CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
35, Rue de Stassartstraat
B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
Phone: +32 2 519 68 71
Fax: +32 2 519 69 19

CENELEC, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, was created in 1973 as a result of the merger of two previous European organizations: CENELCOM and CENEL. Nowadays, CENELEC is a non-profit technical organization set up under Belgian law and composed of the National Electrotechnical Committees of 29 European countries. In addition, 9 National Committees from neighbouring countries are participating in CENELEC work with an Affiliate status.
CENELEC members have been working together in the interests of European harmonization since the 1950s, creating both standards requested by the market and harmonized standards in support of European legislation and which have helped to shape the European Internal Market. CENELEC works with 15,000 technical experts from 29 European countries. Its work directly increases market potential, encourages technological development and guarantees the safety and health of consumers and workers.
A Resolution of 7th May 1985 of the European Council formally endorsed the principle of reference to European standards within the relevant European regulatory work (Directives), thereby paving the way to a New Approach in the philosophy of regulations and standards in Europe. In the light of this New Approach, CENELEC is developing and achieving a coherent set of voluntary electrotechnical standards as a basis for the creation of the Single European Market/European Economic Area without internal frontiers for goods and services.
In addition to the traditional European standard deliverables, the dynamic Workshop (CWA: CENELEC Workshop Agreement) has been included in its portfolio, offering an open platform to foster the development of pre-standards for short lifetime products where time-to-market is critical.
CENELEC's mission is to prepare voluntary electrotechnical standards that help develop the Single European Market/European Economic Area for electrical and electronic goods and services removing barriers to trade, creating new markets and cutting compliance costs.
For doing this, CENELEC is strongly committed to:
· Satisfy the needs of the European industry and other stakeholders in the market place in the areas of standardisation and conformity assessment in the fields of electricity, electronics and associated technologies.
· Lead the improvement of all aspects of product quality, product safety, service quality and service safety in the fields of electricity, electronics and associated technologies, including protection of the environment, accessibility and innovation, and so to contribute to the welfare of society.
· Support IEC, the International Electrotechnical Commission, in achieving its mission: "To be globally recognised as the provider of standards and conformity assessment and related services needed to facilitate international trade in the fields of electricity, electronics and associated technologies.
In addition to the regular standardization work achieved by CENELEC since its foundation, a European Council Resolution of 7th May 1985 gave a new dimension to CENELEC's mission by recognizing it as the Standardization Body able to provide harmonized standards for the electrotechnical field under the New Approach.