CEN/CLC Guide 22:2021

Guide on the organizational structure and processes for the assessment of the membership criteria of CEN and CENELEC CEN/CLC Guide 22:2021

Scope

This Guide complements, and should be read in conjunction with, the membership criteria of CEN and CENELEC included in CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations Part 1 (IR1), Part 1D.
This Guide supersedes CEN-CENELEC Guide 22:2015 and Guide 22:2018, in line with the decisions of the CEN and CENELEC General Assemblies taken in June 2021 to review the organizational structure and processes for the assessment of the membership criteria of CEN and CENELEC.
This Guide aims to illustrate the organizational model implementing the management of the exercises of peer assessment, external assessment or self-assessment combined with EN ISO 9001 certification of the membership criteria laid down in IR1, Part 1D, as well as their reports and follow-up of actions.
The agreed organizational model aims at building trust and accountability of the CEN-CENELEC system, while ensuring efficient and effective management. Indeed, the implementation of such an assessment system replies to the ambitious goal of “excellence” embedded in the provisions of the membership criteria.
The assessment exercises are handled under the supervision of a recognized super partes body, and independent Chair and by competent assessors, be they independent from the Member assessed (e.g. in case of peer or external assessment) or within the same Member (self-assessment combined with EN ISO 9001 certification).
The blend of competence and independence of judgment of the Chair and assessors and the effective and efficient processes of follow-up actions will ensure the integrity of the CEN-CENELEC assessment system and the recognition of those CEN and CENELEC stakeholders closely linked to, and benefiting from, standardization.