The role of harmonized standards

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Harmonized standards play a crucial role in ensuring product compliance with EU legislation. Here’s an explanation of how they work:

Purpose and Definition

Harmonized standards are European standards developed by European Standardization Organizations (ESOs) at the request of the European Commission[1][5]. They provide:

  • Technical specifications to meet safety and performance requirements for products in the EU market
  • A common technical language for regulatory authorities, manufacturers, and compliance verifiers

Development Process

  1. The European Commission issues a standardization request (mandate) to ESOs[4].
  2. ESOs, such as CEN and CENELEC, develop the standards through technical committees[1].
  3. The process involves stakeholder consultation and consensus-building[2].

Key Characteristics

Harmonized standards are:

  • Tailored to specific EU legislation
  • Published in the Official Journal of the European Union
  • Voluntary in most cases, but widely used for compliance demonstration[5]

Presumption of Conformity

When a product complies with harmonized standards:

  • It is presumed to conform with the relevant EU legislation requirements[4].
  • Manufacturers can use this presumption to demonstrate compliance more easily[1].

Application Across Sectors

Harmonized standards apply to various sectors, including:

  • Medical devices and in vitro diagnostics[1]
  • Construction products[7]
  • AI systems (under development for the EU AI Act)[6]

Benefits

  1. Simplifies compliance process for manufacturers
  2. Reduces barriers to trade within the EU
  3. Improves product safety and performance
  4. Enhances competitiveness in the EU market[7]

Continuous Update

Standards are regularly reviewed and updated to:

  • Reflect technological advancements
  • Address new safety concerns
  • Align with changes in EU legislation[1]

By providing clear technical guidance and facilitating compliance, harmonized standards serve as a crucial link between EU legislation and practical implementation across various industries.

Citations:
[1] https://decomplix.com/understanding-harmonized-standards-medical-devices-ivds/
[2] https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC139430/JRC139430_01.pdf
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonization_(standards)
[4] https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/article/40/
[5] https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/product-requirements/standards/standards-in-europe/index_en.htm
[6] https://www.skadden.com/insights/publications/2024/10/eu-standardization-supporting-the-artificial-intelligence-act
[7] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/construction/construction-products-regulation-cpr/harmonised-standards_en
[8] https://www.dataguidance.com/news/eu-jrc-publishes-harmonized-standards-european-ai-act
[9] https://blog.johner-institute.com/regulatory-affairs/harmonized-standards/
[10] https://www.ds.dk/en/about-standards/ce-marking/harmonized-standards

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