Under the new membership category, BSI retains all of its rights to run committees, to participate and to adopt ENs. Whereas there will be some changes to how BSI is represented in the governing bodies of CEN and CENELEC, our seat on the Technical Boards continues unchanged. This decision provides certainty and continuity for our UK stakeholders. It is fully in line with the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, and supports the UK Designated Standards System which specifically refers to the role of European standards. In practical terms, this means that the rights of BSI experts to contribute to European technical work continues as does the right of BSI to propose new work items, apply to hold secretariats and to nominate committee chairs.
We would like to extend our thanks to you all for your consistent support for our continued membership of CEN and CENELEC over the five years since the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU in June 2016. We believe the decision of the CEN and CENELEC General Assemblies will enable us to deliver on your priorities to retain influence over the development of European standards for the benefit of UK economy and society more broadly.