Newsletter

Number 104 – June 2010

Horizontal issues | Child safety |Child safety & Design for All | Design for All | Design for All & Information Society | Domestic appliances & Design for All | Domestic appliances | Environment | Information society | Nanotechnologies | Services | Traffic | Traffic & Child safety | People | Other issues | Upcoming events | Miscellaneous

The future of European Standardisation

Public hearing in the European Parliament

On 23 June, the European Parliament held a hearing into European standardisation. ANEC Secretary-General, Stephen Russell was one of those invited to make a presentation to the Internal Market & Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO).

Although acknowledging the success of European standardisation in helping to create the Single Market, our Secretary-General stressed the need to guarantee the representation of the public interest in a process being used increasingly for the “privatisation of legislation”. Given that consumer expertise in the topics being standardised is fragmented in many countries – or non-existent – he explained the role of ANEC in voicing the consumer interest directly at European level. Noting that the long-term funding of ANEC is not secured, he asked that public funding for the consumer interest be enshrined in the Standardisation Act proposed to go before the Parliament and the Council towards the end of the year.

In concluding his presentation, Mr Russell rejected the idea of the Commission to create a European Agency for standardisation. If the Institutions did not believe the present system to provide enough checks and balances, especially in the development of standards in fields where there is high public interest, he said the solution must be found with CEN, CENELEC and ETSI. He believed a stakeholder-based alternative in the drafting of such standards – ensuring the participation of business, national authorities and consumers among others – could provide the guarantee of fitness for purpose with the essential step of national acceptance of the standard being retained through the usual procedures of adoption and the publication of the European standard as a national standard in 31 countries.
The report of the IMCO Committee will be discussed at the sitting of the Committee on 12 & 13 July. The adoption of the report by the Parliament is expected during the autumn. This timing means that the report will be influential in discussions on the Standardisation Act when its draft text is released towards the end of the year.

The programme of the IMCO hearing, all presentations and some speaking points can be found on the European Parliament website at http://tinyurl.com/34azjbj 

Horizontal Issues

Revision of the General Product Safety Directive: key issues from a consumer perspective

In light of the revision of Directive 2001/95/EC on General Product Safety, announced by the European Commission during the second half of 2009, ANEC and BEUC published a position paper in which we welcome revision of the Directive, not only as an opportunity to review its safety requirements for consumer products, but also to introduce more effective and quicker actions in the case of risk to consumers’ health and safety.

In particular, we urge the Commission to:

1. Establish a more effective regulatory framework, allowing quick market interventions and reliable long-term solutions, without delegating political decisions to the standardisation bodies
We believe the GPSD should allow for establishment of product-specific rules without limitations, either in terms of content or the period of applicability. The legislator should also be able to specify an alternative to standardisation in cases of particular risk.

2. Provide for an opportunity to apply higher conformity assessment modules than industry self-declaration
We call for the introduction of a provision that allows conformity assessment procedures involving third-parties to be established for products which may pose significant risks to consumer health and safety.

3. Ensure that a comprehensive European legal framework for the safety of consumer products and services is in place. To this end there is a need for strengthening the GPSD and taking actions at the European level to ensure the safety of consumer services is addressed in legislation.

4. Ensure a more effective market surveillance system through:
- the strengthening of the EU framework for market surveillance
- improved product traceability
- wider access to information about dangerous products
- the establishment of an EU-funded accident statistical system
- the creation of a EU complaints handling and reporting point
- the creation of collective redress mechanisms

5. Ensure the safety of child-appealing products through the GPSD by: - including a legal definition of child-appealing products
- introducing specific safety requirements for child-appealing products
- maintaining the prohibition of dangerous food-imitating products

6. Make specific reference to people with disabilities under categories of consumers at risk
The ANEC/BEUC paper can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/35zfemv

Meanwhile, the Commission has launched a public consultation on the General Product Safety Legislative Initiative which runs from 18 May to 30 July 2010 to which ANEC will also reply. See http://tinyurl.com/32oq6sj  

‘No compromise on consumer safety’

Under the Spanish Presidency of the European Union, the Spanish National Institute for Consumer Affairs organised a Seminar on Consumer Safety on 10-11 June 2010 in Palma de Mallorca. The aim of the Seminar, opened by the Spanish Minister of Health and Social Policy, Trinidad Jimenez, was to analyse consumer safety requirements in a globalised environment. In a video message, European Commissioner for Health & Consumer Policy, John Dalli, said no compromise on consumer safety should ever be made in European policies.

Chiara Giovannini, ANEC Research & Innovation Manager, moderated the opening session dedicated to strengthening the EU legal and enforcement frameworks for the safety of consumer goods. Representatives from national market surveillance authorities, the toys industry and the European Commission, debated the conditions under which the New Legislative Framework (NLF) will deliver more safety for consumer goods. Although it was agreed that the NLF represents a step in the right direction, as it reinforces obligations of Member States and economic operators as regards the traceability of goods and cooperation among market surveillance authorities, it is far too soon to evaluate its effectiveness. However, it was agreed that its effectiveness will entirely depend on the commitment of sufficient resources.

The following panels dealt with the safety of services and the role of regional and national authorities in market surveillance and customs controls. In order to respond to the changes of the global dimension of product safety, best practices in international cooperation between authorities were presented.

Concluding the meeting, Etelvina Andreu, Director General of National Institute for Consumer Protection and host of the meeting, recalled that the forthcoming revision of the General Product Safety Directive will also contribute to increasing safety for consumers.

ANEC at the European Consumer Summit 2010

ANEC participated in the European Consumer Summit, held in Brussels on 18-19 March 2010.

Nikolaos Floratos spoke in the workshop on Web 3.0 and reiterated our position on transparency and accessibility for all and the fundamental importance of addressing the needs of elderly people and those with cognitive disabilities. In a second, parallel workshop, members of the ANEC Secretariat intervened on the topic “How can we help consumers to choose the right service provider?”

Stakeholders from across the social spectrum exchanged their own experiences as consumers. Their contributions emphasised the problems consumers face. The aim of the workshops was to identify barriers to promoting better understanding and to call on the Commission to take action. We welcomed a commitment from the Commission to promote the consumer interest across a range of policies and look forward to its implementation.

Workshop “Consumer safety and standardisation”, Brussels, 13 October 2010, co-organised by ANEC

In the context of the Belgian Presidency of the EU, the Belgian Consumer Safety Commission, in collaboration with ANEC, NBN (the Belgian national standards body) and CRIOC (the Belgian Consumer Research Centre), will host a workshop: “Consumer Safety and Standardisation”. The goal of the workshop is to assess how consumer representatives can be more and better involved in the elaboration of safety standards for consumer products and to investigate how it can be assured that safety standards reach consumers and their organisations in more comprehensible and readable versions. The workshop will take place in Brussels on 13 October 2010.

