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A CEN-CENELEC task group, “Future-proof standardization process and deliverables”, has developed a new standardisation product: the European Agile Specification (EAS). In the future, the type of document forming the final outcome of standards development work could be left open at the launch of the project. In this scenario, following production of the draft, the TC votes on whether to publish it as an EAS or proceed with development of a European standard in accordance with the established procedure. It is also possible for the document to be referred back to the working group, which would then decide whether to update the document or discontinue the project.
CEN/CENELEC members are not obliged to incorporate EASs into their respective national bodies of standards and withdraw conflicting national standards as is case with European standards. However, EASs must not conflict with existing European standards. A minimum requirement is for them to be available in English.
Selected TCs are to test the new EAS format in a pilot phase lasting until October 2026. The procedure will be submitted to the European Commission in the near future. Some issues must still be resolved: these include whether the format will be adopted, and whether EASs could be used by the Commission as a possible alternative to ENs for listing in the Official Journal and giving rise to the presumption of conformity. KAN is critical of this development and plans to submit a position statement to this effect to the standards organisations and the European Commission.