To specify the actions required to prepare, approve, publish and update a Technical Specification (CEN/TS).

1 PROCESS 

1.1 The Technical Body (TB) or, in case there is no relevant TB, the Technical Board (BT) decides to develop a CEN/TS and allocates the work to a drafting body (e.g. a TB/WG).

The TB, or BT, decides on the development time as indicated in the NWIP. If not specified otherwise, the default timeframe until final vote (stage 30.99) is set to 52 weeks.

The CEN/TS is included as a work item in the work programme. The decision to develop a CEN/TS may be the result of a failure to gain consensus/approval of a draft European Standard (prEN).

1.2 The drafting body either:

• drafts the CEN/TS in one of the CEN official languages and in accordance with CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations - Part 3; or
• edits and adapts the FprCEN/TS on the basis of the failed prEN.

1.3 Although not mandatory, WG Convenors are encouraged to circulate a working draft to TBs within the planned target date for 20.60, in time to allow subsequent submission to a 4-week TB commenting period.

1.4 The TB Secretary monitors via Projex-Online the development of their WIs to ensure delivery by the set deadline (stage 30.99) and takes measures in case of delay, to avoid the risk of deletion of WIs in unjustified cases:

• the initially planned target date (stage 30.99) for TS can be modified once with a simple agreement of the TB Officers, in coordination with the WG Convenor, via the ‘One change option’ on Projex-Online Working Area;
• a 9-month tolerance for TS can be requested once by the TB Officers in agreement with the WG Convenor, via email to dataservice@cencenelec.eu.

1.5 The TC Secretary submits, within the planned target date for 30.99 ‘Vote’,  the final draft CEN/TS (FprCEN/TS) via the Submission Interface, in the relevant reference language version, to CCMC for processing in two electronic formats, an agreed revisable WORD file (use of the CEN simple template is obligatory) and a non-revisable PDF file together with separate figure files, if any. BSI, AFNOR and DIN are automatically notified thereof.

1.6 CCMC checks that all the documentation and electronic files have been supplied, and that the deliverable corresponds to the database records.

1.7 CCMC allocates a reference number and sends the edited electronic documents via E-Trans to the relevant National Standards Bodies (NSBs) in order to trigger the translation procedure of the remaining two official CEN language versions.

1.8 The relevant NSBs prepare the translations and return them via E-Trans to CCMC within the specified timescales (normally 8 weeks).
In the case of unavailable translations, the relevant NSBs will supply at least the translations of the title.

1.9 On receipt of the translations or immediately after the expiry of the time period, CCMC dispatches the FprCEN/TS in the available language versions to the CEN Members, the Partner Organizations, the Affiliates, the EC and EFTA Secretariat, the TC Chairperson and the TC Secretary. This is done via E-Trans, Projex-Online and (h)APIs on a weekly basis.
CCMC also ensures that a corresponding ballot is open on the E-balloting platform.

Late incoming translations to CCMC are circulated at the next available opportunity.

1.10 The CEN Members submit their vote and their comments, prepared using the Commenting Form on the E-Balloting platform within the prescribed 12-week period. The CEN Members are required to cast unconditional votes and to justify any negative vote. In exceptional cases, an extension of 4 weeks may be allowed. Such requests shall be sent to production@cencenelec.eu.

The E-balloting system automatically closes the vote once the deadline is reached. One business day after the deadline of the Formal Vote, CCMC establishes the voting report, compiles the comments and dispatches both the voting report and the comments via E-Trans, Projex-Online and (h)APIs to the CEN Members, the Partner Organizations, the Affiliates, the EC and EFTA Secretariat, the TB Chairperson and TB Secretary.

1.11 If the FprCEN/TS is approved, CCMC (in consultation with the TB Secretary) incorporates the editorial changes in the reference language version. The finalized text is sent by CCMC to the TB Secretary for a 2-week proofing period.

If, during the voting period, comments are received that request an alteration of the technical content of the (F)prCEN/TS, CCMC will not take these into account. CCMC will only implement purely editorial comments. No technical changes shall be made to the text following a positive approval procedure. The TB shall take into account any technical comments in a future revision of the text.
Exactly 4 weeks after a positive voting result has been circulated, the text is considered ratified (dor = date of ratification).

If the FprCEN/TS is not approved, the TC decides by taking a decision by simple majority on one of the following options:

• to redraft the FprCEN/TS (go back to 1.2);
• to process it as an alternative deliverable;
• to stop the work.

NOTE: For work items mandated, changing the type of deliverable and stopping the work requires approval by the BT.

1.12 CCMC dispatches the 'stable' and approved reference language version via E-Trans to AFNOR, BSI and DIN for translation, as appropriate.

1.13 The relevant NSBs prepare the translations and return them via E-Trans to CCMC within the specified timescales (normally 4 weeks).
In the case of unavailable translations, the relevant NSBs will supply at least the translations of the title.

1.14 On receipt of the translations or immediately after expiry of the time period, CCMC dispatches the CEN/TS in the available language versions to the CEN Members, the Partner Organizations, the Affiliates, the EC and EFTA Secretariat, the TC Chairperson and the TC Secretary. This is done via E-Trans, Projex-Online and (h)APIs on a weekly basis.

Late incoming translations to CCMC are circulated at the next available opportunity.

1.15 CEN Members announce the existence of the CEN/TS in the same way as for the EN.

1.16 CEN Members make the CEN/TS available.

1.17 The CEN/TS is not amended but revised as a new edition with a new date of edition. Corrigenda are possible.

1.18 The Technical Specification shall be reviewed at least every three years. 

The possible outcomes of the review are the following:

• convert into an EN.
• confirm for another three years;
• revise;
• withdraw.