CEN's response to environmental challenges

Environment is an interdisciplinary topic, therefore, all CEN sectors deal with environmental issues.

CEN has in place an organizational structure to respond to the challenges posed by the developments within the various sectors as well as by the evolution of the legislation within the European Community. The main bodies within CEN are:

• SABE - The Strategic Advisory Body on Environment - a body that advises the CEN Technical Board on issues related to environment. Stakeholders identify environmental issues of importance to the standardization system and propose ways in which to respond.

• The CEN/EHD - The Environmental Helpdesk that provides support and services to CEN Technical Bodies on how to address environmental aspects in standards.

• Sectors - Some sectors have established a dedicated body to address environmental matters associated with their specific needs, like the Construction Sector Network Project for the Environment (CSNPE).

• Associates - Two CEN Associate members provide a particular focus on environment within standardization: the European Environmental Citizens Organisation for Standardisation (ECOS), and the European Association for the co-ordination of consumer representation in standardisation (ANEC).