The ANEC Strategy 2008-2013

ANEC is proven partner in both the European standardisation process and the related legislative process. Since its creation in 1995, the scope of ANEC activities has increased and its funding now allows its consumer positions to be built upon the findings of a programme of independent research and testing projects.

However, consumer participation faces a number of challenges that need to be addressed if ANEC is to maintain the achievements of the past and further enhance its impact.

The aim of ANEC Strategy 2008 to 2013, adopted at the 19th ANEC/GA meeting on 8 May 2008, is to enhance consumer participation in standardisation in order to deliver a high level of consumer protection and welfare for all consumers.

Key to the Strategy is a vision of how ANEC will be in 2013. The vision reflects the environment ANEC faces in the immediate years ahead and reflects sources such as the European Commission’s Consumer Programme 2007 to 2013 and the New Legislative Framework for products, adopted by the European Council and Parliament in 2008.

The ANEC Strategy 2008-2013 is implemented through an Action Plan, managed on behalf of the ANEC/GA by the ANEC/SC. The Plan is a living document as its actions are developed in response to changes in the environment in which ANEC operates. 
 

The ANEC Strategy 2008-2013 articulates the following elements:

The Mission of ANEC
The adoption during 2008 by the European Council and the European Parliament of the ‘New Legislative Framework’ for products has reinforced the importance of ANEC as an organisation with the mission to promote and defend the interests of European consumers in the processes of standardisation and conformity assessment, and in related political and legislative developments.

ANEC Methodology
ANEC will build partnerships with other organisations in order to combine otherwise limited resources in the pursuit of common goals. Although the main focus for ANEC is likely to remain the ESOs recognised by the European Union and EFTA, ANEC also aims to work with more informal standards development organisations in pursuit of its objectives. ANEC will work with Consumers International in ensuring effective representation in the international organisations, ISO, IEC and UNECE. ANEC will also build on its relations with the European and national institutions in order to improve the welfare of consumers.

ANEC working priorities 
Operational priorities will be established through a mechanism that takes into account consumer needs as defined in association with members of the ANEC General Assembly; available resources; the likelihood of success; timeframe, impact in terms of visibility for ANEC and dependency on Research & Testing projects. 

ANEC Research & Testing 
ANEC Research & Testing (R&T) projects continue to underpin and reinforce activities in standardisation and conformity assessment. ANEC aims to undertake collaborative research projects with other interest groups where a common goal exists. 

ANEC outreach activities
Outreach activities will promote ANEC and its aims beyond the Brussels institutional environment. Some ANEC meetings are to be held in countries other than Belgium in order to allow an event for national stakeholder interests to be held in conjunction with the meeting, especially in countries where more consumer participation is sought.