters would have been possible in Germany. The joint letter said that the consequence of non-prolongation of the decree would mean a significantly increased risk for consumers using pocket lighters, which would have a direct impact on child deaths and serious injuries. ANEC was pleased to learn on 19 December 2008, the German Bundesrat approved the permanent prolongation of the decree.

Design for All

ANEC supports Austrian comments on safety of platform lifts

prEN 81-41 “Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts – Special lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 41: Vertical lifting platforms intended for use by persons with impaired mobility” was submitted to vote in January 2009.

ANEC Design for All Working Group members supported a lobbying request from the Austrian Consumer Council for a negative vote which argued that equal usability and safety requirements should be included in the lift standards for disabled persons. One of the many objections which had been raised (but not considered by CEN) during the Enquiry stage was that the unacceptability for vertical platform lifts according to prEN 81-41 to have much lower safety requirements than lifts in compliance with EN 81-70 for general use of disabled persons. Moreover, the safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts with applications for persons (including persons with disabilities with an accompanying assistance or person) are already included in EN 81-70.

This would result in lifts in the market featuring different levels of safety and usability for people using manual or powered wheelchairs depending on the standard applied: vertical lift facilities according to prEN 81-41, or lifts according to EN 81-70.

Vertical lifting platforms are considered reasonable for use in the adaptation of existing or historical buildings (or if no other solution is possible) but should not be installed in public buildings, or in apartment buildings, where independent use of the machinery cannot be guaranteed.

Unfortunately, the standard was approved and a proposal for revision will have to take into account practical experiences with the accessibility of platform lifts during the next five years.

Design for All & Information Society

CEN/BT members approve Mandate M/376 phase 1 final report

ANEC is pleased that the final report of Mandate M/376 on European accessibility requirements for the public procurement of products and services in the ICT domain was approved by CEN Technical Board (CEN/BT) members in January 2009.

In 2006, ANEC supported approval of Mandate M/376 as we believe standards need to be developed to realise the full potential of the legislative instruments which encourage a Design for All approach, such as the Public Procurement directives.

ANEC nominated two representatives who contributed to the drafting of the final report by CEN/CENELEC BT 185 WG and the ETSI HF TC. Our representatives were able to make the final report reflect most of ANEC’s expectations.

ANEC looks forward to the second phase of Mandate M/376 which should develop the complete list of European functional accessibility requirements for public procurement.

Domestic Appliances

Autumn 2008 meeting of ANEC Domestic Appliances Working Group

The ANEC Domestic Appliances (DOMAP) Working Group met in Brussels on 20 & 21 November 2008. The meeting started with a joint session with the ANEC Environment Working Group to discuss overlapping issues like the revision of the EU Energy Labelling scheme (see also below under Domestic Appliances & Environment) and certain eco-design product groups.

The Working Group meeting started with a presentation by ANEC Secretary-General Stephen Russell on the ANEC Strategy 2008-2013. Members agreed that ANEC should work with manufacturers if there are opportunities. The big challenge is to raise ANEC’s visibility. The need for ANEC to demonstrate its added value is vital as well. Members were updated on ANEC work on the ‘exclusion clause’, where the issue of surface temperatures of handles and knobs is still a problem. The WG further discussed the future lay-out of the energy label and felt that other performance criteria on the current label should not be lost.

A presentation was made on our R&T project which in 2008 assessed the viability of addressing food safety aspects in standards for household electrical appliances: ANEC will make a proposal to CENELEC TC 61 in due course. Last but not least, the WG paid special tribute to Phyl Sluce, the ANEC representative to CENELEC TC 59X WG1 “Performance of washing machines and tumble dryers”, who has decided to retire from her work as a representative.

ANEC attends CENELEC TC 61 meeting

ANEC representative Chris Evans attended the meeting of CENELEC TC 61 held in London from 1 to 3 December 2008. The most important item on the agenda for ANEC was a report on the activity of WG 4 “Use of appliances by vulnerable people, including children”. Proposals on the standards for vacuum cleaners; electric irons, cooking ranges, hobs, ovens and similar appliances; washing machines; appliances for skin or hair care; and oral hygiene appliances had been out for comment within the TC. Most of the comments concerned surface temperatures. No consensus was reached at the TC level. It was therefore decided that two proposals setting different temperature limits would be put to national committees and a vote called for.

