ANEC 21: celebrating 21 successful years of making a difference for consumers

15 June 2016
by anec -- last modified 15 June 2016

Since its creation in 1995, ANEC has represented consumers' interests in standardisation, complementing the contributions of business, in order to ensure standards and related legislation protect European consumers and their welfare.

"There is always room for improvement" said ANEC President Arnold Pindar, ahead of the celebration to mark ANEC's 21st anniversary, "but we have achieved much in many sectors - such as product and traffic safety, services, the digital arena, accessibility and sustainability".

"I must thank the ANEC members and volunteer experts, as well as the Secretariat team here in Brussels, for the detailed and demanding work they do, and for the many achievements ANEC can claim. It is their collective voice that allows ANEC to speak with authority in standards committees and elsewhere, and to support the national delegation principle by providing the consumer view where one might not otherwise exist", added Mr Pindar. "I should also thank the European Commission and the EFTA Secretariat for their generous and continual financial support over the years, without which ANEC could not be as strong and influential as it is."

ANEC Secretary General, Stephen Russell, reflected, "As we move further into our third decade, we cannot be complacent and must take stock and consider how ANEC can become even more efficient and effective. ANEC has come of age. As a mature organisation, with care and commitment, it will continue to provide a unique voice for European consumers in standardisation, and linked legislation and policies".

ANEC is the European consumer voice in standardisation, defending consumer interests in the processes of technical standardisation and conformity assessment, as well as related legislation and public policies.

ANEC, the European association for the coordination of consumer representation in standardisation