Guide to the implementation of directives based on the New ...

❝ <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>implementation</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>directives</strong> <strong>based</strong> on <strong>the</strong> New Approach and <strong>the</strong> Global Approach ❞
9.3. European conformity assessment pro<strong>to</strong>cols
tries, <strong>to</strong> support <strong>the</strong> progressive extension
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> single market <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>se countries, and
<strong>to</strong> promote health and safety. The determining
fac<strong>to</strong>r for an ECAP is <strong>the</strong> capacity <strong>of</strong>
● The European conformity assessment pro<strong>to</strong>cols are intended
<strong>to</strong> be established between <strong>the</strong> European Community and <strong>the</strong>
<strong>the</strong> applicant countries <strong>to</strong> specifically implement
<strong>the</strong> parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Community acquis
governments <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> applicant countries <strong>of</strong> central and eastern
Europe (Hungary, Poland, <strong>the</strong> Czech Republic, Slovenia, Es<strong>to</strong>nia,
Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Latvia and Lithuania).
ECAPs are <strong>based</strong> on alignment <strong>to</strong> Commu-
that are adopted in <strong>the</strong> pro<strong>to</strong>col. Since
● The objective <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> European conformity assessment pro<strong>to</strong>cols
is <strong>to</strong> support <strong>the</strong> progressive alignment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> applicant Community legislation in a Member State or
nity rules, products assessed according <strong>to</strong>
an applicant country can be placed on <strong>the</strong>
countries with <strong>the</strong> Community acquis and <strong>the</strong> facilitation <strong>of</strong>
Community market and on <strong>the</strong> market <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
trade and market access.
applicant country.
In order <strong>to</strong> ensure <strong>the</strong> development in
The central and eastern European countries, which have terms <strong>of</strong> reciprocal openness <strong>of</strong> markets until <strong>the</strong> accession
signed an association agreement with <strong>the</strong> Community committing
<strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> align <strong>the</strong>ir legislation with <strong>the</strong> Community ditions necessary for <strong>the</strong> adoption and <strong>implementation</strong> <strong>of</strong>
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> applicant countries, <strong>the</strong> ECAPs are <strong>based</strong> on <strong>the</strong> con-
acquis, and which at <strong>the</strong> same time are applying for membership
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> European Union, have a special status. This ● progressive alignment <strong>of</strong> framework laws;
<strong>the</strong> Community acquis as follows:
has provided <strong>the</strong> opportunity <strong>of</strong> designing a specific model ● progressive alignment <strong>of</strong> sec<strong>to</strong>rial laws with <strong>the</strong> New
<strong>of</strong> mutual recognition agreements for those countries. Approach <strong>directives</strong> and o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>directives</strong>;
These are called European Conformity Assessment Pro<strong>to</strong>cols
(ECAP or PECA).
ensure that <strong>the</strong> technical competence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bodies involved
● development <strong>of</strong> technical infrastructures in order <strong>to</strong>
The ECAPs should cover <strong>the</strong> products submitted <strong>to</strong> in <strong>the</strong> conformity assessment procedures is at <strong>the</strong> level
Community legislation, and should include all procedures required by <strong>the</strong> European Union;
required <strong>to</strong> verify <strong>the</strong> conformity <strong>of</strong> products <strong>to</strong> this legislation.
They comprise a framework pro<strong>to</strong>col and sec<strong>to</strong>rial enforcement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> acquis; and
● setting up <strong>the</strong> necessary structures for <strong>the</strong> correct
annexes. The framework pro<strong>to</strong>col adopts <strong>the</strong> essential principles
concerning mutual recognition <strong>of</strong> products, <strong>based</strong> on define <strong>the</strong> procedures and means for correctly carrying out
● taking in<strong>to</strong> account <strong>the</strong> need <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> applicant countries <strong>to</strong>
<strong>the</strong> principle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> adoption <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> acquis. Sec<strong>to</strong>rial annexes
are added successively.
As part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pre-accession strategy, <strong>the</strong> Commission
market surveillance.
The ECAPs should be seen as a support for <strong>the</strong> alignment
process, and as an instrument <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pre-accession tance programmes in aligning <strong>the</strong>ir legislation with Commu-
supports <strong>the</strong> applicant countries through technical assis-
strategy. At <strong>the</strong> same time <strong>the</strong>y are a means <strong>to</strong> facilitate nity legislation. This aid is frequently completed by bilateral
trade between <strong>the</strong> Member States and <strong>the</strong> applicant coun-
assistance from Member States.
and vice versa. Successful <strong>implementation</strong>
should benefit both parties in this way. The
main aims <strong>of</strong> technical assistance, <strong>the</strong>refore,
are <strong>to</strong> increase trade relationships and
● Technical assistance is <strong>the</strong> basis for creating a homogeneous,
transparent and credible technical environment in
investment opportunities, improve <strong>the</strong> quality
<strong>of</strong> goods on <strong>the</strong> domestic market, help
which <strong>the</strong> public authorities, economic opera<strong>to</strong>rs and users
can have confidence.
● Technical assistance aims <strong>to</strong> achieve <strong>the</strong> availability <strong>of</strong> high
quality products on <strong>the</strong> market.
<strong>the</strong> recipient countries develop <strong>the</strong>ir own
infrastructure and <strong>to</strong> reinforce <strong>the</strong> human
capacity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> countries in <strong>the</strong> technical
areas.
Technical assistance is a transfer <strong>of</strong> knowledge and legislation
Technical assistance programmes take place in <strong>the</strong>
policies, such as <strong>the</strong> New Approach and <strong>the</strong> Global fields <strong>of</strong> institutional cooperation, standardisation,
Approach, but also a transfer <strong>of</strong> European best practice. It
enables European experience <strong>to</strong> be shared with partners
from non-member countries in all areas, with <strong>the</strong> objective <strong>of</strong>
lifting barriers <strong>to</strong> trade as a result <strong>of</strong> increased compatibility
or harmonisation on <strong>the</strong> international level, and increasing
investment from <strong>the</strong> Member States <strong>to</strong> recipient countries
metrology, certification, accreditation, quality management
and quality assurance. These programmes are intended
for countries that are not on a comparable level
with <strong>the</strong> Member States in <strong>the</strong>se fields. Since some partner
countries have reached a stage <strong>of</strong> economic and industrial
development where basic infrastructures are in
9.4. Technical assistance
64