ANEC Annual Report 2009

Download it from here: http://tinyurl.com/36addkj  

Quotes from principal stakeholders are here: http://tinyurl.com/393fm9n  

Child Safety

Raising the barrier for child safety

A study carried out by ANEC shows that balcony barriers and swimming pool fences used in homes across Europe are not effective in stopping young children from climbing them quickly. However, simple changes to their design would markedly improve the degree of safety offered.

With the start of the summer season, almost everyone is looking forward to relaxing at home in the sunshine. Unfortunately, elevated terraces and balconies pose particular risks to young children, as do swimming pools that are insufficiently fenced.

The ANEC study, which focused on the effectiveness of various designs of balcony barriers and swimming pool fences in ensuring the safety of children in the 4 to 6 years age group, shows that simple barriers comprising vertical bars or solid panels, with heights 1.1m to 1.2m, could be climbed by around half of children within 30 seconds.

The most effective barrier in the study was 1.2m high and inclined at an angle towards the child. This barrier stopped almost 90% of children: no child could pass the barrier within 10 seconds and only 7% succeeded in less than 30 seconds. A barrier with a wider top, designed to be more difficult to grip, was also more effective and stopped 80% of children.
In a press release from 21 June 2010, Stephen Russell, ANEC Secretary-General, commented: “Children have a natural curiosity and climbing is a natural behaviour for them. They can - and will - climb objects in their environment and, as they grow older, their climbing ability improves. But climbing can end in serious injury or even a fatality. Unfortunately, the dimensions and designs of balcony barriers and pool fences differ from country to country with many proving ineffective as architects and designers appear to underestimate children’s climbing skills.”

“ANEC will seek harmonized European standards for balcony barriers, pool fences and stair barriers in order to give more effective protection to all children in Europe.”

The ANEC study can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/3y44c9b

Spring meeting of the ANEC Child Safety Working Group

The 35th meeting of the ANEC Child Safety Working Group was held at the ANEC offices in Brussels on 22 & 23 March 2010, and was attended by members from 13 countries. A mentoring exercise was organized during the meeting to train new WG members, as well as members who are not ANEC representatives, on the mechanism of standards meetings (e.g. what are the rights and obligations of ANEC representatives), and to provide more background on the issues that are of importance to ANEC in each field of priority. In the longer term, we intend these members to take on some work of existing ANEC representatives or to become ANEC representative themselves. Members appreciated the exercise and found it useful. Since the exercise, two WG members have been appointed as new ANEC representatives in the fields of toy safety and children’s furniture. A nomination procedure is on-going for a third representative to represent ANEC in the new CEN TC 402 on private swimming pools.

Concerning child care articles, members discussed the ANEC comments on the draft standard for child safety barriers; the ongoing work on the revision of the standard for highchairs; and the problem of folding pushchairs. Members also touched upon the possible hazards of new products on the market, such as a baby heartbeat monitor for home use by pregnant women, and a baby wrapper to protect the baby from turning and changing position. ANEC will consult the European organization of paediatricians to ask for its advice.

The group also discussed the risk of children being strangled by window blind cords. In our view, there are two ways to address the risk. The first is to improve the existing standard for integral and power-operated window blinds, as well as creating a new standard for non-integral blinds to be mounted by the consumer. The second is a public awareness campaign to warn householders of the risks posed by blinds already installed. Since the beginning of 2010, at least two fatal accidents have been reported in the UK, one in Ireland, and one in Turkey.

Members discussed ongoing standards work in the field of playground equipment and toys. Finally, the results of the ANEC study on the safety of balcony barriers and pool fences were presented and discussed. See also above under ‘Raising the barrier for child safety’. The next meeting of the ANEC Child Safety Working Group will be held on 14 and 15 October 2010.

ANEC welcomes improved standards for waterslides

On 15 June 2010, CEN members voted in favour of improved standards for waterslides. ANEC followed the revision process through its Austrian member, and lobbied for the acceptance of the standards during the voting stage.

The old standards were unacceptable to ANEC as they provided a very low level of safety for consumers. The consumer input during the revision was based on a research project carried out by TÜV in Austria and was largely taken into account.

ANEC welcomes the new standards and considers them as making a significant contribution to the safety of waterslides.

ANEC speaks at Nordic and Baltic Workshop on the implementation of the Toy Safety Directive

ANEC Senior Programme Manager, Tania Vandenberghe, spoke at a Nordic-Baltic Workshop on the implementation of the Toy Safety Directive, which took place in Copenhagen on 19 May. The Workshop, organised by the Nordic Association of Toy Manufacturers, welcomed representatives from authorities of all eight Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as the European Commission, the toy industry and other stakeholders. The goal of the Workshop was to gather stakeholders to exchange views on how to implement the new Toy Safety Directive. Three major issues came across in almost all presentations and discussions. The first one was market surveillance. All participants agreed that enforcement is crucial but were also aware of the lack of funds for those activities. Safety assessment was seen as the second big task. It is not necessarily the process itself, but the difference in mindset to carry out the safety assessment that is crucial. Guidelines on safety and risk assessment are under development by the Commission. Last but not least, chemicals in toys were mentioned as crucial point. The Danish Minister for Environment in her presentation stressed that CMR substances, as well as lead and allergenic fragrances do not belong in toys.

ANEC said it welcomed adoption of a new Toy Safety Directive, but mentioned that several shortcomings still need to be addressed, such as chemicals in toys. ANEC also made a plea for market surveillance authorities to participate more in standardisation. Participants welcomed the possibility to exchange ideas during the conference and expressed the wish to maintain the dialogue.

European Commission publishes Explanatory Guidance Document on the new Toy Safety Directive

This guidance document is intended to be a manual for all parties affected by the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. The guidelines are intended to help ensure free movement of toys in the Single Market and represent a consensus of Member State experts and other interested parties. ANEC participated in the elaboration of the guidelines with most of our comments and proposals being taken into account.

The guidance document can be found at:
http://tinyurl.com/2dcj89d

ANEC visits LEGO

ANEC Secretary-General, Stephen Russell, and Senior Programme Manager, Tania Vandenberghe, were welcomed by Peter Trillingsgaard, Director for Governmental Affairs, for bilateral discussions at the LEGO headquarters in Billund, Denmark on 20 May.

ANEC and LEGO agreed to collaborate on several topics including maintaining an informal dialogue on future issues of toy safety; an exchange of views on the experience of the USA in promoting toy safety; and continued dialogue on the streamlining of the global frameworks for toy safety. A delegation from LEGO will visit the ANEC offices in September 2010.

