Transport links have an important role to play if the freedom of movement of goods and people within the European Single Market is to be assured. The technical foundations of a Europe-wide network of highspeed trains such as the ICE and Thalys are currently being laid on the basis of EC Directive 96/48.

Much remains to be done to improve European standards in the area of rail transport. The occupational health and safety aspects of standards governing railways and tramways are deficient in many areas.

As a result of a KAN initiative, a report has been produced on standardization in the area governed by the Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC) which analyses the current state of standardization based upon the relevant documents and consultation of the parties involved.

European standard EN 12999 “Cranes – Loader cranes” contains safety requirements for the design, analysis and testing of loader cranes with hydraulic drives. After successfully passing the final vote with three abstentions (those of Germany, Portugal and Switzerland), the standard was ratified by CEN on 8 March 2001.

Community Directive (92/59/EEC) on General Product Safety has been in force at European level since 1992. It has been transposed in Germany by a number of acts, including the Product Safety Act and the Equipment Safety Act. The scope of the directive extends only to products used by private consumers. Its provisions apply only where specific provisions for the product in question do not exist in Single Market Directives such as the Machinery Directive.

The European conference “Standardization, testing and certification – a contribution to occupational health and safety” was held in Dresden on 11/12 October. The event was organized by the two French institutions Eurogip and INRS, the HVBG and KAN.