In June 2008, industry had submitted a proposal to change the term “child appealing” appliances to “toy-like appliances” in the EN 60335 series of standard for household appliances. Discussion on the compilation of comments started but again no consensus could be reached. It was decided to set up a WG to consider the whole issue.

The task of the WG will be to discuss the comments received on the proposal from industry, the recommendation from the convener of LVD ADCO that an ‘Atlas’ could be composed and the possibility of using locks to protect against dangerous parts. ANEC will take part in the work of this new group.

Domestic Appliances & Design for All

Strategy meeting of ANEC Exclusion Clause Project Team

The ANEC exclusion clause project team members met in London on 6 February 2009 to define developments since March 2008 and to agree the way forward for the next months focusing on work of CENELEC TC 61 WG 4 “Safety of household appliances for vulnerable consumers”, in particular on the issue of surface temperatures.

CENELEC TC 61 WG4 was established in 2006 after a request from ANEC. Its work is essentially supported by ANEC R&T proposals which represent a very considerable financial investment for ANEC (already beyond 100K€). The current “hot topics” are the application of CENELEC Guide 29 on surface temperature and its extension to handles and knobs, on which no agreement could be reached in 2008.

Domestic Appliances & Environment

Commission proposes revision of EU Energy Label scheme

In November 2008, the European Commission published a proposal for a new EU Energy Labelling framework Directive, to replace the current Directive which dates from 1992 (92/75/EEC). The proposal is currently under co-decision procedure within the European Parliament and the Council.

In a joint paper, ANEC and BEUC welcome the revision of the Directive, as it should drive down energy use and push industry to develop more energy efficient products. Five aspects are considered to be key issues from a consumer perspective: we welcome that the Energy Label scheme will be extended from energy-using household appliances to energy-related products such as windows. With this extended information tool, consumers will be able to compare products which do not use energy to function but which have a considerable impact on energy efficiency during the use phase. We also stressed that continuity with the A-G layout of the EU Energy Label (a meaningful and simple label) needs to be ensured. As a third point, we welcome the proposal to require Member States to ensure better cooperation and information exchange between Member State authorities, and stress the important role of the Commission in overseeing and encouraging such cooperation. Sharing best practices and expensive testing results would lead to a more efficient allocation of resources across Europe, thus allowing a greater number of appliances to be inspected and tested. We believe however that the provisions on market surveillance need to be further reinforced to ensure proper enforcement of the Directive and its Implementing Measures. Furthermore, ANEC and BEUC stressed that the energy label must remain compulsory. Voluntary measures to label new product groups are not feasible as such measures cannot ensure that all economic operators participate and keep to the rules. Thus, the market would be less transparent for consumers and an even level playing field which is needed for fair market conditions could not be ensured. Finally, ANEC and BEUC propose that the term “end-user”, which is used throughout the text of the proposal, should be defined. Such a definition should clearly state that consumers are private persons.

Environment

European Parliament discusses revision of EMAS

The European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety considered the draft report on EMAS (Community Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) by Rapporteur Linda McAvan (PSE) on 21 January 2009.

The Rapporteur stressed the need to make the scheme more attractive without losing environmental credibility and welcomed proposals for derogations for SMEs and increased promotional activities by Member States. However, she questioned how a proposed extension of the scheme outside European borders would work in practice, and noted that sectoral/sub-sectoral reference documents and benchmarking could be useful to help organisations improve their environmental performance. Finally, the Rapporteur stressed that restrictions on the use of the EMAS logo should be kept to avoid any confusion with eco-labels. Mr Jens Holm, Shadow Rapporteur (GUE-NGL), supported the views of both ANEC and environmental NGOs in stressing that clearer and stronger performance requirements are needed to improve the content of the scheme and that it is important to ensure that any promotion or incentives to companies are linked to measurable improvements in their environmental performance.

Although ANEC welcomes the draft report by Ms McAvan, we consider some further points of key importance should be included in the revised Regulation in order to ensure EMAS delivers real improvements. We stress the need to establish binding (sub-)sector specific reference documents, including comparable performance indicators, benchmarks and rating systems. To develop these documents and indicators, the Commission should have a clear obligation to set a working plan based on prioritisation and targets agreed in consultation with all stakeholders, following the model of the Eco-design Directive.