Child Safety& Design for All

ANEC hosts CEN TC 136 SC 1 WG 12 “Accessible playgrounds” meeting

ANEC representatives Meg Galley and Helena Menezes attended the CEN TC 136 SC 1 WG 12 meeting which took place in ANEC offices on 24 -25 March 2010.

The meeting discussed the drafting of a standard meant to support EN 1176-1 ‘Playground equipment and surfacing’ as it is recognised there is an increasing need for play provision to be accessible to users with disabilities. The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child recognises the rights of the child to engage in play (Article 31) and states that there should be no discrimination of children, irrespective of disability (Article 2).

Discussions included the issue of professional supervision. It was agreed not to include playgrounds specifically designed for children with disabilities, and under professional supervision, within the scope of the report. ANEC was able to remind the WG of the necessity to refer to CEN/CENELEC Guide 6 and emphasised that it is necessary to argue against cost as a reason for not providing inclusive spaces. ANEC also proposed to develop some basic principles to increase inclusion during the design phase of a playground.

At the CEN TC 136 SC 1 meeting on 10 May in Madrid, it was agreed to request CEN TC 136 to establish a new work item for a CEN Guide with the title ‘Play for All’. The Convenor requested initial comments by end of July 2010. By the end of October, the document will be sent to CEN TC 136 for publication.

Design for All

2010 meeting of ANEC Design for All Working Group

The DfA WG held its meeting on 8 June 2010 in the ANEC offices after having cancelled its planned meeting in April 2010 due to the volcanic ash cloud. The WG had been invited by its German members to hold its spring meeting at the DIN Consumer Council in Berlin.

Members discussed the latest developments in the sector of accessibility to the built environment, covering the work of ISO TC 59 WG 16, ISO TC 173 WG 8 on tactile paving surfaces and CEN TC 10 lifts and elevators. Updates on Mandate M/420 on European accessibility requirements for public procurement in the built environment and Mandate M/376 on ICT accessibility requirements and public procurement then followed.

Members received a presentation from the contractor of the DfA WG research project on a new standard for the visual accessibility of signs and signage for people with low vision. The University of Ghent had been commissioned to study the development of guidelines for signs in public places (addressing words, abbreviations, icons and contrast).

Finally, members discussed the safety and performance of electrical domestic appliances for people with disabilities and expressed satisfaction at the adoption of the first set of inclusive standards for the safety of domestic appliances (the revised EN 60335 series, based on ANEC proposals) in April 2010.

ANEC to lead work on Mandate M/420 “access to the built environment”

In May 2010, we were pleased to learn ANEC expert, Monika Klenovec, had been selected as Leader of Project Team A set up under CEN/BT WG 207 “Accessibility in the built environment” to execute Mandate M/420.

The aim of Mandate M/420 is to elaborate standards on the accessibility of the built environment for use in public tendering. ANEC has supported this work since the outset as the public procurement directives instruct public authorities to use public money in the manner that best meets the needs of the community. Hence, it is not only the price that is important but also the social considerations such as accessibility.

The first meeting of WG 207 took place in Brussels on 26 May 2010. Discussions focused on the first phase of Mandate M/420 on the collection of information on the existing legislation as well as guidelines and standards on access to the built environment. The role of Project Team A, led by ANEC, will be to review the data gathered and undertake a gap analysis.

ANEC supports ISO/COPOLCO proposal to revise ISO/IEC Guide 71

The revision of several ISO/IEC Guides of interest to consumers featured on the agenda of the annual meeting of the ISO Consumer Policy Committee, held this year from 24 to 28 May in Bali, Indonesia. As these Guides are often adopted as identical CEN/CENELEC Guides, ANEC prepared a briefing pack to provide its members with the ANEC positions on the proposals and background information.

ANEC welcomed the proposal for parallel revision of ISO/IEC Guide 71 Guidelines for standard developers to address the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities (identical to CEN/CENELEC Guide 6) in order to update it as it was drafted ten years ago. ANEC stressed the need to ensure effective consumer representation in the proposed revision. It should be noted that the proposal to proceed to parallel revision of Guide 71 and Guide 6 was made after the final public event of the STAND4ALL project in which ANEC participated as a trainer.

COPOLCO members expressed support for coordination between ISO and CEN and requested ISO to initiate the parallel revision of ISO/IEC Guide 71 and CEN/CENELEC Guide 6 under the Vienna Agreement.

Design for All & Information Society

ANEC/EDF reply to public consultation on revision of Universal Service

In April 2010, ANEC and EDF prepared a joint response to the public consultation on the Universal Service principles in e-communications. ANEC and EDF seek the inclusion of mobile communication and broadband in order to foster accessibility of electronic communications to elderly consumers and those with disabilities. The Universal Service requires that services which are essential for participation in society are readily available to the great majority of citizens, either directly by the market or by public intervention.

The European Union is the largest world market for fixed internet broadband access with 114 million subscribers. Nevertheless, even if broadband is available to more than 90% of the EU population still only 50% of households effectively use it because it is too expensive or complicated to use.

In ANEC and EDF’s opinion, European disabled and elderly consumers are left in a daunting position when faced with high prices in order to integrate with mainstream society through purchasing accessible equipment that ranges in price but is commonly more than €500. Therefore a revision of the universal service in electronic communications is paramount to giving the European consumer better access.

This was also the message that ANEC and EDF conveyed at the workshop on the revision of the Universal Service in electronic communications organised by the European Commission on 30 March 2010, where both organization participated in the session dedicated to Broadband for All. We advocated inclusion of Broadband in the scope of the Universal Service as a useful policy tool to increase its take up by consumers.
Link to position paper: http://tinyurl.com/2dr9jcq  

Domestic Appliances & Design for All

A step closer to safe domestic appliances for all

After years of ANEC lobbying, the first set of revised standards on the safety of domestic appliances (EN 60335 series) were adopted by CENELEC at its Technical Board meeting on 14 April 2010. The ANEC proposals for revision covered the following standards: EN 60335-2-2 (vacuum cleaners), 2-3 (electric irons), 2-6 (cooking ranges, hobs, and ovens), 2-7 (washing machines), 2-23 (appliances for skin or hair care), 2-52 (oral hygiene appliances).

These are the first standards to include requirements for the use of household appliances by vulnerable consumers. The six parts will set the pattern for further revised parts 2. Their adoption represents a considerable achievement for the consumer movement and for ANEC and its members in particular.

