Die Unterstützung der nationalen und europäischen Normungsarbeit zur Entwicklung sicherer Produkte ist das zentrale Anliegen der KAN. Nach einer Phase der Konsolidierung der europäischen Rahmenbedingungen sind neben den klassischen technischen Normen in jüngster Zeit auch neue Tätigkeitsfelder insbesondere auf dem Gebiet der Dienstleistungen entstanden. Es steht zu erwarten, dass auf Grund der wirtschaftlichen Bedeutung des Dienstleistungssektors Normen in diesem Bereich an Bedeutung gewinnen werden.

A major trend in the world economy is the growth of the service sector, which according to the WTO already accounts for 60% of the gross world product. The international trade in services continues to lag this development, accounting for only 20% of total trade. In order to establish key conditions for international trade in services, the WTO therefore adopted the “General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)” in 1995. Special importance is attached in this agreement to global service standards.

As a consequence of European integration and increasing globalization of markets, the provision of services across international borders can be expected to increase. With the WTO-GATS Agreement, the World Trade Organization is pursuing the objective of facilitating free trade in services. Reference is made at several points in the agreement to “technical standards” and “international standards”. A KAN study is now to clarify the limits to which occupational health and safety aspects may be dealt with in service-sector standards.

At the beginning of 2003, the web site of the network of European OH&S experts active in standardization, testing, certification or applied research, www.euroshnet. org, will become available1. In addition to a public area providing information on EUROSHNET (European Occupational Safety and Health Network), the web site includes a password-protected area in which subjects relevant to occupational health and safety may be discussed. The purpose of the communications platform is to facilitate contact and the exchange of information between OH&S experts.

A chief function of KAN’s activities is to co-ordinate opinion among groups responsible for occupational health and safety, and to introduce this opinion as a unanimous position in DIN standardization work at national, European and international level.

EC Directive 2002/44/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration) was published on 6 July in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It is the first in a series of directives governing physical agents, and the sixteenth individual directive pursuant to the OH&S framework directive, 89/391/EEC.