The ENVI Committee voted on the dossier on 17 February 2009. Although the Committee did not support the establishment of binding (sub-)sectoral reference documents, the concept of benchmarking and comparability was included in the proposal, as supported by ANEC and environmental NGOs. We also welcome that an obligation for the Commission to establish a priority programme for the development of sectoral reference documents is now included in the text.

The plenary vote in the European Parliament is scheduled for 1 April 2009.

ANEC Environment Working Group meets in Brussels

The ANEC Environment WG held its annual meeting in Brussels on 19 November 2008, followed by a common meeting with experts from the Environment and Domestic Appliances WGs on 20 November. The latter meeting discussed the revision of the EU Energy Labelling scheme (see also above, Domestic Appliances & Environment) and certain eco-design product groups.

The Environment WG meeting was kicked off with a presentation by ANEC Secretary-General Stephen Russell on the ANEC Strategy 2008-2013 which emphasises raising the association’s visibility and building partnerships with other organisations. Following this, members debated the measures published under the Commission’s Sustainable Consumption and Production Action Plan, highlighting their disappointment with the fact that the main emphasis is put on energy. The group also considered the various EuP implementing measures for products such as televisions, boilers/water heaters and domestic lighting, and stressed the need for ambitious requirements and a clear and simple labelling scheme for consumers. Although members regretted the Italian (APAT) proposal for the development of an Eco-label for buildings, considered to be too broad an initiative with no clear aim, they welcomed the recent development of the new CEN approach to addressing environmental issues in standards.

A lengthy discussion also took place on the results of the work in CEN/TC 350 ‘Sustainability of construction products’. The group agreed these would not deliver benefits to consumers or professionals. Members welcomed a presentation by Öko-Institut (Germany) on the draft findings of a research project, carried out for ANEC, on environmental product indicators and benchmarks in the context of environmental labels and declarations.

Standardisation mandate for measurement of standby and off-mode power consumption

The Committee on Standards and Technical Regulations (98/34) agreed on 13 November 2008 to give a mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI for standardisation in the field of standby and off-mode power consumption measurement for energy-using products. The aim of the mandate is to develop a measurement method for power consumption of standby and off-mode which will facilitate the implementation of the Eco-design measure on standby and facilitate related market surveillance activities.

The mandate has been sent to the European Standards Organisations.

ANEC calls for ambitious eco-design and labelling requirements for domestic appliances

ANEC attended the meeting of the Eco-design Stakeholder Consultation Forum on 4 & 5 December 2008 where eco-design and labelling requirements for dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerators were discussed. As most appliances nowadays are of class “A” or better, we welcomed the aim of the Commission to phase out all appliances from classes B to G. However, ANEC called for a better differentiation of labelling classes as having only “A” and “B” appliances on the market would not give useful information to the consumers. Moreover, as many consumers leave washing machines and dishwashers in the on-mode for several hours after the washing cycle has finished, we proposed to include a requirement for an automatic power-down function in order to prevent unwanted energy losses. Also, as an increasing number of people have open-plan kitchens, we asked for a maximum noise level on dishwashers to be introduced.

For ANEC/BEUC position on dishwashers:
http://www.anec.eu/attachments/ANEC-PT-2008-EuP-047final.pdf  

For ANEC/BEUC position on fridges/freezers:
http://www.anec.eu/attachments/ANEC-PT-2008-EuP-048final.pdf  

For ANEC/BEUC position on washing machines:
http://www.anec.eu/attachments/ANEC-PT-2008-EuP-046final.pdf

Eco-design Regulatory Committee delivers vote on domestic lighting

Member States decided on 8 December 2008 to phase out inefficient light bulbs by September 2012.

After this date consumers will only find halogen lamps, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and possibly Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on the market.

ANEC had expressed concerns with regard to the mercury content in energy-saving lamps. The current threshold of 5mg mercury per lamp is considered far too high as best available technology would function with 1.2mg only. ANEC had also asked for the introduction of a free of charge take-back system for old light bulbs at the point of sale. We had, moreover, concerns that the measure could have negative impacts on consumers with special needs. For example visually impaired people need very bright light. As most halogen lamps which are currently available do not meet the eco-design requirements that will enter into force in 2016, it is unsure whether consumers find replacements for all applications and for all brightness levels.

