Following our report (see document N 287) to the 9^th meeting held in Neuss in May 2001 we have the pleasure to report to the members of our joint CEN - ISO group as follows:

　

　

1.1 At this meeting it was stated that there are problems in the coordination of papers in CEN and ISO under the rules of the Vienna Agreement. These problems are caused by personal changes in CEN and ISO. Both organisation try to improve effectiveness, transparency and the use of modem techniques like E-mail and Internet use, do handle the papers in the different stages more effective.

　

1.2 It was also informed that new procedures of CEN will restrict work schedule to maximum 36 months to finalise papers, whereas ISO intend to cancel papers if there is no progress within 24 months. So we have to realise that the WGs are set under time pressure. Our group is effected by this strategy as follows:

　

　

　

1.3 The CEN PPE Consultant, Mr. Eero Korhonen, reported that the PPE Directive 89/686 will be reviewed in due time. The schedule may be that a drafting committee started its work in 2001 to present a draft for comments in summer 2002. It is assumed that the enquiry phase will be between 3 and 5 years before final publishing. Focus points will be

　

We submitted a proposal for the text of the revised Annex II, clause 3.4. to Mr.Korhonen as decided at Neuss. We have been informed that our proposal was accepted by the Editing Committee.

　

1.4 Furthermore the PPE Consultant highlighted the importance of a proper verification of Annex ZA and the required risk assessment in forehand of writing standards to define the scope a proper way.

　

1.5 The new translation procedure by CEN requires a consolidated master version (in most cases this will be an English language version) for enquiry and formal vote. The translation into the German and French language will be created in the run of the procedure by DIN and AFNOR.

Strong concerns were expressed that the language versions will have major uncertainties due to wrong interpretation of special terms.

A period of about 3 weeks will be available for DIN and AFNOR for final crosscheck. The WGs have to take care to verify their interest. Negative experiences with this procedures have been yet reported by ISO/TC 188.

　

1.6 CEN/TC 162/WG 1 has developed a glossary, which might be helpful to check definitions. This Working Group also prepared a draft standard for "rain test" of protective clothing which might be also of interest for our testing.

　

The resolutions adopted at this meeting are attached as Annex 1.

　

The board of CEN/TC 162 highly emphasised and requires, that the procedures of the vertical experience exchange are to be followed. The TC board shall be informed on existing problems and counter actions to be initiated by the standardisation bodies. The procedures of experience exchange have to be followed.

　

CEN wishes a wide range of harmonisation by placing harmonised standards into Annex A of this Directive, to ease the work of manufacturers and testhouses and for the benefit of the user.

Annex A referring to special items for example PPE will be modified regularly to adopt the relevant European Standards. This will be one of the tasks of the "Rapporteur" on regular base. A support by a harmonised attempt for the different types of PPE via the national authorities will be appreciated and helpful.

Meanwhile we are informed that test houses notified by the Marine Directive will cooperate on national or vertical experience exchange.

Problems are arising from marketing products under the MED and the PPE Directive.

Products under the MED are for limited use and defined as "equipment", designated to sea-going ships under IMO - SOLAS regulations. Devices under the PPE Directive are for constant use under the foreseen risk. It has to he reported that in the market MED products are offered without clear indication of this problem giving unclear information to the user and leading to misuse.

It has to be spelled out clearly, that a floatation device under the MED shall not be used as PPE in the Single Market.

　

An experience exchange between the convenors could be established or better re-activated. Mr. Heinz, USCG, stated no interest in the development of lifejacket standards for the moment. The regular exchange of papers will be assured. During the voting procedures specially part 1 will be considered and commented by TC 8 SC 1.

See also report of the last TC 8 plenary meeting, St. Peterburg.

　

Ergonomical aspects have to be treated with priority. Therefore CEN/TC 122 JWG 9 tries to improve and elaborate standards for ergonomical requirements of PPE. But several draft standards dealing with principles, biological and thermal aspects have failed the voting procedures.

Such standards seems to be very are helpful to summarise the principles for ergonomic design, but they give less help for actual, product related design.

　

A relevant information received from ISO is attached as Annex 2. The joint group has to decide how to comply with this ISO decision.

　

A CEN task force has elaborated the principles for consumers information. Our proposal to BT is part of prEN ISO 12402-part 10.

　

ANEC, the international consumer association, has launched a proposal for new Standards, related to new sports or leisure activities. We will be involved to all "watersports". The attempt to create Standards related to activities might be critical, the approach in the past was related to specific protection aims.

　

This conference is organized by the Netherland Rescue Association and mainly orientated to medical problems. Nevertheless some of the WG members could place abstracts to bring our work to public.

　

are still under consideration at BT level

　

　

11.1.1 PrEN ISO 12402-1 to -5, -8 and -9 are intended to be completed at the Kittil meeting to be forwarded to CEN and ISO for starting a second parallel enquiry.

　

11.1.2 Drafts for prEN ISO 12402-6 and -7 have been circulated in our group to be adopted at the Kittil meeting for launching parallel enquiry in CEN and ISO.

　

11.1.3 PrEN 12402-10 has been submitted to the CEN/TC 1 62 secretary for launching parallel enquiry. A copy is attached as Annex 3. NOTE: This is not an official enquiry document

The paper "selection and application of floatation devices and deck safety harnesses" is a stringed part of the set of Standards. The PPE forum recommended to launch those papers as an EN/ISO Standard. Some member States refuse to publish those papers as Standards, claiming a conflict with § 137 of The Treaty.

　

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 23 November 1997. A corresponding ISO/DIS 12401 was circulated within the ISO for enquiry. The deadline was the end of September 2001. The result and any comments are not available at present. Surely we can inform about them at the Kittil meeting. But these comments can not be considered at this meeting. This has to be done at the. meeting after the next. At this stage the joint group has also to decide how to unify EN 12401 and ISO 12401.

　

In addition to 1.2 a), see above, we would like to inform about the following.

We have English language versions of EN ISO 15027-1 to -3 dated September 2001 which are showing that the standards were approved by CEN on 10 May 2001. These documents are attached for your personal information as Annex 4, 5 and 6.

But meanwhile we got an information that ISO rejected these standards and asked CMC (CEN) in Brussels to modify these documents. The current situation seems to be unclear. Technical Comments given to the formal vote (specially from UK and Finland) have not been considered. They are stored (N 296) and can be re-activated for the review or considered for an amendment procedure.

But we will try to inform the joint group about any news at the Kittil meeting.

　

Rolf Popp　Hans-Hermann Lehnecke

Convenor　Secretary