§ Mr. CashTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what steps are being taken to encourage British companies to bring their standards up to the level of such European standards as are now required by law;
(2) what steps are being taken to encourage British companies to bring their standards up to the level of such European standards as may in future be required by law.
§ Mr. Maude[holding answer 31 October 1988]: The information my Department provides for industry about the single market stresses the increasingly important role of standards and will continue to do so.
§ Mr. CashTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the consequence for British industries in relation to any given product to be made, sold or distributed within the European Community if(a) the British Standard does not conform to the EEC standard required by law, (b) there is no British Standard which conforms to EEC standards required by law and (c) the British Standard is not adopted as being consistent with the EEC standard required by law having been rejected by majority vote.
§ Mr. Maude[holding answer 31 October 1988]: European Community standards are made by the 571W European standards bodies, CEN and CENELEC. The British Standards Institute is the United Kingdom member. While every effort is made to achieve unanimity, the British Standards Institute and the other members have agreed to abide by weighted majority voting. Once agreed, European standards are given the status of British Standards by publication of an identical text. Any conflicting existing British Standards must be withdrawn.