Upcoming votes in the Eco-design Regulatory Committee

In March 2009, eco-design and Energy Labelling requirements will be voted on by Member States in the Regulatory Committee for several consumer relevant product groups: TVs, dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators and freezers. ANEC will review its positions ahead of the votes.

Information Society

“Pump down the volume!”

During a major stakeholder conference hosted by the European Commission in Brussels on 27 January 2009, ANEC Secretary-General Stephen Russell warned of a “catastrophe” unless action is taken now to impose limits on the maximum sound levels allowed by personal music players (PMPs).

Ten million European consumers - most under the age of 24 - are at risk of permanent hearing loss within 5 years from exposure to very high sound levels or frequent use of PMPs for long periods. Excessive exposure can also lead to physical and mental impairment.

Warnings such as “do not listen at a high volume” or “do not listen for a long period of time”, suggested by the draft International Standard on the safety of music players (IEC 62368 ‘Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment – Safety – Requirements’), are not always clear for consumers. This was a message conveyed by Meglena Kuneva, European Commissioner for Consumers, in her opening speech to the conference.

Bearing in mind that it is difficult for consumers to know the decibel level at which they are listening to their favourite track, and that young adults are not always receptive to what is seen as ‘mummy knows best’ advice, ANEC believes that safe sound levels must be set by default in the PMPs themselves. However, in order to take into account the need for louder levels in environments such as city traffic, a smart solution could be developed to allow manual adjustment to higher volume levels. ANEC also believes the role of headphones and earphones in protecting consumers’ hearing needs to be better assessed. The ‘anti-noise’ function of ‘noise cancelling headphones’ can allow consumers to listen to music at a lower sound levels without the impression of losing the ‘groove’ but, for the moment, such headphones cannot be considered a popular solution due to the cost of the technology.

Moreover, unlike hearing loss due to ageing or illness, hearing loss from exposure to noise from personal music players is an avoidable risk. However, the damage caused by such exposure can be permanent and irreversible. Hence prevention is imperative.

Mobile phones featuring music players must also not be forgotten. Although PMPs and mobile phones fall under different European legislation, Stephen Russell called on the regulators to ensure that higher safety provisions applied to PMPs would be extended to mobile phones. Consumers would not understand a difference of approach.

Conference participants agreed that European regulators and policy makers must look for a coherent approach, using legislation and supporting standards, which can ensure consumer protection.

For ANEC position paper on the Safety of Music Players:
http://www.anec.eu/attachments/ANEC-ICT-2009-G-002.pdf

ANEC comments on safety of audiovideo equipment

A CENELEC TC 108 meeting was held in Delft, from 9 to 10 December 2008 and was attended by ANEC representative Helmut Hintz. The subjects under discussion at this meeting included the EN 60065 ‘Audio, video and similar electronic apparatus – Safety requirements’.

Regarding the issue of sound pressure limits in personal music players and similar devices, it was decided to set up a dedicated working group to deal with the outcome of the European Commission event held on 27 January 2009. ANEC agreed to join the group as we have expressed serious concern at the lack of limits in the present European Standard and its draft international counterpart.

For the public enquiry on FprEN 62368:2008/FprAA:2008 which is intended to replace the present standard, ANEC said that making reference in a note to EN 50332-1 and EN 50332-2 (which contain sound level limits) was insufficient. The EN 500332 series describe measurements and require limits for sound pressure. Hence the reference to these standards should be normative.
Another controversial issue discussed was fire safety. A German proposal to withdraw the external ignition test from the standard was not accepted and there was also no consensus for an enquiry at national level about this proposal. Therefore, the ‘external ignition test’ is required and will be included for referencing in the EU Official Journal.

Information Society Working Group meeting

Members of the Information Society WG held their annual meeting on 2 December 2008 in Brussels. The key issue on the agenda was the new international standard for Audio, Video and ICT equipment. Members pointed out that the standard only required a warning sign in the instructions manual against exposure from noise and that it fixed no sound limitation. All members agreed that this was clearly not sufficient.

