The Council took note of information provided by the Presidency on the progress made on a draft regulation aimed at modernising European standardisation.
The basis for discussions on the future reform was put forward by the Commission in the communication "A strategic vision for European standards" and the draft regulation on European standardisation.
A first ministerial debate on the reform of the standardisation system in Europe took place on 29 September 2011. Ministers expressed broad support for increasing the role of European standards, to benefit the EU economy, and agreed on the need to shape a standardisation model that would be adaptable to ever-changing conditions by making it more flexible.