Raising standards for consumers n 5 ANEC 2015 24 pages WEB High.pdfRaising standards for consumers ANEC at 21 Contents Message from the ANEC President ..... 3 Messages from our friends

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Raising standards for consumers

Raising standards for consumersANEC Annual Review 2015

Information Society - Innovation - Services - Sustainability - Traffic

Child Safety - Design for All - Domestic Appliances - Ecodesign

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Raising standards for consumers ANEC at 21ContentsMessage from the ANEC President ............................. 3

Messages from our friends and partners ..................... 5

Key Events of 2015 .................................................11ANEC governance bodies ............................................... 11ANEC Annual Action Plans .............................................. 11Review of the European Standardisation System .............. 11TTIP and standards ...................................................... 12CENELEC ends work on use of appliances by vulnerable consumers ............................................... 12Other stories ............................................................... 12

Technical Studies 2015 ............................................13‘European cross-border online shopping - Learning from consumer experiences’ ........................... 13‘Drafting standards in a hazard-based format’ .................. 13

Child Safety ...........................................................14New standards for swimming pools ................................. 14Laundry detergent capsules ........................................... 14Standard for moveable goals .......................................... 14ANEC endorses Toy Safety Tips ...................................... 14

Design for All .........................................................15European Accessibility Act ............................................. 15Design for All (M/473) ................................................... 15Other stories ............................................................... 15

Domestic Appliances ...............................................16Proposal for Gas Appliances Regulation adopted ............... 16Barbecues ................................................................... 16

Information Society ................................................17ANEC suppresses flame retardants ................................. 17Mobile phones - reflecting real consumer use ................... 17ANEC guides on privacy standardisation .......................... 17Other stories ............................................................... 17

Innovation .............................................................18Smart deployment of smart meters ................................ 18

MarketWatch .........................................................18MarketWatch ................................................................ 18

Services ................................................................19Safety of accommodation services .................................. 19ANEC views on cross-border parcel delivery ..................... 19Other stories ............................................................... 19

Sustainability .........................................................20Circular economy package rewind ................................... 20

Ecodesign ..............................................................20Renewed narrative for Ecodesign .................................... 20Other stories ............................................................... 20

Chemicals in consumer products ..............................21Roundtable on hazardous chemicals ................................ 21Toys - lower chemicals limits .......................................... 21Other stories ............................................................... 21

Traffic ...................................................................22Child safety ................................................................. 22Bicycles - lighting and reflective devices .......................... 22Other stories ............................................................... 22

Members of the ANEC General Assembly ...................23

ANEC at 21

Message from the ANEC President

Since its creation in 1995, ANEC has grown to become one of the most ef-fective and influential consumer or-ganisations in the world. But we do not campaign. We leave that to others. Our principal role is to complement the contributions of business in order to ensure standards and related legisla-tion protect European consumers and their welfare. There is always room for improvement, but we have achieved much in many sectors.

ANEC has been notably successful in improving product safety. Our consum-er experts have ensured that products are safe and fit for purpose, including toys, childcare articles, and domestic appliances. We have introduced de-sign-for-all principles into standards and legislation to overcome inequity and make sure older people and those with disabilities can use consumer products and services safely. We have been active in improving traffic safety, from improved child-restraint systems, to the safety of bicycles. We have also promoted the sustainable use of prod-

ucts and reduced environmental im-pacts. We have introduced foreseeable use into legislation on ICT products that include mobile phones.

Standards work on services was in its infancy in 1995. Businesses in the ser-vice sector do not have the same tra-dition as those that supply products, where standards have been a vital tool to deliver safety and performance over many years. Service quality has often been seen as providing competi-tive advantage to companies. However, standards, backed by legislation, can ensure services are safe and provide a level-playing field upon which busi-nesses can compete fairly in the mar-ket place. This should be an important growth area for European standardisa-tion and ANEC must pursue a proactive role in working with service sectors.

In some fields of standardisation activi-ty, especially emerging fields, the com-plexity and levels of technical expertise needed by consumer experts to play an effective part in the standardisation

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process has significantly increased. This is particularly challenging for ANEC but I believe has echoes across the whole standardisation landscape.

ANEC has a capable, experienced and committed staff, some of whom have been with the association from the very beginning. Their expertise is not simply in organising our volunteer con-sumer representation, but providing the essential political and technical contributions to the very many activ-ities undertaken. The pace of develop-ment of standards and legislation has increased markedly over 21 years, and without these direct undertakings by staff, the work of our volunteers could not be as effective.

Our supreme body is the General As-sembly. Formally, it is open to one indi-vidual from each EU and EFTA country, and candidate accession countries to the EU, representing all the consumer organisations in that country. Present-ly, we have 32 members out of a pos-sible 33, the highest number of partici-

pating countries in our history. This link to the consumer movement in so many countries reinforces the credibility of ANEC in setting and pursuing its stra-tegic objectives, and areas of priority.

Our volunteer experts are recruited from across the EU and EFTA. It is their collective voice that allows ANEC to speak with authority in standards com-mittees and elsewhere, and to sup-port the national delegation principle by providing the consumer view where one might not otherwise exist. They bring a wide range of experience and expertise to ANEC and to standards development. I thank them all for the detailed and demanding work they do, and for the many achievements ANEC can claim. We always need more ex-perts, particularly in emerging sectors of activity. I know pressure to deliver standards more rapidly is challenging for volunteers who have relatively lit-tle time and receive only expenses for their work, and I believe it to be a fu-ture challenge for ANEC.

ANEC and its work are dependent on European public funding. This has been the case since 1995. The time of our volunteers has always been taken as contribution in kind and was worth some 400.000€ in 2014, adding almost 30% to the total value of our activities. Naturally, the global financial crisis of the past decade, and its impact on public resources, caused uncertainty and created some anxiety for ANEC. Nevertheless, we have reached a calm-er sea. I am delighted that, during my term as President, we have achieved a formal legislative base for our activ-ities through Regulation 1025/2012, and have Partnership Agreements in place with the EU and EFTA that should provide stability until 2020. I also thank the European Commis-sion for finding a solution to cash flow problems that troubled ANEC for many years. This allows us to concentrate more fully on our primary objectives. However, we cannot be complacent and we are looking more into the future to ensure effective consumer participa-tion in standardisation continues.

As we move further into our third dec-ade, we must take stock and consider how ANEC can become even more effi-cient and effective. The Joint Initiative on Standardisation, now being agreed between the Commission and stand-ardisation stakeholders, provides an opportunity to improve consumer rep-resentation and activities further. I also believe, by strengthening our alliances with BEUC, with Consumers Interna-tional and with ICRT, we can become more proactive in identifying emerg-ing issues that could be addressed by standards, especially where the stand-ards are needed to underpin regulation.

ANEC has come of age. As a mature or-ganisation, with care and commitment, it will continue to provide a unique voice for European consumers.