ANEC Secretary General, Stephen Russell presented the ANEC Strategy 2008-2013, adopted by the General Assembly in May 2008. This strategy envisages different ways to increase ANEC’s visibility and to raise awareness of the importance of ANEC’s work in standardisation and conformity assessment. Members then discussed different ways they could implement the Strategy and the specific situation of ICT.

Sylvia Maurer, BEUC/ANEC Project Coordinator, reviewed the Energy using Products (EuP) project and told members about a series of “implementing measures” relevant to ICT products (such as set-top boxes, TVs and printers). Members provided useful feedback on the measurement of energy consumption. Regarding imaging equipment, the group expressed concern at multifunctional devices which lead to the greatest waste of energy through the amount of time these are kept in stand-by mode. Sylvia thanked members for their participation and the fruitful discussion.

The Internet of the future should be the “Internet for People”

ANEC/BEUC answered jointly to the European Commission staff working paper on the “Internet of Things” that was open for public consultation until end of November. The aim of the staff working paper is to consult stakeholders on the subject with the view of issuing a Commission Communication in 2009.

ANEC and BEUC recognise that, though more a concept than a reality, the Internet of Things has the potential to modify the existence of European citizens’ everyday life in terms of quality of life. However, we believe that the possible negative impacts should also be addressed in the future European policy on the Internet of Things (IoT).

For instance, its various components and elements - such as tags, readers, sensors, mega databases - may have a big impact on energy consumption. ANEC and BEUC are equally concerned by the challenges that the IoT raises in terms of new threats to consumers’ fundamental rights, of which the protection of privacy and personal data are uppermost, but include uncertainties on the impact on human health from risks such as exposure to multiple sources of electromagnetic fields.

ANEC and BEUC call for core consumer principles - openness, trust and neutrality - to be adopted in the future European policy for the Internet of Things. We are convinced the only way for the “Internet of Things” to become reality is by it becoming the “Internet for People”.

For the ANEC/BEUC position on the internet of things:

http://www.anec.eu/attachments/ANEC-ICT-2008-G-062final.pdf

Informationsforum RFID conference “A logo for RFID-One step forward to consumer acceptance”

ANEC attended on November 24 2008 in Brussels, the launch of a new logo for RFID tags. It aims to create wider acceptance of tagging among consumers, policy makers and industry. A panel had been organised to discuss the impact of the logo.

Although not all panellists agreed on the idea of a logo being used as an information sign - some believed it should be a warning sign - the need to better inform consumers was highlighted by all attendees. It was clear that the issue of RFID raises many concerns, such as the remote reading of tags without consumers’ consent or knowledge, and the lack of consumers’ control over the data contained in the tags. These are exactly the points that ANEC and BEUC have already stressed in our positions on RFID and in our lobbying for the application of the ‘opt-in’ principle as far as private data protection is concerned.

Services

Commission mandate to CEN on postal services takes on ANEC proposals

The Commission’s third Standardisation Mandate (M/428) in the field of postal services and equipment was approved by CEN in late December 2008. The Mandate takes on ANEC’s five proposals for possible work items on the measurement of wrong delivery; measurement of incorrect delivery; quality of delivery re-forwarding; damage to postal items; and consistency of daily delivery times. These are specified as issues for feasibility studies to be followed by the development of standards, if appropriate. The mandate also requests that close cooperation with customers, and particularly ANEC, is ensured.

Considering ANEC has called for these issues to be addressed for many years we welcome the new mandate and look forward to continuing our participation in CEN/TC 331 ‘Postal services’.

CEN BT WG 163 ‘Services standardisation’ decides to develop new CEN Guide on services

ANEC participated in the meeting of CEN BT WG 163 ‘Services standardisation’ on 29 January 2009 in Brussels where the main issues for discussion were the CEN report on the services feasibility studies, and the need for a new CEN guidance document on services standardisation.

The publication of the CEN report on the results of the various feasibility studies on services has been postponed to early March, after which the relevant Commission DGs will consider those recommendations of the studies which are relevant to their sectors. ANEC, along with some other members, expressed disappointment that the release of the report had again been delayed, making it difficult for stakeholders involved in the studies to plan ahead.

