Standards and technical regulations (Dimension 7) in the Western Balkans and Turkey

Abstract

This chapter assesses the quality infrastructure systems and procedures required in the Western Balkans and Turkey to facilitate small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) access to the EU Single Market. It starts by outlining the assessment framework, then presents the analysis of Dimension 7's three sub-dimensions: 1) overall co-ordination and general measures, which assesses the strategic documents and institutional framework for quality infrastructure co-ordination; 2) harmonisation with the EU acquis, which analyses the capacities of quality infrastructure institutions as well as their alignment with international and European rules for technical regulations, standardisation, accreditation, metrology, conformity assessment and market surveillance; and 3) SME access to standards, which explores government initiatives to enhance and support access. Each sub-dimension section makes specific recommendations for increasing the capacity and efficiency of quality infrastructure systems in the Western Balkans and Turkey.