Twinning

This page gives guidance on how two CEN members may enter a twinning arrangement in the management of the Secretariat or the Chairpersonship of a CEN Technical Committee.

1 INTRODUCTION

The CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations do not address twinning arrangements. However, this concept (which exists in ISO) was considered by CEN/BT within the context of its discussions (in 2005/2006) on how to improve the participation of all CEN Members in the technical work of the (enlarged) CEN, in particular of the Members who have recently joined the CEN system.

CEN/BT agreed by Resolution BT 16/2006 on "Technical work in enlarged CEN – Proposal to introduce twinning into the CEN System" that:

  • "a CEN/TC may appoint one Vice-Chair. In addition to responsibilities of the role agreed with the officers and members of the CEN/TC, the Vice-Chair should have a special responsibility to encourage participation of countries in the work of the CEN/TC that are under-represented"; and that
  • "two CEN members may enter a twinning arrangement in the management of a Secretariat to a CEN/TC, subject to notification of the twinning agreement to CCMC".

It is to be noted that such twinning arrangements are not obligatory

2 TWINNING ARRANGEMENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SECRETARIAT OF A CEN TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

2.1  The possibility for a CEN Member that is inexperienced in the running of Secretariats to enter into a twinning arrangement with a CEN Member that holds the Secretariat of a CEN/TC, was introduced with the intention of enabling all CEN members to contribute to the management of the CEN work programme.

2.2 The two CEN members should notify CCMC (the CEN/BT Secretariat) that a twinning arrangement is in place, for the information of all CEN/BT members. The precise nature of the twinning arrangement is for the two CEN members concerned to agree among themselves. However an outline of the sharing of duties should be given by the two CEN members to the CEN/TC. Any financial arrangements would also be for the two members to decide. There is no obligation for the detail of such financial agreements and provisions to be communicated to CCMC or other CEN members.

2.3 Whatever the arrangements between the two CEN members, the CEN member that has been appointed by CEN/BT as CEN/TC Secretariat is considered as the sole responsible body to fulfil the obligations of a CEN/TC Secretariat as stipulated in the CEN rules.

2.4 If the CEN member that has been appointed by CEN/BT as CEN/TC Secretariat wishes to relinquish this Secretariat, the twinned partner has the first opportunity to accept full responsibility for the CEN/TC Secretariat, subject to further formal endorsement by CEN/BT. If the twinned partner declines, the usual reallocation procedure detailed in the Internal Regulations – Part 2 will be followed.

3 TWINNING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE POSITION OF VICE-CHAIR OF A CEN TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

3.1 Role of a CEN/TC Vice-Chair

In broad terms, a CEN/TC Vice-Chair acts as deputy of the CEN/TC Chair and supports him in all his duties. Moreover, he has a special responsibility to encourage participation in the work of the CEN/TC, of countries that are interested in the field of activities but under-represented in the work of the CEN/TC. His role is further defined in agreement with the officers and members of the CEN/TC and confirmed through the CEN/TC Decision that appoints him (see below).

3.2 Appointment of a CEN/TC Vice-Chair

The Vice-Chair of a CEN/TC is appointed by the CEN/TC on the nomination of the CEN/TC Chair and Secretariat for a period not exceeding six years. Successive extensions of not more than three years are possible. No more than one Vice-Chair shall hold office in a CEN/TC at any one time.
Considering his special responsibility (see Clause 2 above), the Vice-Chair should be appointed from a country interested in the field of activities but under-represented in the work of the CEN/TC.

The CEN/TC (re)appoints its Vice-Chair through a Delegated Decision, which refers to a CEN/TC document which defines his responsibilities and duties. The CEN/TC Secretary sends the CEN/TC Delegated Decision to dataservice@cencenelec.eu.

It has to be noted that there is no automatic appointment of Vice-Chair to Chairpersonship of the CEN/TC if it becomes vacant (although the Vice-Chair can be a candidate for the Chairpersonship).

2013-10-24

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