Fundamental principles of Standardization
Standardization in Greece is based on the following fundamental principles:
1. Satisfaction of needs
Standardization documents shall meet the needs of relevant stakeholder categories, namely Industry and commerce, Government, Consumers, Labour, Academic and Research Bodies, Standards application ang NGOs.
2. Consensus
Standardization documents shall reflect the broadest possible agreement of views and the consensus of all interested parties on the respective issue, at national level
3. Objectivity
Standardization documents shall be prepared for the benefit of the entire Greek society. The provisions contained therein do not confer a comparative advantage on a product or service of any supplier.
4. Modern technology
Standardization documents shall take into account the scientific and technological development, and shall be applied, supplemented, modernized and revised in line with the conditions that are shaped each time in Greek reality.
5. Greek Language
The purely Hellenic standardization documents shall be drafted in Greek in a clear and homogeneous manner in terms of terminology, symbols and expressions.
6. Voluntary character
The development of standardization documents shall be based on the willingness of all interested parties to reach a voluntary agreement between them, for one or more stated purposes. This commitment is then extended to the implementation of the standards. The development of a standard is of little value if it is not implemented.
Standardization is one of ELOT’s main activities. This is accomplished through the development, publication and promotion of the implementation and use of Hellenic standards and standardization documents.
According to its founding law (Law 372/1976), the Hellenic Organization for Standardization is the only organization, at national level, for the approval, publication and distribution of the Hellenic Standards. Similar organizations exist in almost all countries of the world.
The standards and normative documents of ELOT may derive from:
• European Standards adopted as national. These standards are prepared by representatives /experts of the National Standardization Bodies of the European Union, through procedures supervised by European Standardization Organizations: the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). It should be noted that European Standards are adopted in one of the languages they have been prepared in (English, French or German). Official translation of the content of European Standards in Greek is made, whenever financial resources are available.
• International standards, adopted identically or with modifications. These standards are prepared by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Organizations in which ELOT participates.
• Development of purely national standards and standardization documents to meet the immediate needs of Greek national economy and in case that there are no corresponding European or International Standards.
Please note that the implementation of standards is voluntary, unless laws, regulations, national or European provisions make it mandatory.
Standardization workprogram 2024 (see attachment)
The standardization program concerns purely national standardization activities and in particular:
a) Development of national normative documents;
b) Revision of national normative documents;
c) Development of national annexes (NA) of european normative documents;
d) Adoption of international normative documents; and
e) Translation into Greek of european and international standard documents.
Information on the standardization program is updated every twelve (12) months.
