United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

UNECE INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON REGIONAL EXPERIENCES IN GOOD

GOVERNANCE FOR REGULATORY PRACTICES

Experience of a candidate country adapting to EU framework

Dr. S. Presern, Ministry of Economy, Slovenia

Geneva, Novenber 10, 2003

Mechanisms of technical regulation and relationship

with trade• Technical regulation

(transposition)• Standards (voluntary)• CE marking (manufacturer’s

obligations, New Approach)• CAB (testing, certification)• Market Surveillance

(proportionality principles)Slovenian experience

On government level

• Political commitment needed;

• Resources (financial) reflected in the budget;

• A project of gigantic proportion (transposition of legislation is just one small part);

• Most difficult: different thinking in all infrastructure and economy.

There is no guidebook to follow – there are only experiences to learn from and

find the own way.

Management of transposition and implementation

• on government level

• on ministerial level

• on expert level

Improve effectivenees

Increase transpareny

“Best Regulatory Practice” BRP

Stakeholders in technical legislation• Ministries (legislator)• Market surveillance (enforcement)• Quality infrastructure:

– standardisation– accreditation– metrology

• Conformity assessment bodies• Industry and trade• Consumers

They have different

needs and objectives

Ministry has to “lead” and find a balance

Management of transposition and implementation on ministerial level• develop rules of procedures

• involvement of all stakeholders

• ensure or develop tools: – table of correspondence, – internet, ...

• stick to the text of the directive (including annexes) as much as possible.

Be proactive - do not wait for translations of directives!

Working groups - WG

• Define objective:– Just transposition of the directive– Take other initiatives outside those WG (for instance

national electrical safety board)

• Participants should identify their benefits:– Participation of experts on voluntary basis– Industry and trade participates through chambers

Solve conflict of interests early within the WG not later in the media or TV or even in referendum.

Ministry awareness campaigns • Get technical assistance:

– learning by doing, – exchange of experience– sustainable projects

• Information campaigns– guides, – leaflets, – training seminars, – Q&A

• Develop a pool of experts

Standardisation

• independent institution (new law)

• 1st priority: adopt all harmonized EN

• adopt EN and delete conflict standards

• become member of CEN, CENELEC, ETSI

• get information technology support

Stimulate gradual self-finacning !

Accreditation

• become a member of EA (European Accreditation)

• Sign MLA (multilateral agreement)

• get trained

• get involved in EU co-ordination

Accreditation is a service to industry (measure efficinecy and improve it)

Experience for industry• Implementation of technical legislation in

companies• Several EU Phare projects (also for SME)• Partially performed by Slovenian experts

(train the trainers)• Very practical questions solved (internal

market)• extremely successful

Industry is mostly prepared and ready !

Market surveillance

• Starting point: trained in legislation and standards

• go to the market together with MS inspectors in Slovenia and in Member States

• identify potentially non-compliant products

• share information (TRAPEX, ICSMS, e-mail and phone contacts with MS colleagues)

Implement principle of proportionality in practice

Conformity assessment bodies

• learn• study your market possibilities • define your area of activity• get accredited (cost benefit analysis)• develop market in voluntary areas (but be clear)• try to get co-finance in equipment (form a sink fund)• participate in EU coordination of NBs

Enlarge internal market before accession

• Legislation harmonized and implemented

• PECA in use from May 1, 2003– LVD (electrical products)– EMC (electromagnetic compatibility)– Machinery– Gas Appliances

• Slovenia has notified bodies in all sectors

Benefit for Slovenia and Member States

Summary of Slovenian experience• commitment to be reflected in the budget• find priorities and stick to timetable• involve all stakeholders in Working Groups • use table of correspondence and other tools• lobby and make contacts with MS experts• follow and observe the Commission’s work• pay attention to terminology• provide a lot of training to all infrastructure• be proactive in proposals for technical assistance

Result in SloveniaEU Internal market for technical products

• Transposition and implementation in 5 years,• No transitional periods,• Slovenia is within EU in PECA sectors,• Others sectors are ready,• All infrastructure is functioning good.

We hope that our experience will assist others in finding their own best way !