However, we deplore the surface temperature limit values defined in the revised standards. Although the values are an improvement over the former versions of the standards, the values are not in line with CENELEC Guide 29 "Temperatures of hot surfaces”. According to this Guide, adopted to support Mandate M/346, the temperature limits in the standards are above the burn threshold curves and so pose a serious safety risk to children and elderly people.

Hence ANEC again expressed concern at the temperatures cited, for knobs and handles in particular, during the Unique Acceptance Procedure (UAP) on further standards for the safety of domestic appliances (EN60335-2-25 on microwave ovens and EN60335-2-9 on particular requirements for grills, toasters and similar portable cooking appliances) in May 2010.

Domestic Appliances

Meeting of the ANEC Domestic Appliances Working Group

The Domestic Appliances Working Group met at the ANEC offices on 6 and 7 May 2010.

Members expressed disappointment at the revised energy efficiency label. A label that looks different from product to product will make it difficult for consumers to understand which product in any one group is the most efficient. The group reiterated its position that an energy label for gas appliances should be comparable, applicable and usable in the same way as for electrical appliances: consumers should be able to compare a gas cooker with an electric cooker in a shop, in terms of energy consumption. An update on ecodesign activities for domestic appliances was provided by Sylvia Maurer, ANEC/BEUC EuP Project Coordinator. Following ANEC’s application for direct participation in IEC TC 59, dealing with the performance of household appliances at the international level, members were pleased to learn that ANEC has been invited to attend the IEC TC 59 meeting in October 2010.

On the safety of household appliances, members welcomed the ratification of the first six CENELEC standards that will take into account use by vulnerable people. ANEC played a leading role in the development of these standards. Consumer representatives also played a key role in the setting up of a proposal concerning toasters as a first example of accessibility-standard for household appliances.

Members also discussed a draft mandate for cooktop fires; the PROSAFE joint action on child appealing electrical products and the adoption of CENELEC Guide 29 on surface temperatures as an IEC Guide. On the latter, members agreed that ANEC could not support the wording of the current IEC draft as it is significantly different from Guide 29 and permits a relaxation of the CENELEC requirements.

ANEC attends Low Voltage Directive Working Party meeting

A meeting of the Low Voltage Directive Working Party (LVD-WP) was held in Luxembourg on 27 May and was attended by ANEC Senior Programme Manager, Tania Vandenberghe. An update was given by the Chair of CENELEC TC 61 on its activities. He expressed concern at the heavy workload of TC 61, due to many mandates from the Commission and other European initiatives. Member States and the Commission understood the concern, but noted it was a consequence of the use of European standards to support European legislation in the creation of the Single Market. ANEC noted that mandates should be seen as positive, as they are a political support to the work of the European Standards Organisations and ensure a close follow-up by Member States and their authorities.

The WP discussed alignment of the LVD with the New Legal Framework (NLF). ANEC asked the Commission to align the concept of safety in the LVD with other European legislation, such as the General Product Safety Directive, in order to take into account reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.

The LVD takes into account only the use in applications for which the electrical equipment was made. However, the Commission declined the request.

Some Member States expressed concern about the standard for steam cleaners because of burns caused by hot water or steam. It appears TC 61 did not fulfil an agreement made with the authorities in 2003. The authorities therefore asked TC 61 to amend the standard EN 60335-2-54. In addition, the wish was expressed that authorities should be involved before standards are accepted by the Commission as ‘harmonised’.

ANEC reminded authorities of the importance of their involvement in standards development, especially noting their responsibility for market surveillance.

ANEC and Consumers International attend IEC TC 61 meeting

ANEC/CI representative, Javier Garcia, participated in the IEC TC 61 meeting in Bangkok from 17 to 21 May 2010.

The most important item was further discussion of surface temperature limit values in the IEC 60335 series of standards. ANEC/CI had submitted comments on the standard IEC 60335-2-9 for grills, toasters and similar portable cooking appliances in advance of the meeting.

In these comments, we noted that, when due to the construction or dimensional limitations of the appliance, the required temperature values cannot be met, the maximum temperature rise ought not be higher than twice the value indicated. This comment was accepted. In light of a possible adoption of CENELEC Guide 29 on surface temperatures as IEC Guide, IEC TC 61 discussed whether IEC Guides should be considered as mandatory or not. There was no agreement.

A Dutch proposal to introduce an instruction not to use sunscreen products that accelerate tanning in the standard for sun beds was not accepted. ANEC/CI, supported by some countries, argued that it could be too difficult for a consumer to distinguish between one type of sunscreen or another, and that it is a potential risk to allow the use of some type of sunscreens but not others.

Draft standard for mini motorbikes unacceptable to ANEC

The draft standard prEN 16029 ‘Ride-on, motorized vehicles intended for the transportation of persons and not intended for use on public roads - Safety requirements - Single-track two-wheel motor vehicles’ was out for comment until 10 May 2010. ANEC strongly disapproves of the draft as it does not include child safety aspects such as speed or age limits.

CEN TC 354, which developed the draft, was created due to the need for standards in the field of mini motorbikes, following several fatal accidents involving children. This is hugely disappointing bearing in mind the Business Plan of TC 354 says that “The whole standardization work will not be performed for the benefit of one regional industry but with a view to increase the safety of all the European citizens, and especially youngsters and children by setting the minimum safety requirements of the products and by improving the consumer information”. Moreover, the Business Plan indicates that one of the expected benefits of the work of the TC is to “Increase the safety of all the European citizens, and especially that of children”. The current draft clearly neglects the text of the Business Plan when it comes to the protection of children and to the introduction of minimum child safety requirements.

Hence, ANEC proposed age and speed limits be introduced in the standard, with a maximum speed limit for each age group. ANEC also believes mini motorbikes must not be used by children under the age of 6 years. We proposed a warning be put both on the motorbike and the instructions for use to stress the product is not suitable for children under 6 years. This warning should be visible at the point of sale (including the internet) and be permanently marked on the product. We also proposed a second warning not to use the motorbike on public roads and the need for protective equipment to be worn.

ANEC will appeal against the ratification of the standard if the final text does not reflect our concerns.

Environment

The Energy Label loses its power

On 19 May, the European Parliament voted to adopt revised legislation on the energy labelling of products.

Although we welcome that the new directive will see use of the well-known Energy Label extended to products other than domestic appliances, we deplore a decision that will lead the Energy Label to look different from product to product as it will be possible to label three additional classes - A+, A++ and A+++ - depending on the product group. It will thus be difficult for consumers to understand which product in any one group is the most efficient.

ANEC regrets the previous message ‘Buy A’, which was easy to convey to consumers and well understood by consumers, will be lost. We also fear the undoubted success of the old Label in encouraging consumers to make the most sustainable choice will not be continued.