ARNOLD PINDARPresident

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Messages from our friends and partners

Catherine STIHLER

MEP & Vice-Chair of the IMCO Committee of the European Parliament

Standards play a key role in the Sin-gle Market. They are fundamental en-ablers which facilitate trade and bring benefits by improving safety, enhanc-ing performance and reducing costs. ANEC’s continued contribution to the standards debate is vital as it en-sures consumer interests are taken on board. We are now facing connectivity on a scale unrecognisable to previous generations. Many more devices will be connected to each other – ranging from cars and transportation systems, to e-health systems and smart cities. Maybe in a couple of decades, we’ll all end up living in smart countries! Set-ting the right standards will ensure this and much more becomes our reality.

Dag Wernø HOLTER

Deputy Secretary General, EFTA

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) appreciates the long-standing and successful partnership with ANEC.

Standards play a crucial role in the Sin-gle Market and facilitate cross-border trade. However, consumer interests are not always adequately represent-ed. This is why EFTA supports ANEC’s efforts to promote and improve the in-clusiveness of consumer interests in European Standardisation activities. EFTA signed a new Framework Partner-ship Agreement with ANEC in Novem-ber 2015 and looks forward to contin-uing the good cooperation. Happy 21st anniversary ANEC!

Catherine VAN REETH

Director-General, Toy Industries, Europe (TIE)

As reputable toy manufacturers, TIE prioritises children’s safety - effec-tive standards help to make sure that our toys are safe for children to play with. As the European Consumer Voice in Standardisation, ANEC plays a cen-tral role in the development of safety standards for toys. We value the work we have done together in raising con-sumer awareness of the importance of toy safety, and the open and frank dis-cussions on the development of safety standards that we have had over the years. We look forward to continuing this mutual dialogue and cooperation into the future.

Rodolfo CATTANI

Executive Committee of the European Disability Forum (EDF)

EDF is grateful for the longstanding cooperation it has with ANEC, working together to ensure the interests of con-sumers in Europe are protected through effective standards. We have worked to-gether on standards promoting acces-sibility, under M/376 and M/473, which will have a positive impact on Europe’s 80 million persons with disabilities. We have worked together to gain political achievements on behalf of persons with disabilities, and we are working togeth-er on the adoption of the European Ac-cessibility Act. Together, ANEC and EDF contribute to the safety and wellbeing of all citizens in an inclusive and rights-based European society. EDF congratu-lates ANEC on its 21st anniversary!

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Monique GOYENS

Director-General, BEUC - The European Consumer Organisation

ANEC is a crucial stakeholder in the reg-ulatory consumer environment. It is a strong and critical watchdog to ensure that technical standards are ambitious in protecting consumer safety. It plays a key role in advocating integration of specific needs of consumers with vul-nerabilities. In spite of its too limited resources with regard to its mission, ANEC manages - thanks to committed and highly experienced staff - to keep consumer safety needs and expecta-tions high on the political agenda. On behalf of BEUC, I wish ANEC another 21+ years of further development and success!

Jérôme P. CHAUVIN

Deputy Director-General, BUSINESSEUROPE

BUSINESSEUROPE congratulates ANEC on representing consumers in the standardisation development process over the past 21 years. Effective con-sumer representation has a role to play in this crucial area, especially with re-gard to standards used by business to achieve public policy objectives aimed at furthering consumer interests. We should not do this without dialogue – therefore, we look forward to strength-ening our relationship in this area and we welcome in particular the Commis-sion’s recent Joint Initiative on Stand-ardisation.

Elena SANTIAGO

Director-General, CEN-CENELEC

At CEN and CENELEC, we greatly ap-preciate the outstanding contributions made by our partner ANEC to the Euro-pean Standardisation System, guaran-teeing that the concerns and priorities of consumers are taken into account during the drafting and revision of standards at European level. ANEC plays a vital role in applying innovation in areas such as accessibility, smart appliances, and services. ANEC repre-sentatives participate in over 70 Tech-nical Committees, Coordination Groups and Sector Fora within CEN and CENE-LEC. So we congratulate ANEC for all you have achieved so far and we look forward to continuing our collaboration in the future!

Luis Jorge ROMERO

Director-General, ETSI

ETSI is delighted to congratulate ANEC on achieving its 21st anniversary, and to have your membership of ETSI since 1996 in representing the interests of European consumers in our activities. ANEC’s role has been enhanced by its classification as an Annex III organisa-tion under Regulation 1025/2012 and we look forward to working further with you to ensure consumer welfare is re-flected in standards making. ETSI ap-preciates the activities of ANEC in our work – most specifically in areas such as accessibility, speech quality and, more recently, cybersecurity. Your part in representing consumer interests in ICT standardisation is recognised and we look forward to enhancing our col-laboration with you in areas of impor-tance to us all.

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Adrian HARRIS

Director-General, ORGALIME, the European Engineering Industries Association

You might think that ANEC, which rep-resents consumers in standardisation, and Orgalime, which represents manu-facturers of many goods used by con-sumers, would find it difficult to see eye to eye; but over the years we have often managed to find common points on issues, such as on market surveil-lance where reputable companies want to make sure that consumers trust and are happy with their products. Our dis-cussions on this and other issues have strengthened our organisations’ under-standings of each other and, through this, we have learned to work in con-fidence even when we differ. We look forward to continuing our constructive relationship.

Anne-Sophie PARENT

Secretary-General, AGE Platform

For several years now, AGE Platform Europe has been working with ANEC, contributing the perspective of old-er consumers on a variety of issues of direct concern for them. The role of ANEC in representing the voice of European consumers in standard-isation is crucial for consumers of all ages. Through our work with ANEC on accessibility (design-for-all concept), digital services, health and long-term care services, etc, we hope to achieve a more age-friendly EU in the near fu-ture, where everyone is adequately protected and empowered to partici-pate fully in society, regardless of age or country of residence.

John HIGGINS

Director-General, DIGITALEUROPE

Without any doubt, ANEC is a valued and competent stakeholder in Europe-an standardisation, and an important contributor to the process of Europe-an harmonisation, modernisation and growth. By effectively and construc-tively representing consumer interests and by contributing to key standardisa-tion and policy domains - such as in the field of safety - ANEC helps ensure that the European Standardisation System remains an open, inclusive and trans-parent environment, which benefits citizens, society and economy alike. DIGITALEUROPE is pleased to work to-gether with such a professional and ap-proachable organization. We are grate-ful for the good work done and wish ANEC a future full of success.

Robert MADELIN

Senior Adviser for Innovation in the European Political Strategy CentreFormer Director-General, DG CNECT Former Director-General, DG SANCO, European Commission

I am a fan of ANEC, which delivers great value on a very modest budget. That was true when I was most active with them 5-10 years back and has been true since. The digital standards policy just adopted by the Juncker Commis-sion reiterates the need for strong and informed stakeholder voices in stand-ards making. I am sure that ANEC can rise to this challenging opportunity.

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Ratna DEVI NADARAJAN

Chair of the ISO Consumer Policy Committee (ISO/COPOLCO)CEO, Malaysian Association of Standards Users

A Very Happy 21st Anniversary, ANEC! ANEC’s contribution to ISO/COPOL-CO is always important as not many regional consumer representatives in standardisation are as effective and as efficient as ANEC. ANEC’s position papers have been key references for many ISO COPOLCO members. These papers provide a preliminary thought into similar issues in members’ respec-tive countries or regions. One such paper was the 2007 paper on servic-es which I found useful for my work in Malaysia. I hope ANEC continues its important work and inspires consum-er representation in standardisation in other regions.

