CEN-CENELEC support gender-responsive standardization

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Many standards are not gender-responsive. Women however account for more than half of the European population and are represented in practically all professions and business sectors. In the case of personal protective equipment, for example, it is essential that a variety of fits be taken into account as early as in the standardization process in order for maximum protection to be ensured.

During the CEN-CENELEC webinar "Inclusive European Standardization: the case of Gender", speakers from differnet European standards bodies called upon men and women alike to get involved in the standards development process in order to ensure that standards meet the needs of ALL parties affected.

In May 2019, CEN-CENLEC and other institutions launched the UNECE Declaration for Gender Responsive Standards and Standards Development, which has been signed by 20 national standards bodies. The gender action plan created under this initiative sets the framework for implementation of the commitments deriving from this declaration. 

For more information see

Inclusive European Standardization: the case of Gender“:  Webinar recording on the CEN-CENELEC YouTube channel
The websinar PPT slides and FAQ will be available shortly on the CEN-CENELEC website