Version: 2 (March 2012)
Source: Resolution BT 58/2004
1. Background
2. Introduction of the mechanism in the CEN System
3. The mechanism
4. Supporting tools
1. Background 
Mandate M/283, M/292 and M/293 (all approved by the CEN Technical Board) ask the standardisation organisations:
- To set up a mechanism to make sure that the guidance document is actually used and improved;
- To distribute the document to all relevant technical bodies;
- To promote ways of insuring that the information is accessible at the right time;
- To request committees to report on use and experiences at regular intervals;
- To evaluate the use and report to the commission.
A co-ordination meeting between the representatives of CEN/BT/WG 113, CEN/BT/WG117, CEN/BT/WG 124 and CENELEC/BT/WG 101-5 has taken place in Berlin on 2001-11-23. A preliminary proposal for a mechanism was worked out at that meeting.
The respective Working Groups further discussed this draft mechanism individually and made some proposals to improve the mechanism.
Subsequently, the CEN/Technical Board reviewed and commented on the draft mechanism proposal, and these comments were incorporated in a final version. This final version was submitted to the CEN/Technical Board (document BT N 7272) and adopted in resolution BT 58/2004. After further editing, this document contains the final version of the mechanism (see clause 3).
NOTE: This mechanism is not yet adopted by the CENELEC Technical Board.
2. Introduction of the mechanism in the CEN System
Where a Technical Body decides it is appropriate, in the foreword of the Standard(s), Technical Specifications, Technical Reports or Workshop Agreements, a sentence that states that the relevant aspect(s) regarding needs of older persons and persons with disabilities have been addressed, should be introduced.
3. The mechanism
3.1 Responsibility
The technical bodies (TCs, WGs, Project Committees, etc.) are responsible for addressing the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities in their standards. The technical body can make an optional working document, in the form of e.g. a checklist or matrix, which shows how and which of these individual needs have been addressed. This working document does not form part of the standard at any moment in time.
Rationale: Technical bodies have the best competence to decide if and how to address, in their standards, aspects regarding the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities. Eventually, support from experts in the specific field of competence might be called upon.
Not every standard is affected (e.g. test method standards). The (revised) Business plan should identify those standards that are of concern.
3.2 Review of existing standards - new standardisation work
Review of existing standards takes place at the latest every five years. During this review and when needed, the technical body addresses the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities.
For new and ongoing standardisation work, the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities can be addressed during the standardisation work.
Rationale: For reasons of efficiency, introduction of the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities, in existing standards, have to be considered at the moment of review of the standard.
3.3 Statement
When a Technical Body feels it is appropriate, they should include a statement in the foreword of those standards where aspects regarding the need of older persons and persons with disabilities have been addressed.
For example, the statement could read: "During the
development/ revision of this document the Technical Committee / Task Force has referred to the recommendations made within CEN/CENELEC Guide 6 to address the specific needs of older persons and persons with disabilities".
3.4 Guides
The prime reference document to be used for addressing the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities, in Standards, Technical Specifications and Technical Reports is the CEN/CENELEC Guide 6 'Guidelines for standard developers to address the needs of older persons and persons with disabilities' (equivalent to ISO/IEC Guide 71).
NOTE:
In addition to the CEN/CENELEC Guide 6, additional information sources or supportive material can also be used. This material could consist of a Website, databases containing bibliographies, specific sector guides (e.g. collective transport systems) or other useful information. The creation of these additional supportive tools, apart from those tools/materials already in existence, is fully dependant on the resources (financial and human) available.
4. Supporting tools
4.1 Reference documents
4.2 Other