One of the outcomes of the so-called CHESSS study (CEN Horizontal European Service Standardisation Strategy) is the proposal for a new guidance document for the development of service standards. A first draft of the proposed document has been developed as part of the CHESSS project, with a proposal to develop the guide further in BT WG 163 before submitting it to the CEN Technical Board (CEN/BT) for approval. Noting ISO/IEC Guide 76 ‘Development of service standards - Recommendations for addressing consumer issues’ already exists, ANEC has questioned the need for another guide. Several other members echoed this sentiment, recognising too that any new guidance document would be informative only. AENOR, as the proposer of the initiative, underlined that the guide would be broader in scope, including business and legal aspects as well as consumer issues. However, ISO/IEC Guide 76 should be taken into account in the development to ensure consistency.

ANEC was invited to make a presentation on ISO/IEC Guide 76 at the next meeting of the group on 29 April 2009.

ANEC takes part in work on fire safety in hotels

On 2 December 2008, ANEC attended a meeting organised by the European Parliament to present the results of its study on hotel safety in Europe. The study objective was to establish the actions that have been taken in Member States and at EU level since the 1986 Council Recommendation (86/666), to assess any new risks, to consider stakeholder views and to establish the available policy options. The study, for which ANEC was also interviewed, showed that consumer organisations consider the limited scope of the Recommendation, and the way it has been implemented, a problem and so call for a Directive in the field. This view was supported by tour operators and the fire systems industry. However, the hotel industry views were divided, with some considering that legislation would be too cumbersome, whilst others saw a need for EU regulation to set a minimum level of safety. As a potential solution, HOTREC (the European hotel and restaurant industry association) announced its intention to develop a self-regulatory industry charter on fire safety, with stakeholders invited to join.

On 21 January 2009, ANEC attended the 1st Stakeholder Consultative Committee set up in the context of the HOTREC project. At the meeting, HOTREC gave a preliminary presentation of the project and related business plan to the stakeholders. Stakeholders will be consulted during the preparation of the Charter for Fire Safety and a fire safety methodology during 2009.

Traffic

Traffic Safety Working Group renamed Traffic Working Group

At the Traffic Safety WG meeting in autumn 2008, it was agreed the WG be renamed the “Traffic Working Group” in order to reflect the scope of planned activities. The ANEC Steering Committee approved the proposal put forward by the WG. Hence since 16th January 2009, the WG has been known as the Traffic Working Group.

ANEC attends the meeting of ISO TC 22 SC 12 WG 1 ‘Child restraint systems in road vehicles’

ANEC Representative Henry Görlitz attended the ISO TC 22 SC 12 WG 1 meeting on ‘Child restraint systems in road vehicles’, which was held on 27-31 October 2008 in San Antonio, USA. The results of the Task Forces (TFs) on compatibility and usability were presented and discussed. ANEC Representative, as he had participated in the new TFs, reported from the rating of CRS in the last 2 batches in 2008, one of which was published a few days before the meeting. He also showed videos from some CRS models and explained the outcome of their testing which raised great interest from the participants.

Lastly, WG 1 discussed the GRSP request for essential parameters of a side impact test method. However, as there was a general feeling that the matter was not mature enough and the timeframe too short, it seemed unrealistic to expect a delivery of a complete test method for type approval purposes in the short term.

The next meeting will take place on 11-14 May 2009 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Highlights from 146th session of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP29)

ANEC/CI representative Ronald Vroman attended the 146th meeting of UNECE WP 29 in Geneva on 11-14 November 2008, where the biggest news was the adoption of the GTR on pedestrian safety, after almost 5 years of work. The following step will now be to implement this and align it with EU legislation.

As usual, a series of amendments to existing regulations were adopted. Of particular note was an amendment to Regulation 83 (emissions) to accommodate plug-in hybrid cars, and a clear statement in R48 indicating that the replacement of light bulbs in cars must be possible without expert assistance, an annoying consumer irritation.

In the field of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), focus was on lane departure warning systems and autonomous braking systems. There was a presentation on the driver warning principles, illustrated with blind spot detection systems, which indicated that in six cars, different warning signals were used. This may indicate that regulations need to be drafted.

The US Federation of the Blind gave a presentation on the danger posed by silent vehicles, and WP29 decided to take this on board in the working program of GRB (the working group on noise).