Paolo FALCIONI

Director-General, CECED, the European Committee of Domestic Equipment Manufacturers

We share a common goal with ANEC: consumer well-being. Ensuring robust, safe, and accessible appliances for all is our core business. Standards play a key role here. ANEC’s contribution in this field is of fundamental importance to us. Its feedback and expertise helps improve the quality, the safety and the usability of appliances. I see many op-portunities, starting with the connect-ed home in the frame of Internet of Things, to continue this working rela-tionship. I am sure we will be able to improve the good level of cooperation between our two associations.

Laura DEGALLAIX

Director, ECOS

ECOS has worked alongside ANEC for many years, and applauds the remark-able work the organisation has done. Having worked for ANEC before join-ing ECOS, I know how difficult it is to defend the views of European con-sumers with limited resources in the market-driven and industry dominated standards development process. Just like ECOS, ANEC promotes and defends interests that would otherwise be ab-sent. The work of ANEC enhances the quality of standards and ensures they reflect the needs of all stakeholders. Our close and long cooperation is in-valuable in raising the quality of stand-ards, promoting a holistic approach and underpinning the legitimacy of the European standardisation system.

Malcolm HARBOUR

Former MEP, ex-Chair of the IMCO Committee of the European Parliament

During 15 years in the European Par-liament, focusing particularly on the single market, I had the pleasure of working closely with ANEC. I was able to observe their skill and attention to detail in pursuing consumer concerns in complex technical proposals and advocating solutions. They have also played an important role in raising global product safety standards. It is a tribute to their pioneering work that consumer engagement has been rein-forced in the latest EU regulations. AN-EC’s role is even more important in to-day’s connected world. On to the next milestone!

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Paul HODSON

Head of Unit, DG Energy, European Commission

Standards are often invisible, at least to the public. This is unfor-tunate because they are work-horses of the internal market, and essential in supporting EU legislation on product safety, en-ergy efficiency and environmen-tal protection. It is vital for the voice of stakeholders, beyond industry, to be heard in stand-ardisation. For 21 years, ANEC has been that voice for consum-ers. DG Energy will continue to be very supportive of ANEC’s role in ensuring consumer inter-ests are reflected in standards. This is essential if standards are to deliver not only competitive-ness and innovation, but also consumer benefit. I wish ANEC every success with this impor-tant mission in the future.

Phil BUCKLE

General Secretary, EuroSafe

EuroSafe congratulates ANEC on reaching its 21st anniver-sary and the substantial con-tribution it has made over the past two decades to making European consumers safer. Eu-roSafe and its members have been delighted to have worked closely with ANEC on numer-ous projects, and particularly in the field of child safety and creating safer standards for toys, child care products and playground equipment. ANEC also vigorously supported Eu-ropean injury data collection efforts and the EU Injury Data-base coordinated by EuroSafe.

Sadie HOMER

Senior Policy Advisor, Consumers International

21 years ago, I attended the first training event for consumer experts held by ANEC. Twenty of us from around Europe met for the first time to work together to bring the consumer voice di-rectly to European Standards. ANEC has continued to fulfil this role, pro-actively coordinating the consumer voice, making it a strong and effective one, bring-ing credibility and robustness to European standards. Today, at Consumers International, we collaborate with ANEC to provide sorely needed consumer stake-holder advocacy in the interna-tional standards arena to make sure products, services and, particularly, vehicles are both safe and meet consumer needs.

Glen DALE

General Director, Euralarm

Euralarm appreciates the con-tinued support from ANEC in their representation of the consumer in Fire Safety and Security topics. Current joint initiatives include ensuring that Tourist Accommodation Fire Safety issues are adequately represented to the European Commission and MEPs. The need for pan-European colla-tion of fire statistics and con-sidered legislation, supported by relevant industry stand-ards to ensure a harmonised minimum level of Fire safety across Europe, is paramount to the interest and safety of the European citizen. We look forward to strengthening even further our work with ANEC on these joint initiatives.

Antonio AVENOSO

Executive Director, the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC)

We congratulate ANEC on its 21st birthday. The organisa-tion has played a crucial role in improving transport safety with its important, but often unheralded, work on technical standards for child restraints, bicycles and in numerous oth-er areas. We wish you contin-ued success and are looking forward to further cooperation over the coming years.

1995 to 1998

1998 to 2001

2001 to date

ANEC Office Bearers

ANEC Presidents

Koos ANDERSON Feb 1995 to Nov 1996

Benedicte FEDERSPIELNov 1996 to Jun 2007

Lothar MAIER Jun 2007 to Jun 2011

Arnold PINDAR Jun 2011 to date

ANEC Vice-Presidents

Peter SIEBER Feb 1995 to May 2001

Franz FIALA May 2001 to Jun 2007

Conchy MARTÍN REY Jun 2007 to Jun 2009

Franz FIALA Jun 2009 to Jun 2011

Conchy MARTÍN REY Jun 2011 to Jun 2013

Dermott JEWELL Jun 2013 to date

ANEC Treasurers

Lisbet HJORT Feb 1995 to Nov 1996

John COLGAN Nov 1996 to May 1998

Malcolm BASSETT May 1998 to May 2005

Lothar MAIER May 2005 to Jun 2007

Benedicte FEDERSPIELJun 2007 to date

ANEC Secretaries-General

Bruce FARQUHAR Feb 1995 to Oct 2000

Gottlobe FABISCH Oct 2000 to Jan 2007

Stephen RUSSELL Jan 2007 to date

For these and many more testimonials, see www.anec.eu

ANEC thanks its friends & partners for the use of photos, especially those taken at ISO and ORGALIME events.

www.anec.eu

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Key Events of 2015

ANEC governance bodies

The ANEC General Assembly (ANEC/GA) meeting, held in Brussels on 18-19 June, ratified the membership of the Gener-al Assembly for the 2015-2019 term. Of the 33 countries eligi-ble for membership, a record 32 are now represented.

The meeting re-elected Arnold Pindar (UK) as ANEC Presi-dent for a further term of two years (2015-2017), Dermott Jewell (Ireland) as Vice-Pres-ident and Benedicte Federspiel (Denmark) as Treasurer.

The meeting also elected the members of the ANEC Steer-ing Committee (ANEC/SC), the board of the association, for the 2015-2017 term. In Octo-ber 2015, a new ANEC Guide was issued to support the ANEC/GA members in their roles, complemented by a se-ries of webinars hosted by the ANEC Secretariat.

ANEC Annual Action Plans

In June 2013, the General As-sembly adopted an ANEC Strat-egy 2014 to 2020, comprising a Vision and Mission supported by ten Strategic Objectives. The actions intended to imple-ment the Strategic Objectives are set out in Annual Action Plans, drafted by the ANEC/SC and approved by the ANEC/GA. The final report on the ANEC Annual Action Plan 2014 was endorsed by the ANEC/GA in January 2015. Although most of its actions were completed, some were delayed by factors outside the control of ANEC (e.g. the impasse in Council on the Product Safety Package).

In January 2015, the ANEC/GA also adopted the Annual Action Plan for the next 12 months, with clear links to the detailed ANEC Work Programme 2015.

