Following our report to the 10^th meeting held in Sirkka/Finland in December 2001 (see document N 320, Annex 2) we have the pleasure to report as follows:

　

1.1 At this meeting it was stated again that there are problems in the coordination between CEN and ISO under the Vienna Agreement Both organisation try to improve effectiveness, transparency and the use of modem techniques like E-mail and Internet use for handling 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. On the one hand we have to realise that the WGs are set under time pressure and on the other hand there are delays caused by CEN CMC due to structural problems.

　

1.3 The CEN PPE Consultant, Mr. Eero Korhonen, reported that the PPE Directive 89/686 will be reviewed in due time. Focus points will be

　

We submitted to relevant authorities a proposal for the text of the revised Annex II, clause 3.4. We have been informed that our proposal was accepted by the Editing Committee. In spring 2002 the EU Commission has decided to put the review on hold for a further evaluation.

　

1.4 The PPE Consultant highlighted the importance of a proper verification of Annex ZA and the required risk evaluation before writing standards to define performance level and application of the device in a proper way.

　

1.5 It was reported that a recommendation to CEN/BT dealing with the implementation of the concept of Measurement Uncertainty in European Standards was available. But this issue is discussed very controversial.

　

1.6 It was also reported that a CEN/CENELEC Guide "Safety of consumers and children - Product information" is intended to be prepared.

　

1.7 The attendants of the CEN/TC 162 meeting were also informed that the EU Directive on Product Safety has been revised. This is a new approach directive in the sense that harmonised standards can be used to prove conformity, but it does not lead to CE marking. It is expected that this directive will have considerable influence on the standardisation of issues related to general consumer protection.

　

1.8 Some attendants referred to the problem that pictograms used in International Standards have to registered with ISO administration. There are some problems how to comply with the relevant procedure.

　

1.9 Eero Korhohnen informed the members of CEN/TC 162 that the period of his work as CEN Consultant for PPE has been finished. It is unclear whether he will continue this job for a next period or not.

　

Again 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.

　

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.

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 be 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.

　

As an important step regarding the cooperation with ISO/TC 8 /SC 1 we could reached an exchange of experience.

　

Certain activities have been started in the IMO/SOLAS area, especially in Scandinavia. A relevant information will be given at the Cologne meeting.

　

Ergonomical aspects have to be treated with priority. Therefore CEN/TC 122 JWG 9 tried to improve and elaborate European Standards for ergonomical requirements of PPE. Such papers seems to be very are helpful to summarise the principles for ergonomic design, but they give less help for actual product related design. It was agreed not to continue the development of European Standards.

　

ANEC, the European Consumer Association, proposed the elaboration new standards for PPEs used in sports and leisure activities. The relevant list also includes the area of watersports. The attempt to create standards related to activities might be critical, the approach in the past was related to specific protection aims.

　

CEN intends to hold a Conference on PPE in 2003. One substantial item of that meeting will be "The PPE for sport and leisure"

　

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

　

　

At the Sirkka meeting these drafts have been discussed. It was agreed to launch a 2^nd enquiry. The draft completed after the above meeting have been submitted to CEN/TC 162.

　

Both drafts have been forwarded to CEN/TC 162 for launching the 1^st enquiry. This committee accepted to launch the enquiry based on the versions circulated as documents CEN/TC 162/WG 6 N 328 and N 329.

　

After a long discussion in CEN /TC 162 this committee accepted to launch the 1^st enquiry based on the version circulated as Annex 3 of document CEN/TC 162/WG 6 N 305.

　

See item 8 of the agenda for the Cologne meeting.

　

The European Standard EN 1095 was approved by CEN on 23 November 1997.

The comments on ISO/DIS 12401 have to be considered under item 7 of the agenda for the Cologne meeting.

　

EN ISO 15027-1 to -3 were approved by CEN on 10 May 2001. CMC Brussels decided in accordance with the existing rules only to take into consideration the editorial comments received at the formal vote stage. Technical Comments given by some countries have not been taken into consideration. They can be re-activated in the course of the periodical review or proposed to be covered by an amendment to be prepared in our group.

　

The three EN ISO have been published by CEN CMC in March 2002. The English versions have already been circulated as Annexes 4 to 6 of document CEN/TC 162/WG 6 N 305.

　

Rolf Popp　Hans-Hermann Lehnecke

Convenor　Secretary