Lastly, in a provocative presentation on global warming by Professor Rothergather of Karlsruhe University, the meeting (and the car industry) was challenged to reduce CO2 emissions from vehicles.

6th International Conference on Protection of Children in Cars

This meeting, held in Munich on 4 and 5 December 2008 was attended by Helena Menezes and Ronald Vroman on behalf of ANEC. ANEC representative Henry Görlitz was also there on behalf of Stiftung Warentest.

The conference was divided in 7 sections: standards and rulemaking, accident research and biomechanics; test results and dummies; safety programmes; consumer information; field survey, CRS product development.

A combined presentation on consumer views was made by ADAC, ANEC and Stiftung Warentest and raised a lot of interest in the audience. Ronald presented the results of the ANEC R&T study on rearward facing (RwF) child seats, highlighting the safety advantages of RwF for children up to 4 years old and pointing out the wide gulf that has developed between the technical community and the information provided to the consumer through legislation and industry. This point was stressed by the Chair when summing up the conclusions of the conference in the closing session. The presentation “CRS-Future needs and requirements” from BASt (Germany) was very supportive of the ANEC position on RwF.

Even though there was general support on the need for rearward facing CRS until a later age, many presentations still showed pictures of very young children in forward facing CRS. This shows there is much to be done to achieve change.

Another issue of particular interest was misuse. Some of the surveys indicated as in previous years, that misuse rates vary from country to country. Isofix is seen as one of the most important solutions to address this problem; however, only after 2011 will all cars in Europe be fitted with Isofix anchorage points. Devices to adjust the harness with signals to warn parents against slack were presented by industry.

Misuse studies in Germany (from 1995 to 2008) show that although the misuse levels remain the same, severe misuse is decreasing. Surveys still attribute this problem to education; however, a side comment from one of the participants noted that it is the responsibility of engineers to design easier-to-use restraints, something with which ANEC concurs.

ANEC/CI Representative attends 7th meeting of the Informal Group on Child Restraint Systems (CRS)

Joint ANEC/CI representative Ronald Vroman attended the 7th meeting of the Informal Group on CRS held in Suresnes, France on 25 November 2008.

Main issues for discussion were the load on Isofix anchorages, a classification system based on size, ECE R44 approval versus new regulation approvals and the rear impact test. Ronald Vroman participated in discussions on classification and double approvals. He stated that a double approval based on two sets of test procedures (dummies/classification) is confusing for consumers and hampers innovation. Decisions were taken on classification, rear impact and prohibiting double approvals. The new classification system that had been agreed required, in addition to the instrumented crash test dummies, geometrical dummies to check the fit of the dummies in the CRS. Hence, the ANEC/CI representative proposed to invite the ANEC member Henry Görlitz (Stiftung Warentest) to the next meeting as he had developed a set of handling dummies for the NPACS programme. These could be a useful addition in implementation of the new regulation.

Ronald Vroman also suggested thinking of a new name for the new regulation. Cars and CRS should be then labelled accordingly in order to make consumers aware of the improved levels of safety now offered.

8th meeting of the Informal Group on Child Restraint Systems (CRS)

Joint ANEC/CI representative Ronald Vroman attended the 8th meeting of the Informal Group on CRS held in Bast, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany on 21 January 2009.

The main discussion topic was the lateral impact test procedures, a delicate and technically complicated issue. The informal group discussed in length the pros and cons of existing test methods and methods that could be developed. There seemed to be a consensus to further develop a fixed door sled test. The ANEC/CI representative participated in discussions and advocated the simple sled test as a compromise. Further discussions on this will continue at the next meeting when missing information is added to the matrix of test procedures.

ANEC representative Henry Görlitz was invited to the meeting to share his experiences in the development of a set of handling dummies, developed for the NPACS program. The information provided by Henry Görlitz was very much welcomed by the informal group as a useful contribution and he was asked to supply further details.

The next meeting will take place on 11 March 2009 in Paris and further discussions will continue on side impact. The ANEC/CI representative expressed concern with the time frame, as a proposal must be delivered by the end of 2009, and many issues have to be dealt with. The Chairman announced that he will start working on a first draft text of the regulation based on the format of existing regulations.

