M/370 - Business support devices
Standardisation mandate for CEN and CENELEC for the drafting of a normative document on the quality of business support services
Mandate M/370 authorizes CEN and CENELEC to develop a normative standard focusing on the quality of business support services. The mandate aims to establish common criteria and guidelines to ensure consistent service quality across the sector. This standardisation effort supports improved business operations and service delivery by promoting harmonized practices within the European market. The decision to approve this mandate was recorded under resolution CEN/BT C056/2005.
Purpose
The mandate M/370 requests the European standardisation organisations CEN and CENELEC to develop a normative document concerning the quality of business support services. The goal is to establish common standards that enhance the quality and reliability of services supporting business activities.
Standardisation request
CEN and CENELEC are asked to draft a normative document focusing on the quality criteria for business support devices and services. This includes defining requirements and establishing standards that can be referenced to ensure consistent service quality across the EU.
Expected deliverables
- A normative document or standard detailing quality requirements for business support services.
- Clear, harmonised criteria that can be used by service providers and businesses to evaluate and improve service quality.
- Documentation suitable for wide adoption and implementation within member states.
Context
This mandate was resolved under CEN/BT C056/2005 and represents an effort to enhance business operations by standardising support services at the European level. Standardisation in this area aims to build trust and efficiency in business support, fostering a competitive and coherent internal market. The focus on business support services reflects the EU’s commitment to enabling smoother business functioning and economic growth through quality assurance mechanisms.
This mandate covers the standardisation of quality criteria for business support services provided by business support devices. It aims to develop normative documents ensuring consistent quality standards in services that assist businesses, focusing on the service sector related to business support.
General Information
This Technical Specification establishes the general elements of a business support service of appropriate quality. The service should be tailored to the expectations of enterprises.
This Technical Specification specifies requirements on the business support service providers, as well as guidelines for enterprises, including self-employed persons. It focuses on the process of service provision rather than the nature or content of the service. It is not concerned with the internal organisation of either service providers or enterprises.
This Technical Specification can serve as a common reference for both enterprises and support service providers.
On the one hand, for service providers, it is intended to be:
a reference tool for how to structure the services provided;
a guideline for providing a service corresponding to actual needs and expectations;
a guideline for improving the quality of the service.
It clarifies the type of information exchanged between service provider and service receiver, i.e. the enterprise.
On the other hand, it is intended to help the managers to detect and specify the needs of their enterprises and to get a suitable service by:
expressing the needs of the enterprise;
interacting with the service provider;
choosing or seeking guidance on a suitable service provider;
evaluating the service received in line with documented requirements and expectations.
This Technical Specification also contains some more detailed advice on drawing up contracts and placing orders. It is intended to be a practical tool for enterprises to choose and evaluate their support service providers.
This Technical Specification concerns all types of business support services, irrespective of the domain in question (commercial, financial, training, IT, legal, marketing, organisational, technical, general assistance, etc.), with the exception of facilities management described in EN 15221 1 and EN 15221 2 (see note).
- Technical specification34 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This Technical Specification establishes the general elements of a business support service of appropriate quality. The service should be tailored to the expectations of enterprises.
This Technical Specification specifies requirements on the business support service providers, as well as guidelines for enterprises, including self-employed persons. It focuses on the process of service provision rather than the nature or content of the service. It is not concerned with the internal organisation of either service providers or enterprises.
This Technical Specification can serve as a common reference for both enterprises and support service providers.
On the one hand, for service providers, it is intended to be:
a reference tool for how to structure the services provided;
a guideline for providing a service corresponding to actual needs and expectations;
a guideline for improving the quality of the service.
It clarifies the type of information exchanged between service provider and service receiver, i.e. the enterprise.
On the other hand, it is intended to help the managers to detect and specify the needs of their enterprises and to get a suitable service by:
expressing the needs of the enterprise;
interacting with the service provider;
choosing or seeking guidance on a suitable service provider;
evaluating the service received in line with documented requirements and expectations.
This Technical Specification also contains some more detailed advice on drawing up contracts and placing orders. It is intended to be a practical tool for enterprises to choose and evaluate their support service providers.
This Technical Specification concerns all types of business support services, irrespective of the domain in question (commercial, financial, training, IT, legal, marketing, organisational, technical, general assistance, etc.), with the exception of facilities management described in EN 15221 1 and EN 15221 2 (see note).
- Technical specification34 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.
M/370 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "Standardisation mandate for CEN and CENELEC for the drafting of a normative document on the quality of business support services". Standardisation mandate for CEN and CENELEC for the drafting of a normative document on the quality of business support services There are 2 standards developed under this mandate.
Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.