LINKS:

Progress Report on ANEC Annual Action Plan 2014, http://tinyurl.com/pzt3pll

ANEC Work Programme 2015 (public version), http://tinyurl.com/z6ayou4

ANEC Annual Action Plan 2015, http://tinyurl.com/larla6f

In early 2014, the European Commission (EC) contracted EY to carry out an independ-ent review of the European Standardisation System (ESS), an action in its Communication of June 20111. The review as-sessed the ability of the ESS to adapt to a quickly-evolving en-vironment and its contribution to Europe’s strategic internal & external objectives, espe-cially in the fields of industrial policy, innovation & techno-logical development. It also examined the adequacy of the ESS with regard to inclusive-ness and representativeness, and in meeting market needs. ANEC contributed to the initi-ative throughout 2014, includ-ing supporting the need for in-creased inclusiveness through publication of a Position Paper.

Following publication of the EY study, and a “Friends of Standardisation” roundtable hosted by EC on 1 July 2015, ANEC co-signed a letter on

1 COM(2011)311 final

Review of the European Standardisation System

the participation of societal stakeholders to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI, the three Europe-an Standardisation Organisa-tions. The letter, ‘An effective contribution of societal stake-holders to ensure good quality standards’ - A joint propos-al from ANEC, ECOS & ETUC’ stressed that Regulation (EU) 1025/2012 on European stand-ardisation confirms the vital role these organisations play in representation of consumer, environmental and workers’ interests in the ESS.

In October 2015, the EC pub-lished a Communication, ‘Up-grading the Single Market’. In the Communication, the EC expresses its wish to modern-ise the ESS and to establish a ‘Joint Initiative on Stand-ardisation’ with the European standardisation community. In November, ANEC issued a position paper on the Commu-nication, focusing on the con-sumer-relevant aspects linked

to standardisation. ANEC be-lieves it essential for the Joint Initiative to give political im-petus to the strengthened in-clusiveness of the ESS in order to ensure European standards offer the highest levels of con-sumer protection and welfare practicable. The political as-pects of the Joint Initiative should be complete by June 2016, with the supporting ac-tions agreed by October. ANEC trusts a Steering Group will monitor the implementation of the actions for the rest of the present term of the Juncker Commission.

LINKS:

Independent Review of the European Standardisation System (March 2015), http://tinyurl.com/gl2tp8o

ANEC comments on the EY Report of the Independent Review of the European Standardisation System (June 2015), http://tinyurl.com/hhvarnx

EC Communication, ‘Upgrading the Single Market (October 2015), http://tinyurl.com/jnzwoct

ANEC Position Paper on the Single Market Strategy (December 2015), http://tinyurl.com/zju2nbm

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TTIP and standards

On 31 March, the Transatlan-tic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) hosted a workshop, ‘TTIP myths debunked – What’s re-ally in it for consumers?’, sup-ported by BEUC, the main-stream European Consumer Organisation. Its aim was to look at some common misper-ceptions and claims made in support of the proposed Trans-atlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP). ANEC pre-sented its views and stressed that standards should be seen not only as Technical Barri-ers to Trade but as elements of consumer protection when linked to legislation. ANEC had already presented this view at a DG TRADE stakeholder en-gagement event on 4 February, during the eighth round of TTIP negotiations.

In June 2015, ANEC contribut-ed to a CEN-CENELEC position paper on the risks of mutual recognition.

We spoke at a European Parlia-ment event, ‘TTIP and beyond - trade in global and local poli-tics’, hosted by the Greens-Eu-ropean Free Alliance on 1 July. On TTIP and standards, we expressed concern about the risks to consumer protection that could arise from a mu-tual recognition of European standards and “standards de-veloped in the USA”.

LINKS:

ANEC presentation at the TTIP stakeholder presentations event (February 2015) http://tinyurl.com/ppnd9d2

CEN-CENELEC paper, ‘The risks of mutual recognition of voluntary industry standards within the context of a future EU-US trade agreement (TTIP)’, http://tinyurl.com/j34rs93

CENELEC ends work on use of appliances by vulnerable consumers

On 30 November & 1 Decem-ber, CENELEC TC 61 WG4 held its last meeting to deal with work under Mandate M/392 and the revision of the EN 60335 series for electrical household appliances in order to address use by vulnerable consumers.

The previous version of the EN 60335 standards contained an exclusion or limitation clause that these standards do not

“..., in general, take into ac-count the use of appliances by young children or infirm per-sons without supervision”.

In 2003, ANEC argued the clause was discriminatory, leading to creation of CENELEC TC 61 WG 4 to revise the standards. Due to the complexity of European legislation governing domestic electrical appliances, and need to ensure safety and acces-

sibility, the revision process proved complex and time con-suming. ANEC provided sup-port in order to determine the technical solutions needed to facilitate the revisions.

The task of WG4 has now come to an end. The culmination of the work represents a huge step forward for the safety of European consumers, espe-cially children, older people & those with disabilities.

LINKS:

Final report of the ANEC/SC technical study ,’The benefits of consumer participation in standardisation to all stakeholders’, http://tinyurl.com/l4chr8l

ANEC leaflet: ANEC in 60 seconds, http://tinyurl.com/pzhjfyz

ANEC leaflet: Standards in 60 seconds, http://tinyurl.com/j8rf8kc

ANEC position paper on draft AUWP (May 2015), http://tinyurl.com/qb8cabg

Other stories

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Technical Studies 2015

‘European cross-border online shopping - Learning from consumer experiences’

The purpose of this study was to collect data on examples of consumer complaints in the consumer online services area, with special attention paid to cross border data. The results revealed that, despite EC poli-cies to encourage e-commerce cross-border, consumers still face notable barriers to reap-ing the benefits of a digital sin-gle market.

Two-thirds of shoppers sur-veyed had bought cross-bor-der, with 15% finding a prob-lem. Of these, 27% reported late deliveries while 22% said their orders never arrived. Respondents also reported problems when trying to place orders, such as unfair price differences, unclear or mis-leading information, and re-fusals to sell or deliver to the shopper’s address.

An overview of the findings can be found in the ANEC leaf-let, ‘Key Facts on Cross-border online shopping within the EU’.

LINKS:

ANEC study, ‘European cross-border online shopping - Learning from consumer experiences’, http://tinyurl.com/gvf28lw

ANEC leaflet, ‘Key Facts on European cross-border complaints’ (December 2015), http://tinyurl.com/pcl9xek

ANEC press release, ‘Barriers to clicking cross-border’ (December 2015), http://tinyurl.com/jxvym6e

‘Drafting standards in a hazard-based format’

The purpose of this study was to develop the hazard-based approach to drafting standards for child use and child care ar-ticles. The study concludes im-provements are possible. Safe-ty requirements, incorporated in the standardisation requests directed to CEN and CENELEC, are a key element in the draft-ing of standards under the Gen-eral Product Safety Directive (GPSD). They need to follow a hazard-based approach that completely and systematical-ly identifies, assesses and ad-dresses both hazards and risks.

