This month marks 10 years since the ETUC decided to step up its implication in EU standard-setting. Since 2015, the ETUC has worked to ensure better representation and more effective participation of trade unions in standardisation.
Standards permeate the world of work. They provide rules and guidance on how products and tools are made, methods are applied, and services are rendered.
Not only are they crucial in enabling the single market through interoperability and compatibility; they also ensure the safety and quality of products.
Importantly, standards affect workers. There are countless cases of how they do so – from shaping the high-risk machinery or AI systems we use at work, to the safety and maintenance features of personal protective equipment used by workers in different sectors all over Europe, to many more examples.
Sitting at the standards’ drafting table is necessary to ensure they support good working conditions, as is engaging in their implementation at the workplace. To support trade unions in this regard, and marking this year’s important anniversary for the project, the ETUC has published hands-on and practical tools, including a Handbook “Standards at the Workplace”, introducing the world of standards and explaining their impact on workers.
ETUC Deputy Secretary General Claes-Mikael Ståhl said:
“This year’s anniversary offers an opportunity to take stock of the project’s work so far. It also coincides with the European Commission’s decision to review EU Regulation 1025/2012 on Standardisation.
“There is much we have achieved over the past 10 years, but a lot more is needed to advance the inclusiveness of the European standardisation system.
“The participation of trade unions is a precondition for such inclusiveness, to ensure high quality standards that truly uphold good working conditions.
“These handbooks can hopefully support us as trade unionists to better engage in processes that affect our members on a day-to-day basis. They are an invite to renew our commitment as a movement, defending workers through standardisation.
