This page specifies the actions required for the editing of a final draft European Standard (FprEN), the launch of the Formal Vote thereon and the communication of the results of the latter.

1 PROCESS

1.1 Taking into account the target date for the dispatch of the FprEN to Formal Vote (stage code 45.99) as set in the initial or adjusted WI plan (see Flexible standards development process) the Technical Body (TB) decides to send the FprEN to the Formal Vote.

1.2 The WG Convenor together with the Editing Committee (if any) finalizes the FprEN in accordance with the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations - Part3. The enquiry version, edited by CCMC, shall be used as basis.

1.3 Once the Technical Body has approved the finalized FprEN received from the WG Convenor, in accordance with the target date for the dispatch of the Final draft to FV (stage code 45.99), the Technical Body Secretary submits the FprEN to CCMC, via the Submission Interface, for processing in two electronic formats, an agreed revisable WORD file and a non-revisable PDF file, together with separate figure files, if any. AFNOR-CEF, BSI and DKE are automatically notified thereof.

A close and continuous monitoring of the target dates of the initial/adjusted plan is possible through Projex-Online.

1.4 While delivering before the planned target date is always possible (and desirable), late delivery is possible with a delay of maximum 4 weeks. If the delay exceeds 4 weeks, the WI will be cancelled.

NOTE: within the 4 weeks of delay, the TB Secretary can still request to CCMC the 39-week tolerance, if not already taken.

1.5 CCMC carries out the relevant administrative tasks and edits the FprEN as received from the Technical Body in line with the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations-Part 3 within 2 weeks.

1.6 Once the editing is finalized, CCMC sends the electronic documents, via E-Trans, to the relevant National Committees (NC) in order to trigger the translation. The relevant NCs prepare the translations and return them via E-Trans to CCMC within 5 weeks. CCMC then dispatches the FprEN to the CENELEC National Committees, the Partner Organizations, the Affiliates, the EC and EFTA Secretariat, the TB Chair and Secretary. This is done on a weekly basis through an electronic platform.

1.7 In case of draft harmonized standards, CCMC dispatches the edited FprEN prior to the start of the Formal Vote, via the HAS platform to the HAS Contractor for assessment and via E-Trans to the relevant National Committees (NC) for translation. The HAS Contractor provides the results of the assessment via the HAS platform within 5 weeks. For more information, including the potential outcomes of the HAS Contractor assessment, see 'European Standards for citation in the Official Journal'.

1.8 The CENELEC Members submit their vote and their comments, prepared using the Commenting Form, on the CENELEC voting system within the prescribed 8-week period. The CENELEC Members are required to cast unconditional votes and to justify any negative vote.

In case of positive vote or abstention the justification is optional. 

No extensions to the voting period are allowed.

In addition, the CENELEC Members confirm, or comment on, the proposed date of announcement (doa), date of publication (dop) and date of withdrawal (dow). Any disagreement concerning the proposed doa, dop or dow is recorded by the CENELEC Members in the 'Commenting Form'.

1.9 During Formal Vote, the Societal Stakeholder Organizations (SSO) that are referred to as Annex III organizations in EU Regulation 1025/2012, amended by EU Regulation 2022/480, and that signed a partnership agreement with CEN or CENELEC have the right to submit an Opinion on the draft standards.
The SSO Secretariat fills in the Opinion template and sends it to the CENELEC Technical Board Secretariat (bt@cencenelec.eu) for handling following the agreed mechanism.

1.10 The electronic voting system automatically closes the vote once the deadline is reached. One day after the deadline of the Formal Vote, CCMC establishes the voting report, compiles the comments and dispatches both the voting report and the comments to the CENELEC National Committees, the Partner Organizations, the Affiliates, the EC and EFTA Secretariat, the TB Chair and Secretary.

If the result of the vote is positive, see process ‘Finalization and implementation of European Standards’

However, if the vote is negative, the Technical Body may recommend what further action is to be taken. The Technical Board takes the final decision.

1.11 In order to avoid deficient standards being published, in exceptional cases and with a justified request, BT can approve the integration of technical changes in the text after vote and before publication (BT decision D149/017).  In practice, the Permanent Delegate sends a letter, detailing the justification for this exceptional request (risk for deficient standard), with in Annex, the proposed visible revision to the voted text.