One conclusion of the study is that the levels of safety, defined in the safety requirements, should be relevant to the sig-nificance of the hazards and risks, especially when the risk of harm is high. Another is that the levels of safety should be defined by the GPSD commit-tee, not left to CEN-CENELEC, as the role of the standardiser is to find ways of addressing safety requirements, not to de-cide on their significance.

LINKS:

ANEC study, ‘The development of safety requirements and hazard-based stand-ards for child use and care articles’, http://tinyurl.com/j3rwgl7

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Child Safety

New standards for swimming pools

ANEC welcomed the adoption of six European standards for domestic swimming pools in 2015. Three standards in the EN 16582 series deal with requirements for in-ground pools and above-ground pools; three standards in the EN 16713 series address re-quirements & test methods for filtration systems; circulation systems & treatment of water systems. Drowning is a leading cause of injury death among

children in Europe. In order to prevent drownings at home and to keep children safe by water, ANEC participated in the drafting of all six stand-ards and called for their adop-tion when they were circulated for the Formal Vote of nation-al standards bodies. Further standards work on domestic swimming pools continues in CEN/TC 402, with the drafting of standards for mini-pools, spas and hot tubs. ANEC also participates in this work.

Laundry detergent capsules

ANEC supported the OECD–DG JUST awareness raising campaign on laundry deter-gent capsules which took place in March. These products can be attractive to children and can pose a serious danger if not handled and stored safe-ly. ANEC asked its members to spread the message of the campaign. ANEC also spread the word through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and through the ANEC Newslet-ter. The posting on the ANEC Facebook page alone was seen by more than 50.000 people. ANEC also continued to follow ASTM work on the same sub-ject through teleconference meetings, with a view to its possible proposal to CEN.

LINKS:

Global awareness-raising campaign on laundry detergent capsules/packets #Laundrysafe, http://tinyurl.com/z7q5vu8

Standard for moveable goals

Several years ago, ANEC ex-pressed concern about the fa-talities and serious injuries that can arise when children are ac-cidently hit by moveable goal-posts. As a result, CEN start-ed work on EN 16664 “Playing field equipment — Lightweight goals — Functional, safety re-quirements and test methods”. The standard was adopted in April 2015. EN 16664 is one of two standards: CEN TC 136 WG22 is also developing EN 16579 ‘Playing field equipment — Portable and fixed goals — Functional, safety require-ments and test methods’.

ANEC endorses Toy Safety Tips

Children learn through play, and toys make an essential contribution to their develop-ment. In December, with the festive season approaching, ANEC was pleased to endorse a short video prepared by Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) which includes 12 simple tips to help children play safely with toys. The video is avail-able in English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian & Spanish language versions. A leaflet was issued to accompa-ny the video. ANEC cascaded the toy safety tips to its net-work and promoted the video & leaflet on its social media sites. Several members of-fered to translate the tips into their own languages.

LINKS:

Safety First - Top Tips for Toys (video), http://tinyurl.com/gm8drng

Safety First - Top Tips for Toys (leaflet), http://tinyurl.com/zm4y27n

15


Design for All 1

1 The title of the ANEC Design for All WG has been changed to Accessibility WG in 2016.

European Accessibility Act

On 2 December, the EC pub-lished its long-awaited propos-al for a European Accessibility Act. The directive would set accessibility requirements for certain key products & ser-vices to help people with dis-abilities participate fully in so-ciety. In a press release, we welcomed the proposed legis-lation. For many years, ANEC has been calling for regulatory action and use of standards in order to increase access to products and services for con-sumers of all ages and abili-ties. Moreover, we proposed that the legislation creates a market surveillance system of public authorities, harmo-nised at European level or at least well-coordinated and re-sourced. We are pleased the Commission reflects these suggestions in its proposal.

To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, we published ANEC guidance on the use of ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014 & CEN-CENELEC Guide 6:2014 ‘Guide for addressing acces-sibility in standards’. This material provides tips and di-rections on taking accessibil-ity into account when writing standards.

LINKS:

European Accessibility Act proposal (December 2015), http://tinyurl.com/hb64w2l

ANEC press release, ‘European Accessibility Act: Standards to make products and services accessible for European consumers’ (December 2015), http://tinyurl.com/j7sna5y

ANEC contribution to EC public consultation on a European Accessibility Act (February 2012), http://tinyurl.com/75ho8zj

ANEC guidance on use of ISO/IEC Guide 71:2014 & CEN-CENELEC Guide 6:2014 ‘Guide for addressing accessibility in standards’, http://tinyurl.com/jpydmsh

Design for All (M/473)

CEN and CENELEC accept-ed standardisation mandate M/473 with the aim of ensuring that accessibility is addressed in all relevant standardisation initiatives. ANEC supported the mandate and aids its ex-ecution, especially drafting of the standard, ‘Accessibility following a Design for All ap-proach in products, goods and services – Extending the range of users’. Sadly, the CENELEC community has not demon-strated much enthusiasm for the work.

Other stories

LINKS:

ANEC comments on M/473 ‘Design for All deliverable D.1.2: Analysis of main areas of standardization and prioritization of work in standardization in relation to the needs of people with disabilities and older persons’ (May 2015), http://tinyurl.com/gmjatgd

Touch screens in lifts

ANEC is working on revision of EN 81-70 “Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts —Part 70: Accessibility to lifts for persons including persons with disability”. The revision is being carried out by CEN TC 10 WG 7 ‘Accessibili-ty to lifts for persons including persons with disability’, set up following an ANEC request. To-gether with the European Blind Union, the European Disability Forum and other national dis-ability associations, ANEC was able to change the provisions on the use of touch screens which prove a problem for blind, partially sighted and el-derly people.

LINKS TO OTHER STORIES:

ANEC comments on BSI and DIN proposal to transpose EN 301549 ‘Accessibility requirements suitable for public procurement of ICT products and services in Europe’ to ISO (February 2015), http://tinyurl.com/q85ozhc

16


Domestic Appliances

Proposal for Gas Appliances Regulation adopted

In January 2016, the European Parliament adopted the propos-al for a regulation on gas appli-ances. ANEC is pleased some amendments were adopted on the prevention of carbon mon-oxide (CO) poisoning.

Nevertheless, no emission limit values were set for combustion gas parameters that could im-prove indoor air quality. When combustion products are emit-ted in living spaces, the exhaust

gas parameters affect not only performance of the appliance, but also the quality of the air, and thus pose a risk to health (e.g. CO poisoning is the cause of several deaths each year and numerous illnesses). It is not enough for the Regulation to incorporate a vague essen-tial requirement for the appli-ance to be “safe”. ANEC insists indoor air quality must be ad-dressed in order to avoid both fatal and non-fatal accidents.

In order to reduce risk of CO poisoning, a requirement was also adopted for manufactur-ers to state in the instruc-tions for use that it would be advisable for installation or maintenance work to be done by professionals. This require-ment in line with our position. On the other hand, there is no specific reference to the peri-odic servicing of appliances. This is a crucial aspect in or-der to safeguard health and

safety. An appliance, even if manufactured to the most rig-orous standards, may become unsafe and/or inefficient in operation due to poor, faulty or negligent installation and maintenance.

The Council of the European Union adopted the text in Feb-ruary 2016. The new Regula-tion is expected to enter into force in 2018.

