Technical standards must fulfil a number of functions. They represent generally acknowledged rules of technology, improve compatibility between different products and systems, and further understanding at national and international level within certain technical spheres.

Safety-related standardization in the non-harmonized domain remains significant under administrative law only within a narrow band between a large number of product-specific EC directives and the General Product Safety Directive. Within this band, the general requirements of the German Equipment Safety Act (GSG) apply in Germany. Owing to the particularly broad scope of, for example, European directives governing electrical appliances , machinery, or PPE, this segment was destined to be progressively consigned to history.

Harmonized standards represent an indispensable guide for manufacturers and market surveillance authorities. The presumption of conformity to which the application of suitable harmonized standards gives rise represents an essential element of the Single Market. In order for manufacturers and market surveillance authorities to be able to assume that the application of harmonized standards provides a certain legal security, certain conditions must be met.

At present, the standards organizations are discussing the European Commission's recommendation for mandatory inclusion of a table of correspondence in harmonized European standards. The individual sections of a standard would be listed in such a table with the corresponding essential reqirements of EC directives.

Ten new member states are expectet to be welcomed into the European Union on 1 May 2004. Romania and Bulgaria are to follow in 2007. Prior to accession, the national legislation of these countries must be brought into line eith current Community law. The PECA agreements reached between the candidate countries and the European Communities are a suitable instrument for sector-by-sector alignmend within the area of the free movement of goods.

As in the EU countries, the area of OSH in Poland is governed by both legislation and standards. Legislation in this area has a very long tradition in Poland, the first regulations dating back to the 1920s. At present, the right to safe and healthy working conditions is enshrined in the constitution. Many detailed requirements have been specified in a large number of acts and decrees.

The subject of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is increasingly being debated at EU level, and lately also within ISO, the International Organization for Standadization. The subject relates to the socio-political and ecological contributions made by companies. From the perpective of OH&S, KAN rejects standardization of this area.