The new directive foresees a review of the Label in 2014. We called for such a review, and a survey of consumer perceptions, to be conducted no later than one year after the entry into force of the new Label. We consider this is the only way to lead to a reorientation of the Label that will help consumers take the most sustainable decisions in their purchases and encourage manufacturers to further develop the production of ever more energy-efficient products.

ANEC proposals to ensure Voluntary Agreements in ecodesign deliver

The Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC foresees industry voluntary agreements (VAs) under some conditions as alternatives to legislation. In answer to our call to ensure a coherent approach to Eco-design and VAs in particular (see Newsletter 103), the European Commission recently proposed draft guidelines aiming to specify the minimum criteria that VAs have to meet in order to be accepted as a substitute for legislation setting mandatory ecodesign requirements.

ANEC and BEUC therefore issued a second position, complementing our January 2010 position on VAs and proposing changes to the guidelines to ensure that Voluntary Agreements will be prioritised over Ecodesign Implementing Measures only under strict conditions.

In the position, we stress that, although industry is responsible for achieving the aims of a VA, it should not decide on the content and instruments of a VA alone. We call on the Commission to systematically carry out an impact assessment of proposals for VAs and for the measures to be based on ecodesign preparatory studies that follow common methodology. We believe VAs should represent high market coverage, and be updated in the light of progress. In addition, we ask for all VAs to provide for an independent audit and sanctions and for information on the performance of companies and product groups to be made transparent and easily accessible. Finally we stress the need for the Commission to develop criteria for assessing the failure of VAs. In case a VA should not be successful, we believe the Commission should replace it with regulation.

New developments towards more energy efficient domestic appliances

ANEC supported the Commission proposal to set mandatory requirements for the energy consumption of washing machines and dishwashers and to phase out the least efficient appliances from the market. We thus welcomed adoption of these ecodesign implementing by the Regulatory Committee for Ecodesign on 28 May 2010. With this legislation, the worst performing appliances of Energy Label classes B to G will be banned from the market. In a second phase, even the class A products currently available to consumers will be phased out, leaving only the most energy efficient washing machines and dishwashers on the market.

Although we welcome the envisaged ecodesign requirements, we doubt that the related labelling requirements will be of help to consumers. The proposed Energy Label for dishwashers and washing machines presents a layout whereby classes will go from A+++ to D. We consider such a layout will be confusing as, by law, no appliances of class B to D will remain on the market. A consumer buying an appliance of class A would not be buying one of the most efficient products but in fact one of the least efficient.

The draft legislation is now subject to the scrutiny of the European Parliament and Council. ANEC will follow developments closely.

In addition, ANEC welcomed the recent proposal of the European Commission to lower the negative environmental impacts of vacuum cleaners and laundry driers. In the case of laundry dryers, we consider binding ecodesign measures should be set to remove inefficient appliances in low energy efficiency classes (from D to F) from the market. We also welcome the proposal to update and strengthen the Energy Labelling requirements for the appliances in the near future and will argue for coherence to be ensured among the different labels being developed for different categories.

Information Society

An EU digital agenda for consumers?

ANEC reiterated its call for the Digital Agenda to be set by consumers, for consumers on the occasion of the release of the European Commission initiative “Digital Agenda for Europe" on 19 May 2010. “It is with great interest and anticipation that we take note of the European Commission plans to put interoperability, inclusion and consumer trust at the centre of the Digital Single Market” said ANEC Secretary-General, Stephen Russell “In particular, we welcome the adoption of the principle of ‘privacy by design’ to ensure the fundamental rights of privacy and data protection are respected. We also welcome the commitment of the Commission to make legislative proposals to ensure public sector websites are fully accessible by 2015. We called for mandatory web-accessibility provisions to be adopted, bearing in mind the barriers experienced by many consumers with disabilities in using the Internet”.

However, if the Digital Agenda is genuinely to serve the needs and interests of European consumers, then the technical standards supporting it must be developed through an open and transparent process. ANEC believes it vital for the standardisation process underpinning the implementation of ICT technologies to ensure full and effective consumer participation in order for it not to be directed exclusively by the wishes of business.

Link to press release: http://tinyurl.com/2uysgde 

ANEC comments on EMF standards

In May 2010 ANEC commented on prEN 50554:2010 “Basic standard for the in-situ assessment of a broadcast site related to general public exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields” (EMF), out for public enquiry.

The scope of the standard is to “specify the method for assessing overall exposure from fixed radio frequency sources at a broadcast site” and concerns broadcasting services that are radiocommunication services intended for direct reception by the general public. These services may include sound transmissions, television transmissions or other types of transmission.

ANEC said that all EMF emissions sources should be taken into account in order not to set hidden exclusionary limits based on the total exposure at one location. The principle of relevance is based on a relative ratio of the contribution of one single source to the total exposure. Even if the contribution of one source is low compared with the total level, there is no argument not considered to it relevant.

In addition, ANEC reiterated its comments on the need to include measurement uncertainties when making comparisons with reference levels.

ANEC speaks at the 2nd Annual Internet of Things Europe 2010: A Roadmap for Europe

ANEC spoke at the 2nd Annual Internet of Things (IoT) meeting in Brussels on the 1 & 2 June 2010. The event aimed at gathering stakeholders to discuss how the Internet of Things roadmap will shape citizens’ interactions with the real and virtual worlds in the coming years.

Participating in the session dedicated to privacy and security by design, ANEC Research and Innovation Manager, Chiara Giovannini, said consumers should be fully informed about the impacts of IoT applications and should remain in control of any application and function. Reiterating the message previously conveyed by Peter Hustinx, Supervisor, European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), she added that privacy and personal data protection are fundamental values which need to be respected in the IoT environment. For ANEC, privacy and security by design means privacy-friendly technology leading to privacy-friendly standards supporting privacy-friendly policy, such as in the case of the application of the opt-in principle. Moreover, it should not be forgotten that consumers expect the highest privacy and security limits to be set as default in IoT applications.

Concluding her intervention, Ms Giovannini said that consumers need confidence to fully embrace the Internet of Things and enjoy its potential benefits. ANEC is convinced the only way for the “Internet of Things” to become reality is by it becoming the “Internet for People”. This was also the message of the European Commissioner for Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, and Maria Badia i Cutchet MEP, Rapporteur for the Action Plan for Europe on IoT.

Nanotechnologies

ANEC/BEUC meet on Nanotechnology and first EU nanoconversation

ANEC/BEUC experts met in Brussels on 14 June to discuss the challenges posed to consumer welfare by nanotechnology. The meeting also prepared for the first ‘EU nanoconversation’ organised by the European Commission (DG SANCO) the next day.

