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References to standards in regulations
The application of the principle of “references to standards” implies that technical requirements are not incorporated in technical regulations but are given by referencing the standard establishing such requirements.In this way
- the regulatory process is facilitated and accelerated
- technological progress does not require changes to regulations but only to standards
- the removal of barriers to trade is facilitated
- the application of technical regulations is ensured more efficiently; by referencing identical, jointly defined international standards, differences among national technical regulations of different countries are removed.
Reference to standards (in regulations)
Reference to one or more standards in place of detailed provisions within a regulation
NOTE 1: A reference to standards is either dated, undated or general, and at the same time either exclusive or indicative.
NOTE 2: A reference to standards may be linked to a more general legal provision referring to the state of the art or acknowledged rules of technology. Such a provision may also stand alone.
NOTE 1: A reference to standards is either dated, undated or general, and at the same time either exclusive or indicative.
NOTE 2: A reference to standards may be linked to a more general legal provision referring to the state of the art or acknowledged rules of technology. Such a provision may also stand alone.
Precision of reference
1. dated reference (to standards)
reference to standards that identifies one or more specific standards in such a way that later revisions of the standard or standards are not to be applied unless the regulation is modified
NOTE: The standard is usually identified by its number and either date or edition. The title may also be given.
2. undated reference (to standards)
reference to standards that identifies one or more specific standards in such a way that later revisions of the standard or standards are to be applied without the need to modify the regulation
NOTE: The standard is usually identified only by its number. The title may also be given.
3. general reference (to standards)
reference to standards that designates all standards of a specified body and/or in a particular field without identifying them individually
reference to standards that identifies one or more specific standards in such a way that later revisions of the standard or standards are not to be applied unless the regulation is modified
NOTE: The standard is usually identified by its number and either date or edition. The title may also be given.
2. undated reference (to standards)
reference to standards that identifies one or more specific standards in such a way that later revisions of the standard or standards are to be applied without the need to modify the regulation
NOTE: The standard is usually identified only by its number. The title may also be given.
3. general reference (to standards)
reference to standards that designates all standards of a specified body and/or in a particular field without identifying them individually
Strength of reference
1. exclusive reference (to standards)
reference to standards that states that the only way to meet the relevant requirements of a technical regulation is to comply with the standard(s) referred to
2. indicative reference (to standards)
reference to standards that states that one way to meet the relevant requirements of a technical regulation is to comply with the standard(s) referred to
NOTE: An indicative reference to standards is a form of deemed-to-satisfy provision.
reference to standards that states that the only way to meet the relevant requirements of a technical regulation is to comply with the standard(s) referred to
2. indicative reference (to standards)
reference to standards that states that one way to meet the relevant requirements of a technical regulation is to comply with the standard(s) referred to
NOTE: An indicative reference to standards is a form of deemed-to-satisfy provision.
Mandatory standard
Standard the application of which is made compulsory by virtue of a general law or exclusive reference in a regulation
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