ANEC/CI at the 44th session of UNECE Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP)

ANEC/CI representative Ronald Vroman attended, on 10-12 December 2008, the 44th meeting of the GRSP in Geneva.

The main issues of consumer relevance were the presentation of the status report on the new CRS regulation, the status report on compatibility and discussions on phase 2 of the GTR on head restraints.

Concerning the latter, the working group had held its first meeting on Monday prior to the GRSP session, reported that the terms of reference proposed by Japan and the proposed amendments by the USA were discussed even if no US representative was there to explain them. The group will revisit the head restraint height and deal with outstanding issues such as the choice of dummy in the dynamic test. One of their conclusions was that ‘more research for better understanding is needed’, making the already adopted phase 1 GTR a bit implausible.

The Chairman of the informal working group on CRS presented a status report on the achievements so far which have responded quite well to the consumer demands. The most striking achievement is that the classification of CRS will be based on sizes as advocated by ANEC/CI, and not on masses of available dummies.

The Chairman highlighted that interoperability with the vehicle is a point of concern. There is clear intention to increase the use of rearward-facing CRS (as promoted by ANEC/CI), but the difficulty is to find a universal solution for the interface between the vehicle floor and the support leg. Alternative anchorage points are a matter of debate.

ANEC attends ETSC Road Safety PIN launch event: Country Ranking on Child Road Safety - How Safe are Our Children on Roads?

Some 18,500 children were killed in road traffic accidents over the past ten years in the EU 27 countries and road collisions are a major cause of disability. At least 600 child deaths could have been avoided each year had the level of child mortality from road collisions been the same across Europe as in the safest EU country.

These and other results from the latest PIN country ranking on child road safety were released by ETSC at the launch event on 9 February 2009 at the Swedish Permanent Representation to the EU.

The speakers at the press conference briefed the participants on the individual countries’ performance, effective measures and future policy objectives to cut child deaths on the road.

ANEC Assistant Programme Manager Ayse Sumer remarked that ANEC strongly believes that the Vision Zero target would be reachable (at least for age groups up to four years of age) if all children travelled in rearward-facing child restraints as Swedish children have done for 20 years.

For more information:
http://www.etsc.be/documents/copy_of_02.09%20-%20Child%20Safety.pdf

Child Safety & Traffic

CEN TC 333 WG 1 ‘Cycles for common use and bicycle trailers’
Further to the decision taken at the last meeting of the ANEC ad hoc group on bicycles, Steve Mestdagh (Test Achats) participated for ANEC as observer in the CEN/TC 333 WG 1 meeting held on 10-11 November 2008 in Berlin.
The meeting discussed detailed aspects of the draft standard. It was agreed at the conclusion that the public comment phase (CEN Enquiry) on the draft standard ‘Cycles — Bicycles trailers — Safety requirements and test methods’ be launched on 3 March 2009 and close on 4 August 2009.

News from other Organisations

Further consumer research on EU Energy Label lay-out shows preference for current A-G label

In December 2008, the UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) together with Sweden and The Netherlands carried out empiric research in order to test further the perception of consumers on the different options for an Energy Label. The research shows that consumers prefer the A-G layout, which is clearly in line with the joint market research carried out by ANEC, BEUC, DEFRA (UK), the Energy Saving Trust (UK), and Consumer Focus (UK, formerly NCC) (see our Newsletter Issue 98).

The aim of the new study was to see if there is need for consumers to be able to distinguish between the existing label and the updated label. Moreover, the study addressed the question if such a need is identified, how the communication could be best made to consumers. The research comprised two focus groups in each of six markets (UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Poland and Sweden). Three pairs of labels were shown to consumers. First, the current A-G label and a downgraded A-G scale. Second, the current A-G label and the downgraded A-G label both with a period of validity on the label. Third, two labels with the double scale as proposed by DG TREN in 2008. The research showed that consumers found an updated A-G label with a period of validity on the label easiest to understand.

For more information:
http://www.mtprog.com/cms/library-publications/  

Miscellaneous

Meetings with ANEC representation

Standards Out for Public Enquiry

Standards Out for Formal Vote

Published Standards

Latest ANEC Comments

Further Information

For comments, or to write an article for the ANEC Newsletter, please contact: Natalia Giorgi(natalia.giorgi@anec.eu)