The experts welcomed recent regulatory developments on nanotechnologies such as the EP committee votes on the revision of the Novel Food Regulation and the Directive on Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS). In both cases, MEPs showed a precautionary approach towards nanomaterials as they called for restrictions on the use of nanosilver and long multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Members also discussed the latest developments in standardisation such as the ANEC comments on the draft CEN/TS 13830 document “Guidance on labelling of manufactured nano-objects and products containing manufactured nano-objects”.

Attending the first EU nanoconversation - on the theme of nanotechnologies in textiles - the ANEC/BEUC delegation stressed that consumers expect all products to be safe on the market, irrespective of their origin or composition. The aim of the event was to build trust in nanotechnologies by establishing a dialogue among different stakeholders. In order to meet consume expectations and build trust, we called for the assessment of the safety of materials by independent scientific bodies before they are used in consumer products as well as adaptation of existing European legislation relevant to nanomaterials or the development of new legislation.

ANEC comments on draft CEN TS 13830 "Guidance on the labelling of manufactured nano-objects and products containing manufactured nano-objects"

During spring 2010, ANEC commented on draft CEN/TS 13830 “Guidance on the labelling of manufactured nano-objects and products containing manufactured nano-objects”.

An objective of the labels of manufactured nano-objects and products containing manufactured nano-objects should be to provide information to consumers and enable them to make informed purchasing decisions. We proposed additional information about the physical properties of items, including CAS number, size range, specific surface area and aspect ration. Such additional information would also serve the interests of parties such as authorities, healthcare professionals, consumer organizations, environmental NGOs and trade unions.

Furthermore, it is important the Guide addresses not only nanoscale entities but also materials composed of such entities (agglomerates and aggregates). And, if the product does not contain nanomaterials, it should not use the term ‘nano’ in its promotional materials.

Services

New steps towards services standardisation to be welcomed

ANEC participated in the meeting of CEN/BT WG 163 ‘Services Standardisation’ in Madrid on 4-5 March 2010 where the draft of a guidance document on the preparation of service standards was considered.
Before the meeting, ANEC informed the group that we could not make comments on the draft document until the role of the proposed guide vis-à-vis the existing ISO/IEC Guide 76 “Development of service standards - Recommendations for addressing consumer issues” was clarified. We stressed the need to first agree on the future role of the guide within CEN and ISO in order to be able to assess the most appropriate content for such a document and avoid duplication of work. We also asked that the group to consider CEN/BT Resolution 32/2009 which asks CEN BT/WG 163 ’Services’ to “incorporate into the draft guide some guidance on the possibility and opportunity to develop European Standards (or other types of deliverables) on subjects in the field of services, where the national legislative and standardization environments are highly dissimilar across Europe”.

Both issues were discussed at the meeting. We welcomed the conclusion of WG 163 that there should be one common CEN/ISO document providing guidance on service standardisation. Moreover, ANEC’s call regarding A-deviations was widely supported by the members of the group and the Chair agreed to draft guidance on how to treat A-deviations in service standards to go in the Guide to standards developers.

As the role of the Guide had been clarified, ANEC provided technical comments on its content in May 2010.

ANEC welcomes future standardisation of aesthetic surgery services

Aesthetic surgery services (ASS) present a problem due to the increasing prevalence of surgery tourism, the disparities in service quality and safety across Europe, and the risks associated with surgery, often downplayed when these services are marketed to consumers. Considering the lack of European regulation on ASS, ANEC expressed strong support in February 2010 for a CEN proposal to create a CEN Project Committee (PC) to work on a standard for ASS.

ANEC attended the CEN information session on ASS, held on 9 April, which aimed to inform parties how European standardisation activities work, and what the ASS standardisation project was about. During the session ANEC Programme Manager, Laura Degallaix, expressed our strong support for the creation of the CEN/PC and stressed the need for ambitious standards on ASS to be developed. She presented the key consumer concerns and demands that need to be covered by the future standard. In particular, she stressed the need for clear definitions and asked for minimum requirements for qualifications and the training of personnel. She stressed that requirements for medical history checks be key and asked for CEN and the Commission to collaborate on this, as consumer organisations have long called for cross-border access to patient safety to be required under the Patients’ Safety Directive. Finally, she recommended involving patients’ organisations in the future discussions.

Our efforts were rewarded when the proposal for the creation of a PC on ASS (called CEN/PC 403) was approved by the CEN Technical Board in April). ANEC has launched a procedure for the nomination of an ANEC Representative to the new CEN Project Committee.

ANEC at 10^th European Fire Academy Roundtable

ANEC made a presentation on hotel fire safety at the European Fire Academy (EFA) Roundtable in Brussels, on 4 June. EFA is a platform for the exchange of best practices for those in fire safety. Other viewpoints were given by HOTREC (hotel industry), the European Commission and British Tour Operators (ABTA/FTO).

Michela Vuerich, from the ANEC Secretariat, presented the consumer perspective on hotel fire safety and our involvement in the longstanding discussions to go beyond Recommendation 86/666/EC on fire safety in existing hotels. She summarised the ANEC contribution to the HOTREC project on a Charter and MBS methodology for hotel fire safety in Europe and concluded by stressing the failure of voluntary instruments in the field and the need for legislation. ABTA/FTO reiterated their call on a European Directive on Tourist Accommodation Safety.

The audience featured fire chiefs from several European capitals, representatives of burns organizations and EFA technology partners. The debate focused on the HOTREC initiative on hotel fire safety and the means to move forward in order to ensure a reduction in hotel fire casualties and injuries across Europe.

ANEC attends meetings of ISO TC 228 ‘Tourism and related services’

On 21-23 April, ANEC participated in the plenary meeting of ISO TC 228 ‘Tourism and related services’ and the meeting of WG 7 ‘Adventure tourism’ in Foz du Iguaçu. WG 5 ‘Beaches’ was also attended by ANEC.

Most WGs in ISO TC 228 are having problems with drafting a quality management systems standard that should not include specifications or references to other standards. ANEC representative, Conchy Martin Rey, called for the TC to intervene in this matter. It was agreed that a Task Group would be formed to deal with the subject of management systems in tourism services.

At the TC plenary meeting, there were discussions on a proposal to form a WG to deal with environmentally-friendly accommodations. Its scope would deal with energy efficiency, water consumption, management of hazardous substances, and the training of staff. Some members were against the initiative.

In WG 7, the ANEC representative presented three requirements for adventure tourism: safety, information provision and accessibility. She expressed concern at the risk of a standard with three separate parts which may lead providers to use only one part. WG 7 is working on a possible solution in this respect.

