92001E1144

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1144/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(11 April 2001)

Subject: Application of ISO standards in EU Member States

The International Standards Organisation was set up in 1947 to set international standards for technical, physical and geographical quantities and units, including their symbols and spellings. ISO standards are the result of close international cooperation and are recognised world-wide.

During the 1950s, the SI-system was created for scientific and technical units (metres, kilograms, seconds, amperes). In 1974 all UN member countries and many entities (mostly islands) were given an official symbol or code. ISO-3166 establishes three codes for each country or entity, a three-figure code, a code consisting of three capital letters and one with two capital letters. If the structure of the State changes, and provided this is recognised by the UN, the symbols may be changed.

Although ISO standards are internationally recognised, they are often wrongly used. Classic examples can be found in the symbols used on cars and lorries, in international postal services, on traffic signs and in the indications for currencies.

Does the Council support the full and correct use of all ISO standards by EU Member States? If not, why does the Council not consider it necessary for the EU Member States to use all ISO standards correctly? If so, what steps will the Council take to ensure that all ISO standards are used fully and correctly by EU Member States?

Reply

(27 September 2001)

In its Resolution on the Role of Standardisation in Europe adopted 28 October 1999 the Council recognised the increasing importance of International Standards. The Council also emphasised the exemplary nature of the Vienna Agreement between ISO and CEN (the European Committee for Standardisation).

Concerning the correct use of ISO Standards referred to in EU-legislation, it is the competence of the Commission to supervise that these are correctly implemented in the Member States' legislation.