LINKS:

ANEC position paper on the EC proposal for a Regulation on appliances burning gaseous fuels (November 2014), http://tinyurl.com/kreb8bj

Barbecues

In 2015, DG JUST proposed to establish safety requirements for barbecues, solid fuels & firelighters (among other prod-ucts). ANEC nominated an ex-pert to aid the EC in the draft-ing work and, at the beginning of 2016, conveyed its support for adoption of the require-ments. The concern relates to the dangers from the indoor use of barbecues: in the past years, several campers died from carbon monoxide poison-ing after using barbecues to keep their tents warm.

ANEC also participates in CEN TC 281 WG1 which is develop-ing an amendment to EN 1860-1:2013 ‘Appliances, solid fuels & firelighters for barbecuing - Part 1: Barbecues burning solid fuels - Requirements & test methods’ to address the indoor use of barbecues.

17


Barbecues

Information Society 1

1 The title of the ANEC Information Society WG has been changed to Digital Society WG in 2016.

ANEC suppresses flame retardants

In March 2015, parallel votes were held in IEC and CENE-LEC on the transposition of the Technical Specification, IEC TS 62441 ‘Safeguards against ac-cidentally-caused candle flame ignition’, into a standard. ANEC was pleased to see the propos-al rejected as the text includ-ed a provision on the use of flame-retarding chemicals. We believe protection against ex-ternal ignition must be reached without flame-retardants which can be hazardous to people or the environment. We argue that resistance against external igni-tion can be achieved by design (e.g. sandwich construction) or use of materials (e.g. ceramics).

Despite rejection of the TS as a standard, IEC 60065-A1Ed8 ‘Audio, video & similar electron-ic apparatus – Safety require-ments’, and IEC 62368-1-A1/Ed2 ‘Audio, video, information

& communication technology equipment - Part 1: Safety re-quirements’, included the can-dle flame test when submitted to parallel voting later in 2015. ANEC pressed for the rejection of both standards in IEC and CENELEC and welcomed the negative voting results. We trust these latest rejections settle the discussion on the candle flame test for TV sets once and for all.

Mobile phones - reflecting real consumer use

EN 50566:2013 ‘Requirements to demonstrate compliance of radio frequency fields from handheld and body-mounted wireless communication devic-es used by the general pub-lic (30MHz - 6GHz)’ received a Formal Objection from France. Measurements showed SAR lev-els measured in contact with the rear surface of a mobile phone often exceeded the threshold of 2W/kg fixed by the Recommen-dation 1999/519/EC, and some-times exceeded 4W/kg.

France believed current stand-ards related to “body SAR” measurements should be re-vised so a manufacturer cannot choose a distance incompatible with the reasonably foreseea-ble use of the equipment, in line with Directive 2014/53/EU on radio equipment, and espe-cially its Article 17.1.

ANEC had similar comments in 2011 when prEN 50566 was dis-cussed by CENELEC TC 106x. Unfortunately, our comments were not accepted and we ex-pressed regret during the vote

on the standard. We supported the French Formal Objection and urged CENELEC to revise the standard as soon as possi-ble. The EC suggested the pub-lication of a restrictive warning in the Official Journal, which we supported. It is expected the de-cision on the Formal Objection will be adopted early in 2016.

Other stories

LINKS:

ANEC position paper on the standardisation aspects of the proposal for a Directive on the Accessibility of Public Sector Bodies’ Websites, http://tinyurl.com/htvz6db

ANEC press release, ‘All for industry, nothing for consumers? Standards in Digital Single Market’ (May 2015), http://tinyurl.com/h4jcusf

ANEC position paper on standards for the Digital Single Market (reply to public consultation), (December 2015), http://tinyurl.com/hhdu97w

ANEC position paper on the Draft Rolling Plan for ICT Standardisation 2016 (August 2015), http://tinyurl.com/zz6ec3m

ANEC position paper on patents and standards (February 2015), http://tinyurl.com/hygr3ys

ANEC leaflet, ‘Citizens’ requirements for smart cities: what standards can do!’, http://tinyurl.com/h6bsb9b

ANEC guides on privacy standardisation

On 29 January, to mark In-ternational Privacy & Data Protection Day (the anniver-sary of the signature of the Council of Europe Convention on Data Protection in 1981), ANEC released guidance to aid consumer representatives in standards committees ad-dress issues of personal data protection:

LINKS:

ANEC pocket guide, ‘Using Consumer Data. Data transfer, trading and privacy, http://tinyurl.com/qg92pqt

ANEC pocket guide, ‘Domestic privacy and the privacy of digitally connected devices’, http://tinyurl.com/prh7os5

ANEC pocket guide, ‘Overview of Privacy Guidance for Consumer Representatives in standards technical committees. Key Principles’, http://tinyurl.com/opo7hu6

ANEC pocket guide, ‘Overview of Privacy Guidance for members of standards technical committees who are Consumer Representatives: Key Principles for Digi-tal Device Privacy Impact Assessment’, http://tinyurl.com/nuesbxr

ANEC pocket guide, ‘Using Consumer Data: Consumer Representatives Guide on Privacy’, http://tinyurl.com/zl96kgb

18


Innovation

Smart deployment of smart meters

Over half of Europe is rolling out smart meters. Whereas house-holds in some countries have had smart meters installed for several years, others are about to fit their first generation. ANEC has reservations about the benefits smart meters bring to consumers. Although the use of minimum functionalities for smart meters and interoperabil-ity is important, we think these will not be enough to ensure ac-tive consumer participation in the smart energy market.

We have therefore proposed measures that could be used to assess whether deployment is truly benefitting consumers.

We believe smart meters can become a success story for consumers if consumers: (1) have easy access to usable consumption information, (2) have a high level of satisfaction with smart metering deploy-ment, (3) are able to realise benefits from smart meters, (4) are engaged in the smartenergy market. Compliancewith these criteria could be as-sessed through indicators.

Mandate M/490 on smart grids closed in early 2015. Having followed the mandate for sev-eral years, we find the execu-tion of M/490 to be positive for the most part but are critical

of issues related to imple-mentation, notably provision of information on energy con-sumption, lack of interoper-ability between end-devices, and privacy. We also believe that with the advent of tech-nologies such as flexibility ser-vices, it needs to be clarified how benefits can be shared and how vulnerable consum-ers can be protected. Consum-ers will need tailored support to help manage their energy consumption and independent advice when comparing com-peting offers.

LINKS:

ANEC position paper, ‘Monitoring the success of smart metering deployment from a consumer perspective ‘ (July 2015), http://tinyurl.com/nrcg4fg

EC report on the status of interopera- bility, standards and functionalities applied in large scale roll-outs of smart metering in EU countries, http://tinyurl.com/jblbhvn

ANEC press release, ‘Let’s be smart’ (March 2015), http://tinyurl.com/j6rbf87

MarketWatch

Insufficient market surveil-lance is a key obstacle to the realisation of the ener-gy-saving potential of the EU Ecodesign & Energy Labelling Directives. Hence sixteen civ-il society organisations from across Europe have come to-gether to form MarketWatch.