ANEC position paper on Consumer Requirements in Tourism Services

With a view to ANEC participation in the activities of ISO TC 228 ‘Tourism and related activities’ and the acknowledgement of tourism as an EU competence policy under the Lisbon Treaty, in June, ANEC published a preliminary position paper on Consumer Requirements in Tourism Services (ANEC-SERV-2010-G-010).

It should be noted that the European Commission envisages preparing a Communication on the new framework for tourism policy in the EU. In our position, we stress that, in order to meet consumers’ needs and expectations, the new framework for European tourism policy should address safety, information provision and accessibility. When travelling, consumers expect at least an equal level of safety of services provided abroad as received in their home countries: information provision constitutes one of the most important elements in ensuring service safety. Regrettably many people with disabilities still face problems in accessing services in the tourism and transport fields.

The new EU tourism policy should be based on a European legislative framework for the safety (and quality) of services where use of standards could be made to specify detailed requirements. We also encourage international standardisation work in view of supporting the implementation of public policies in this area.

The ANEC position paper can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/39hqlbd  

Traffic

ANEC/CI attends further meetings of the GRSP Informal Group on Child Restraint Systems (CRS)

Further meetings of the Informal Group on Child Restraint Systems (CRS) were held in March & April 2010 to finalise the draft new regulation on child restraints. Ronald Vroman attended both on behalf of ANEC/Consumers International (CI).

The meeting in March was mainly spent on fine tuning the draft regulation on I-Size restraints. The double-marking issue was still outstanding. Discussion was reopened in answer to our plea that the regulation prohibits double marking.

There was agreement on the need to warn explicitly on all CRS, not only dual mode seats, not to use forward facing seats under 15 months of age.

In the December session of GRSP, a discussion started to dilute the requirements for the airbag warning label in cars (R94). There is a strong preference among the industry to avoid text (as currently requested), as there are more languages in the EU now. The Commission expressed a preference for pictograms but wants assurance these will be easily understandable. ANEC will follow the discussions closely to ensure any modification is at least as good as the current label.

At the 18th meeting in April, most time was spent polishing the draft regulation on CRS. The draft expects that the airbag warning label in cars will be modified as this label must be incorporated in the regulation on CRS as well. The ANEC/CI representative objected to this clause and said that the discussion on R94 (airbag warning label in car) must take place in GRSP. He underlined that this issue must be discussed on a case by case basis. Unfortunately ANEC/CI’s comment was not acknowledged in the document sent to GRSP.

Another item was the discussion on neck loads. On the proposed injury criteria, the chairman stated that neck loads will be recorded for monitoring purposes for the time being. He suggested there are not many field accident cases, so making it difficult to set limits. Sweden disagreed strongly. The Chair also suggested that mandatory rearward facing transport up 15 months will help as well as, in this category, neck loads are less a concern. The Commission stated there should be no burden on the industry that is not based on scientific proof. Discussions on the issue will continue in future meetings. ANEC/CI is likely not to accept the monitoring-only option.

The informal group has to await the outcome of the discussions in the GRSP May meeting as well as the outcome of the validation programme. The draft of the new regulation sent to GRSP can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/29sz7pj

ANEC/CI at UN-ECE Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP)

ANEC/CI representative, Ronald Vroman, participated in the 47th session of the UN-ECE Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP), held on 17-21 May 2010 in Geneva.

Of particular concern to consumers were the discussions on the new regulation on CRS, the proposal to change the airbag warning label in cars and pirated CRS with a false approvals mark.

The Chairman of the working group on CRS presented the draft CRS regulation as it stands after 18 meetings of the group: http://tinyurl.com/2a23q4t

He stressed the innovative character of the regulation and highlighted the new philosophy of the classification system (based on stature) as well as the I-Size concept (‘socket and plug’) which will make it much easier for parents to choose the correct seat. I-Size includes a top tether and support leg as a common interface between the car and CRS. The cooperation between the car and CRS industries on the universal support leg was acknowledged (a development since the 46th GRSP when the car industry was opposing the proposal). The Chair also highlighted that the switch from rearward to forward facing (currently 9kg, 6-9 months) ideally should be at 18 months but that a 15 months compromise was proposed in order for the CRS to fit in as many cars as possible.

The draft regulation was discussed paragraph by paragraph, which led to detailed editorial modifications. It is expected that a final discussion can take place in December 2010, allowing WP29 to adopt the regulation in June 2011, and for it to be implemented in January 2012.

As for the next item of importance to consumers, ANEC/CI and FIA presented the case of a pirated CRS with a false approvals mark. We have seen several of these products on the market, initially in South America but now also in Europe. This raises concern as it undermines credibility of the approvals system. Consumers are advised to buy approved products, and have to rely on what they see. Therefore we asked UN-ECE to police the mark more stringently. The statement was supported by CLEPA. The Chair urged delegates to consider the concerns further and take the matter to WP 29.

At the meeting of GRSP in December 2009, OICA (the International Organisation of Vehicle Manufacturers) proposed a redesign of the airbag warning label. This was of real concern to ANEC/CI. At the 47th session of GRSP in May 2010, ANEC/CI presented its objections in a statement with the FIA Foundation. Key elements were that the label does not mention the danger and what to do to avoid it. Moreover the text was replaced by a pictogram that apparently was not well understood by the public. ANEC/CI and FIA urged rejection of the OICA proposed label.

OICA is keen to replace the current label to facilitate the logistics of its members, whereas consumer groups say a replacement must be shown to be understood. OICA said it would contact ANEC/CI and FIA to discuss further.

ANEC attends meetings of the CEN/CENELEC Focus Group on Electric Vehicles Standardisation

ANEC Assistant Programme Manager Ayse Sumer attended as ad hoc representative the first meeting held on 18 May 2010 and the plenary meeting on 14 June 2010, both in Brussels. Prior to the meeting ANEC had expressed, to the CEN Technical Board, support for the creation of this Joint Working Group. More and more vehicle manufacturers have started to add electric vehicles to their ranges. If electric vehicles - able to contribute to the European target for reducing CO2 emissions - are to become mainstream, it is essential to provide infra-structure that achieves consumer confidence. This infrastructure must include equipment that allows the recharging of batteries in an efficient, user friendly and safe way.

The first meeting discussed administrative matters such as the WG’s Terms of Reference, rules of participation, appointment of WG Chairperson and Secretariat, European Commission and national initiatives, initial tasks and working methods for the Focus Group and included also a presentation on Japanese electric vehicle charging system with focus on increasing safety and ease of use.

