Standardisation and certification have proven to be important and widely-used instruments in the area of goods, and are now increasingly considered and used for the development of the Single Market for services. In 2008 EFTA published a report on the study “Certification and Marks in Europe" (both available here), relating to trade in goods, which was followed by a workshop entitled “Certification and marking for Europe”. NICe drew inspiration from EFTA’s results to carry out a similar study in the area of services. Two separate studies were commissioned by NICe to assess possibilities and challenges related to standardisation and certification of services. The studies were presented at the workshop, and supplemented by presentations from different stakeholders.

Ms Annika Ström Melin proved a dynamic moderator for the workshop, engaging speakers and participants in discussions on trade in services related to current events, in particular the effects of the financial crisis on the services sector.

The workshop was opened by the director of NICe, Mr Ivar Kristiansen, and Head of Unit DG Internal Market and Services, Mr Jean Bergevin. He underlined that both standardisation and certification are important for the implementation of the services directive.

The first part of the workshop concentrated on standardisation. Through four interventions participants learned about the challenges and potential of standardisation in the field of services, related in particular to initiatives and lessons learned from the Nordic countries. Mrs Renater Weissenhorn, Head of Unit DG Enterprise, urged stakeholders to engage in development of European and international standards rather than in national or regional activities.

The second part of the workshop addressed certification relating to services. Mr Tore N. Thomassen, EFTA Senior Officer, presented the EFTA study and workshop on certification relating to goods, the conclusions of which might also be applicable to the services sector. Mr Thomassen also pointed out that the interests of the certification industry are not always the same as those of the the lawmakers building the Single Market. This is a crucial point to have in mind when assessing the risk of fragmention of the Single Market in services.

Mr Jean Bergevin gives his final remarks to the workshop.

The workshop was well attended with approximately 70 participants from a wide range of stakeholders. More information on the workshop, the full list of speakers and the agenda are available here, and the presentations can be found here.

More information on the Nordic Innovation Centre can be found on their website: www.nordicinnovation.net. NICe is an important instrument for promoting an innovative and knowledge-intensive Nordic business sector. Contributing to well-functioning Nordic and European markets for services is one of the centre’s main priorities. The reports that formed the background for the workshop can be found on their website:

To certify your services

Exploiting the potential of Nordic internationalisation of services