The Marketwatch project, launched in 2013, continued its work in 2015 with further

MarketWatch

shop visits (physical and on-line), as well as the check-test-ing and full-testing of poten-tial non-compliant products. Where non-compliance was confirmed, the manufactur-er was informed and asked to respond within two weeks. At the same time, national mar-ket surveillance authorities (MSAs) where the product was sold were also informed of the results and next steps.

LINKS:

MarketWatch, www.market-watch.eu

Report of 2nd round of shop visits, http://tinyurl.com/zcbypz8

Report of 3rd round of shop visits, http://tinyurl.com/hgmj685

How NGOs and consumers can check products on energy labelling, http://tinyurl.com/gnxjk78

How retailers can get labelling right with the MarketWatch retailer guide, http://tinyurl.com/jjsqef4

19


Services

Safety of accommodation services

In spring 2015, DG JUST pub-lished a summary of the contri-butions to the Green Paper con-sultation on safety of tourism accommodation, including our contribution on consumer ex-pectations for a minimum level of safety throughout Europe.

Unfortunately, the EC con-cluded there was insufficient stakeholder support for new legislative initiatives in the field. Nevertheless, there was near unanimous support for EU action on data collection and the sharing of best prac-tices, topics on which ANEC has also campaigned.

ANEC expressed its concern at the EC conclusions in several meetings during the rest of 2015, including the European Tourism Forum, and European Parliament roundtable, ‘What next for tourism accommoda-tion safety in the EU?’. We also continued to collaborate with our partners in the Tourism Safety Accommodation Cam-paign (TASC).

LINKS:

Summary report of the public consultation on the Green Paper on the Safety of Tourism Accommodation Services, http://tinyurl.com/jhmt6wx

Green Paper consultation on safety of tourism accommodation, http://tinyurl.com/zcmx2v8

ANEC response to Green Paper consultation, http://tinyurl.com/p2yynus

ANEC presentation to European Tourism Forum (September 2015), http://tinyurl.com/jfa3kdd

ANEC Secretary-General’s speech at EP roundtable ‘What next for tourism accommodation safety in the EU?’ (November 2015), http://tinyurl.com/zot2mo6

ANEC gave its views on cross-border parcel delivery in July. Taking into account na-tional experiences shared by our members, the paper de-scribes key consumer aspects we trust will be tackled in fu-ture EC activities to improve the quality and efficiency of the delivery market. These range from transparency of informa-tion (on price, returns policy delivery) and effective tracking & tracing of parcels, to quality of delivery service, affordability and accessibility of the service.

ANEC views on cross-border parcel delivery

LINKS:

Meanwhile, CEN TC 331 WG 1 accepted our comments on draft CEN/TS 15472, intend-ed to measure transit time for cross-border parcels us-ing “Tracking & Tracing” and CEN/TS 16819 ‘Postal servic-es - Parcel boxes for end use - Technical features’.

EC consultation on cross-border parcel delivery ‘Initiative to enhance the affordability, quality and convenience of cross-border parcel delivery’, http://tinyurl.com/pyo48fh

Other stories

LINKS:

ANEC presentation to JRC-CEN-CENE-LEC-EARTO Workshop, ‘Putting Science into Standards Evidence-based quality assurance – an example for breast cancer’, http://tinyurl.com/hbczwx3

20


Sustainability

Circular economy package rewind

In August, ANEC issued a pa-per on its expectations from the new proposal for a strat-egy on the circular economy, highlighting that the objective needs to remain the reduction of the use of resources as well as a cut in environmental and human health impacts. We be-lieve it cannot be presumed a circular economy automatical-ly leads to reduced material and energy flows, or that recy-cling is beneficial per se.

The new package on the circu-lar economy was launched on 2 December. It aims at covering the full lifecycle: from produc-tion & consumption, to waste management and the market for secondary raw materials. The Communication announc-es measures in the Ecodesign working plan for 2015-2017 and a strategy on plastics in the circular economy.

ANEC is also keen to follow ac-tions announced in the areas of construction and demolition in light of our paper ‘Laying the foundations for sustainable buildings’ in which we propose consideration of accessibility and adaptability at the design stage, as well as recyclability and the reusability of build-ing parts. We call for develop-ment of a European strategy for sustainable construction to achieve a reliable performance assessment of buildings, pro-vision of measurement indica-tors, and advice to consumers and building professionals.

LINKS:

ANEC comments in support of its response to the EC public consultation on circular economy (August 2015), http://tinyurl.com/jc234sp

The Circular Economy Package, http://tinyurl.com/zvh4j5v

ANEC position paper, ‘Laying the foundations for sustainable buildings’ (October 2015), http://tinyurl.com/q6ejqom

Ecodesign

Renewed narrative for Ecodesign

ANEC has highlighted the po-tential of Ecodesign in im-proving not only the energy efficiency of products but also their overall sustainability. We welcome that the Circular Economy package echoes our view and commits to exploit Ecodesign as a policy avenue to increase the durability, rep-arability and recyclability of products. The next Ecodesign Working Plan, the publication of which is pending, is expect-ed to outline how to accom-plish this.

LINKS:

ANEC on benefits and challenges of environmental thinking, http://tinyurl.com/jdt85pq

ANEC press release, ‘EU Energy Label overhaul will simplify sustainable shopping’ (July 2015), http://tinyurl.com/h9aof2g

EC proposal to revise the EU Energy Label, http://tinyurl.com/znajw2l

ANEC presentation, ‘Tools for sustainable development: standardisation in Sweden & Europe’, http://tinyurl.com/jbkn2wz

Other stories

21


Chemicals in consumer products

Roundtable on hazardous chemicals

On 3 March, ANEC and the Consumer Council of the Aus-trian Standards Institute held a roundtable, ‘Less hazardous chemicals in our products for a non-toxic Europe’, hosted by Christel Schaldemose MEP. The aim of the event was to raise the attention of MEPs to the ANEC strategy set out in the position paper ‘Hazardous chemicals in products - The need for en-hanced EU regulations’.

We repeated our call for a framework addressing haz-ardous substances in prod-ucts to be established, with regulatory gaps closed in pri-ority areas. The event contin-ued our debate with Europe-an and national institutions, among others, on the chemical safety of consumer products.

LINKS:

Mrs Schaldemose, as well as some national authorities & NGOs, voiced support for a horizontal legislative approach underpinned by sectoral leg-islation. ANEC believes Euro-pean standards for consum-er products cannot aim at achieving safe products until the legislation on chemicals is tightened.

In May, ANEC criticised the Juncker Commission for hes-itating in introducing regula-tion to set safety requirements for tattoo inks and permanent make-up.