Furthermore, a list of topics to deal with by task groups (terminology, interfaces, connectors/plug systems, modes of charging/electrical supply issues, payment infrastructures) was identified.

The second plenary agreed on the Chairperson, which will now need to be endorsed by the BT. The Commission representative confirmed that a signature event for the formal reception of the standardization mandate by the ESOs was proposed for 22 June 2010, with the presence of the Enterprise Commissioner Mr Tajani.

The Focus Group agreed that the work should indeed be progressed through “Project Teams” led by the “Project Leaders” for the topics defined in the first plenary. A telephone conference with the proposed Project Team leaders in order to plan the preparation of the first draft report proposal in good time for the September meeting was agreed for 1 July. The next plenary will take place in Brussels on 1 September 2010.

It was also agreed that it is important to ensure exchange of information between this FG and the Group on Smart Grids.

ANEC comments on UNECE Regulation 44: Requirements for child restraint systems (CRS)

We have commented on the only international regulation governing the construction of child restraints in Europe, UNECE Regulation (R44).

In our position paper, we explain the differences between R44.03 and R44.04, because we believe it is misleading to consumers to market CRS that meet R44.04 as ’safer seats’ even though the later version of the regulation offers no real safety related improvements.

Furthermore, we highlight the problem of mass group classification.
Consumers need clearer and less ambiguous information if CRS are to be used properly.

Additionally, we have stressed again the importance of keeping children rearward-facing at least until they are 24 to 30 months of age. Rearward-facing protection has been proven to be the best protection available for very young children. In Sweden, an impressive reduction in traffic fatalities among children has been achieved as children travel rearward-facing until they are at least 4 years old. Accident data supports that this should be the preferred protection strategy for children up to 4 years of age (please see our study published in March 2008 at http://tinyurl.com/2vhljfj). 

We further ask for an extension of the upper mass limit of Group III because more and more children weigh more than 36kg before they are 1,35 m tall, which makes it impossible to find a CRS on the market that they can use without breaking the law and the manufacturers’ instructions.
We also address carry cots - as they do not represent a safe way to transport children in cars - the importance of the visibility of the airbag warning labels and the disposal of CRS after accidents.

For more information please read our position paper:
http://tinyurl.com/36o44sn.

During the commenting phase, we were pleased to see the developments in UNECE GRSP on the elaboration of the new CRS regulation, which will be an improvement and reflects our concerns (please see our reports from the GRSP Informal WG on CRS meetings).

Traffic & Child Safety

ANEC attends CEN TC 333 ‘Cycles’ plenary meeting in Brussels 

On 11 June, Michela Vuerich attended the plenary meeting of CEN TC 333 ‘Cycles’ on behalf of ANEC. At the meeting, it was noted that the draft standard “Cycles - Bicycle trailers - Safety requirements and test methods” will soon be ready for Formal Vote. ANEC comments have been reflected in the draft which addresses 2-wheel trailers for children or load.

A WG on composite material used in bicycles was created (CEN TC 333 WG 8). Moreover, discussions on the possible revision of the European bicycle standards took place at the meeting, with CEN giving an update on the draft retroactive mandate from the European Commission on bicycle standards, to which ANEC contributed through the Consumer Safety Network.

People

Paola Testori-Coggi – new Director-General, DG SANCO

Paola Testori-Coggi was appointed Director-General of DG SANCO on 1 April. She was previously Deputy Director-General to Robert Madelin who is now Director-General of DG INFSO. Prior to joining the Health and Consumer Protection DG in 1999, Ms Testori-Coggi spent two and a half years as an adviser in the cabinet of Emma Bonino, the Commissioner for consumer health and food safety, where she helped manage the BSE and dioxin crises, and contributed to a new policy on consumer health and food safety following the Parliament’s recommendations on BSE. A biologist by training, Ms Testori-Coggi became a Commission official in 1983, dealing with Community legislation on industrial risk and the control of dangerous chemicals. Before joining the Commission, Ms Testori-Coggi was a scientist at the Institute for Water Research in Milan.

ANEC Design for All (DfA) WG

Lindsey Etchell has been appointed Chair of the Design for All WG. She works as a standardisation & testing advisor for RICAbility in the United Kingdom and has more than twenty years of experience of consumer issues in standardisation. The immediate past Chair of the WG, Jens Henriksson (Swedish Consumer Council), has been appointed Vice-Chair.

A big welcome to two new consumers!

ANEC welcomed two new consumers over the spring. Valentina, the daughter of ANEC Assistant, Natalia Giorgi, was born on 5 May. Giulia, the daughter of ANEC Assistant, David Bruno, was born on 7 June.



Our congratulations go to Natalia, David and their families.

Other Issues

DG SANCO – Workshop on Data Partnership

A workshop on Data Partnership was hosted by DG SANCO on 17 March. With other stakeholders, ANEC was invited to develop ideas, give comments and to alert the Commission to concerns about its Data Strategy. The main issue of the workshop was the need to improve the data strategy process and data quality.

Presentation of the RAPEX 2009 Annual Report

The Commission published the Annual RAPEX report for 2009 on 15 April 2010. According to the report, there was an increase of 7% in notifications compared with the previous year. This is seen by the Commission to be positive as it believes the trend shows a better detection of dangerous products. China remains the main source of dangerous products, accounting for 60% of all RAPEX notifications. Commissioner John Dalli, responsible for health & consumer policy, made a commitment to promote standardisation during missions to China and the USA later this year.

Upcoming events

Workshop on low-noise outdoor machinery – Brussels - 29 October 2010

In the context of the Belgian Presidency of the EU, the Belgian Ministry of Environment will host a workshop in collaboration with the European Commission dedicated to “Towards low-noise outdoor machinery”. The aim of the workshop is to discuss ways for developing the market for low-noise outdoor machinery. The workshop will take place in Brussels on 29 October 2010.

Environmental noise is an important policy area. Outdoor machinery, such as garden equipment, municipal equipment and construction machinery, is a major source of noise in the environment. The workshop will help start an information exchange between different policy areas and promote a dialogue among decision makers, manufacturers and consumers to enhance environmental awareness in relation to outdoor machinery.

3rd International Product Safety Week, Brussels, 1-3 December

The European Commission is to host events within the framework of the 3rd International Product Safety Week in Brussels from 1 to 3 December 2010. As in past years, this week comprises a series of conferences and meetings bringing together a broad range of (non-food) consumer product safety professionals from around the world, representing regulators, businesses, consumer organisations, standards makers, test laboratories and academics among others.

Events planned include a stakeholder conference on the review of the General Product Safety Directive on 1 December and an international risk assessment seminar under EMARS II on 3 December.

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)