As the Western Balkans and other candidate countries inch closer to European Union membership, aligning with EU standards and regulations is a crucial step toward seamless integration into the Single Market.
These shared standards act as a unifying language in global trade, enabling consensus-driven agreements and promoting fair play in the marketplace. By fostering market creation, boosting competitiveness, overcoming trade barriers, and enhancing market access, they pave the way for a more robust and interconnected European Union.
Standards also play a vital role in innovation, helping to shape emerging markets before they fully materialize. Recognizing this importance, candidate countries must commit to embracing standardization and aligning technically with the bloc.
CEN and CENELEC, two prominent European standardization organizations, are instrumental in this process. These organizations work diligently to promote the adoption of European standards beyond Europe’s borders. Driven by agreements like the Vienna Agreement (between CEN and ISO) and the Frankfurt Agreement (between CENELEC and IEC), they have established cooperation frameworks with global and national standardization organizations. This allows these entities to access, review, and potentially adopt European standards, fostering a wider reach and influence.
Joining the EU is a multi-faceted journey, requiring aspiring countries to address a comprehensive list of requirements. Standardization, as a cornerstone of the EU acquis, holds a prominent place among these tasks.
The New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, launched in 2023 by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, underscores the importance of convergence between the region and the EU, particularly regarding access to the Single Market.
Kostanca Dedja, responsible for the right to information in Albania’s General Directorate of Standardisation (DPS), highlights the critical role standardization plays in EU accession. She emphasizes its significance in aligning with EU regulations and legislations, promoting economic development, safeguarding public health and safety, strengthening institutional capacity, facilitating trade, protecting consumers, and fostering regional integration.
Dedja underscores the vital role of an effective standardization system in Albania’s EU membership bid, citing its contribution to broader reforms and reinforcement of the country’s institutional framework.
Albania has made significant strides in this regard, achieving fully operational standardisation system aligned with EU legislation. Over 93% of EU standards have been integrated into Albanian Standards, ensuring accessibility for all stakeholders. Moreover, more than 90% of EU standards in civil engineering have also been adopted and published as Albanian Standards, making them readily available for use by all parties involved.
With the EU being the Western Balkans’ leading trade partner, accounting for nearly 70% of the region’s total trade and witnessing a remarkable 207% increase in exports from 2011 to 2021, the path forward is clear. Continued standardization and compliance with EU regulations will unlock further benefits from the Single Market, allowing high-quality goods and services from the region to seamlessly reach the rest of Europe.
CEN and CENELEC play a vital role in this process. Serbia (ISS) and North Macedonia (ISRSM) hold full membership, while Albania is on track to achieve full-right membership. Bosnia and Herzegovina (ISBIH) and Montenegro (ISME) currently operate as affiliates, and Kosovo (AKS) participates through its representatives.
Dedja emphasizes the advantages of full membership, including the ability to influence European standards to reflect national needs, bolstering industry compliance with EU standards, and enhancing DPS’ capabilities. Fostering cooperation with other national standardization bodies and aligning Albania’s standards with EU policies are crucial steps for aspiring EU member states.
This critical process was highlighted at the Balkan Conference of Standardization Bodies, held in July in Bled under the auspices of the Slovenian Institute for Standardisation (SIST). The conference served as a platform for sharing best practices, addressing shared challenges, and emphasizing the importance of standardization.
Beyond the Balkans, CEN and CENELEC are actively collaborating with other aspiring EU members, including Ukraine (DSTU), Georgia (GEOSTM), and Moldova (ISM), all of whom operate as affiliates.
This “affiliate” status, effective since January 1, 2023, brings these organizations closer to the European Standardisation System and the Single Market. This intermediary yet crucial step guides them towards full membership, solidifying their integration into the EU landscape.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Kostanca Dedja, Expert in Standardization
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Kostanca. It’s a pleasure to have you here today to discuss the critical role of standardization in the EU accession process, particularly for the Western Balkans. As we observe countries in that region moving closer to EU membership, how would you summarize the importance of aligning with EU standards?
Kostanca Dedja: Thank you for having me. The importance of aligning with EU standards cannot be overstated. These standards act as a universal language in global trade, enabling consensus-driven agreements and fostering fair competition in the marketplace. For countries like Albania, embracing these standards means not only improving our economic framework but also ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens.
Time.news Editor: That’s a great point. You mentioned safety and well-being. Can you elaborate on how standardization affects public health and safety in your country?
Kostanca Dedja: Certainly. By adopting EU standards, we ensure that products, services, and processes meet rigorous health and safety criteria. This alignment protects consumers and promotes confidence in our markets. For example, in the food industry, adhering to international standards helps prevent health crises and ensures that Albanian products can compete on a larger stage, thus benefiting our citizens and the economy alike.
Time.news Editor: It’s fascinating to see that link between standards and consumer protection. The New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans emphasized the convergence of the region with the EU. How does this plan specifically support standardization efforts?
Kostanca Dedja: The New Growth Plan is pivotal as it underscores the necessity of aligning with EU regulations to access the Single Market. By committing to standardization, candidate countries can not only facilitate trade but also strengthen their institutional capacities. This progress will enable us to create a more conducive environment for innovation and economic development, ultimately bringing us closer to full EU integration.
Time.news Editor: CEN and CENELEC are leading organizations in this standardization journey. How have these bodies influenced Albania’s standardization process?
Kostanca Dedja: CEN and CENELEC play an instrumental role by promoting the adoption of European standards beyond Europe. Through agreements like the Vienna Agreement and the Frankfurt Agreement, they have established frameworks that allow us to access, review, and potentially adopt those standards. Their support is crucial in ensuring that we’re not only compliant but also competitive on the global stage.
Time.news Editor: As you’ve noted, Albania has made significant strides in standardization, incorporating over 93% of EU standards into our national system. What are the implications of these achievements for stakeholders in the country?
Kostanca Dedja: The implications are profound. With the integration of EU standards, all stakeholders—from businesses to consumers—benefit. For businesses, it means access to a larger market, reduced trade barriers, and enhanced credibility. For consumers, it means greater safety and quality assurance. Ultimately, this newfound alignment contributes to regional integration and strengthens our bid for EU membership.
Time.news Editor: Looking ahead, what do you envision as the next steps for Albania on its standardization journey?
Kostanca Dedja: The next steps involve not only further adoption of standards but also improving our enforcement and monitoring systems to ensure compliance. Additionally, we must continue fostering collaboration among stakeholders, increasing awareness and educational initiatives around the significance of standardization in economic development. This holistic approach is essential for sustaining momentum and fulfilling our EU aspirations.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Kostanca. Your insights reveal just how critical standardization is to not only Albania’s EU accession but also to overall regional stability and growth. We look forward to seeing how this journey unfolds.
Kostanca Dedja: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this vital topic. I appreciate your interest in Albania’s progress, and I’m optimistic about our path towards deeper European integration.