CEN

What is CEN?

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) acts as a business facilitator on the Continent, with the objective to remove trade barriers between industries and consumers. The group provides a strong platform off which European standards are developed.

CEN is the only recognized European organization for the planning, drafting and adoption of European standards in all areas of economic activity. The only exceptions are the telecommunication and electro-technology industries in Europe.

There are 31 National Members that make up the CEN who work together to develop these standards. The most important achievement of the CEN is that there is one common standard in all these member countries to enable a product to reach a wider market. All conflicting standards are withdrawn in every member country so that the product can make a smooth transition into the market and to the homes of consumers, without unnecessary costs and testing procedures.

The CEN believes in an international standards model and, as such, signed the Vienna Agreement in 1991 with its international counterpart, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), to ensure mutual cooperation and the adoption of similar texts.

Which Countries Comprise CEN?

The following countries are National Members of the European Committee for Standardization:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, GGreece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Services Provided by CEN

The CEN Management Center (CMC) offers various services to industries and consumers.
These include:

• An Innovation Department which develops new business and promotes the use of standards and CEN Workshop Agreements in new markets and industries.
• CEN-CENELEC Infodesk provides answers to frequently asked questions.
• The CEN Environmental Helpdesk provides information to CEN Technical Committees when they need to address environmental issues when setting standards.

CEN and Responsible Remote Gambling Measures

In February 2011, CEN published the CEN Workshop Agreement on internet gambling, entitled the 'Responsible Remote Gambling Measures', which aims in securing a high level of protection to online players in the European region.

The CWA on responsible gambling is based on specific contributions made by over 600 participants, including academics in criminology and addiction, industry associations, operators, players associations and experts on problem gambling, and was submitted to the public for consideration over a three month period. A total of nine policy objectives were declared in the CWA, as follows:

1. To protect vulnerable customers.
   
2. To prevent underage gambling.
   
3. To combat fraud and criminal behavior.
4. To protect customer privacy and safeguard information.
5. To ensure prompt and accurate customer payments.
6. To ensure fair gaming.
7. To ensure responsible marketing.
8. To commit to customer satisfaction and support.
9. To ensure secure, safe and reliable operating environments.

The CWA provides 134 implementing measures to attain these nine objectives.