ANEC position paper, ‘Hazardous chemicals in products - The need for enhanced EU regulations’ (May 2014), http://tinyurl.com/mwlxvu6

ANEC press release, ‘Juncker Commission stalls on regulating dangerous tattoo inks’ (May 2015), http://tinyurl.com/hryatpg

ANEC welcomed the opinion of the EC Toy Safety Committee on 8 June to include new lim-it values in Appendix C of the Toy Safety Directive for for-mamide (used in puzzle mats) and the sensitizers, CMI, MI, CMI/MI 3:1 and BIT. The new values were established by the EC’s Subgroup on Chem-icals in Toys, in which ANEC participates. The Subgroup was created in 2010 – in an-swer to a request of ANEC and

Toys - lower chemicals limits

LINKS:

Directive (EU) 2015/2115 of 23 November 2015 amending,..., Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys, as regards formamide, http://tinyurl.com/zd8rtak

Directive (EU) 2015/2116 of 23 November 2015 amending,...,Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys, as regards benzisothiazolinone, http://tinyurl.com/j9sspd3

Directive (EU) 2015/2117 of 23 November 2015 amending,..., Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys, as regards chloromethylisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone, both individually and in a ratio of 3:1, http://tinyurl.com/hzd29nb

several Member States - to make proposals for improving the chemical requirements of the Toy Safety Directive. Dur-ing the second half of 2015, draft amendments to the Di-rective for kathone, CMI, MI, BIT and formamide received positive opinions from Member States, a success for ANEC. The amendments to Appendix C of the Toy Safety Directive for formamide, CMI and MI were published in the OJEU on 24 November.

Other stories

LINKS:

ANEC recommends stricter requirements on candle emissions to the indoor air (September 2015), http://tinyurl.com/htatntk

ANEC response to the EC consultation on quality of drinking water in the EU (September 2014), http://tinyurl.com/mfwc4g9

ECORYS analysis of the responses to the public consultation on the quality of drinking water (February 2015), http://tinyurl.com/jo258zh

22


Traffic

Child safety

CI/ANEC attended the meet-ing of the UNECE Working Par-ty on Passive Safety (GRSP) in December 2015. Prior to this, we submitted an ANEC/CI doc-ument proposing to withdraw the Isofix provision from R44, and our representative made a presentation to the meet-ing to explain our concerns. Phase 1 of R129, dealing with integral Isofix child restraint systems (CRS), entered into force on 9 July 2013. Initially, the aim was to finalise phase 2 (non-integral CRS) and phase 3 (belted CRS), and phase out R44 (no new approvals) once all phases had entered into force, as we had advocated. However, work is still on-going on phases 2 and 3, so permit-ting new integral CRS with Iso-fix connections according to R44 to be approved. Since the beginning of this work, ANEC/CI argued to keep the transi-tional period short due to the short-comings of the old R44. Hence we proposed that no new R44 approvals be grant-ed to Isofix integral CRS and

that the transitional provisions be amended accordingly. The ANEC proposal was generally supported and GRSP agreed to consider a revised proposal at its May 2016 session.

LINKS:

Proposal to remove Isofix CRS provisions from R44 and to cease all new type approvals for CRS under R44, http://tinyurl.com/jnnuy5o

ANEC/CI presentation in support of the proposal, http://tinyurl.com/z2zvv9g

Bicycles - lighting and reflective devices

ISO 6742 ‘Cycles - Lighting and retro-reflective devices’ was published in May 2015. ANEC contributed to the draft-ing of the standard in ISO TC 149 SC 1 WG 10 to address the concern that bicycles are often effectively “invisible” at dawn, dusk and at night, so putting cyclists at risk. The ANEC technical study ‘Requirements on Lighting (Light Intensity)

and Reflectors of Bicycles’, was used to argue for “to be seen lights” to be required. We welcome the standard in offer-ing added safety to cyclists.

LINKS:

ANEC Technical Study report, ‘Requirements on Lighting (Light Intensity) and Reflectors of Bicycles’, http://tinyurl.com/opod46s

Other stories

LINKS:

ANEC/CI present results of Euro NCAP crash tests on quadricycles to 57th session of GRSP in May 2015, http://tinyurl.com/zcmhdlm

ANEC supports ETSC campaign to urge President Juncker to re-adopt target for serious road injuries, http://tinyurl.com/hwtpey7

23


Members of the ANEC General Assembly

NOTE: Each member of the ANEC General Assembly is nominated to represent the interests of all national consumer organisations in his/her home country. Hence organisations listed provide only a contact address for the GA member.

Country Member

Austria Dr Franz Fiala Consumer Council of the Austrian Standards Institute

Belgium Bénédicte Valet AB-REOC/BV-OECO

Bulgaria Prof Elka Vasileva Bulgarian National Consumer Organisation “Active Consumers”

Croatia Ida Kovacic Croatian Union of Consumer Protection Organisations

Cyprus Andreas Pavlikas Cyprus Consumers’ Association

Czechia Libor Dupal Czech Consumer Association

Denmark Benedicte Federspiel Danish Consumer Council

Estonia Linda Läänesaar Estonian Consumers Union

Finland Katri Jakosuo Consumers’ Union of Finland

France Anne Lucet-Dallongeville National Confederation of Housing

Germany Dr Holger Brackemann Stiftung Warentest

Greece Nikoloas Floratos Consumers’ Association, “The Quality of Life” (EKPIZO)

Hungary Dr György Morvay National Association for Consumer Protection in Hungary

Iceland Johannes Gunnarsson The Consumers’ Association of Iceland

Ireland Dermott Jewell The Consumers’ Association of Ireland

Italy Prof Marino Melissano Altroconsumo

Latvia Silvia Viksnina Latvian National Association for Consumer Protection

Lithuania Alvita Armanaviciene Lithuanian National Consumer Federation

Luxembourg To be appointed

Malta Grace Attard Association for Consumer Rights

Netherlands Tineke van Eerden Consumentenbond

Norway Audun Skeidsvoll The Consumer Council of Norway

Poland Elzbieta Szadzinska Polish Consumer Federation

Portugal Fernanda Santos Associação Portuguesa para a Defesa do Consumidor (DECO)

Romania Sorin Mierlea InfoCons Association

Slovakia Milan Machalec Association of Slovak Consumers

Slovenia Breda Kutin Slovene Consumers’ Association (ZPS)

Spain Conchy Martin Rey Confederacion de Consumidores y Usuarios (CECU)

Sweden Jens Henriksson Swedish Consumers’ Association

Switzerland Florence Bettschart Fédération Romande des Consommateurs (FRC)

UK Arnold Pindar National Consumer Federation

EFTA-CC Audun Skeidsvoll The Consumer Council of Norway

Candidate accession countries to the EU

Macedonia FYROM

Marijana Lonchar Velkova Consumers Organisation of Macedonia (OPM)

Turkey Nerkis Kural Federation of Consumer Associations (TÜDEF)

LINKS:

The list of GA members and their full contact details is available on the ANEC website: http://tinyurl.com/bm9kj8y

European Association for the Coordination of Con-sumer Representation in Standardisation aisbl

Avenue de Tervuren 32, box 27, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel.: +32 2 743 24 70 Fax: +32 2 706 54 30 [email protected] www.anec.eu @anectweet

ANEC Governance Structure ANEC Secretariat

ANEC is the European consum-er voice in standardisation, defending the collective con-sumer interest in the process-es of technical standardisa-tion, conformity assessment, accreditation and market sur-veillance, as well as related legislation and public policies.

ANEC was established in 1995 as an international non-profit association under Belgian law and is open to the representation of national consumer organisations in 33 countries.

ANEC is funded by the European Union and EFTA, with national consumer organisations contributing in kind. Its Secretariat is based in Brussels.

ANEC is supported financially by the European Union & EFTA

EU transparency Register No:

507800799-30

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