CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026

• Abstract:

  This Guide defines the role and assists PDs and their Alternates in fulfilling their responsibilities towards the CEN and/or CENELEC Technical Boards (BT).

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 29-Sep-2026
• Technical Committee: CEN/CLC/Guides - Group for CEN-CENELEC Guides
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 30-Sep-2026
• Completion Date: 30-Sep-2026
• Ref Project: SIST-V CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026 - Role of Permanent (and Alternate) Delegates to CEN and CENELEC Technical Boards

CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026 is a CEN and CENELEC guide on the role of Permanent Delegates (PDs) and their Alternates to the Technical Boards (BTs). It explains who these delegates are, what criteria and skills are expected for appointment, and how they work with National Standardization Bodies (NSBs) and National Committees (NCs). The guide is written for people selecting, appointing, or serving in these roles, so they can understand the governance work, meeting participation, and reporting responsibilities.

What does CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026 specify?

CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026 defines the role of Permanent Delegates and Alternates for CEN and/or CENELEC Technical Boards and supports them in carrying out their responsibilities. The document is organized into an introduction, six clauses, and Annex 1.

Clause 1 gives the scope. Clauses 2 to 5 cover appointment criteria, the role itself, meeting participation, and responsibilities. Clause 6 lists the reference material used with the guide. Annex 1 provides a candidate pre-assessment form for NSBs and NCs.

What are the key requirements of CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026?

Appointment and eligibility

Clause 2 says Permanent Delegates to BTs, and their Alternates if any, are NSB and NC representatives appointed with a focus on long-term engagement and continuity. The guide sets out expected eligibility criteria such as interest in the role, knowledge of the European Standardization System, CEN/CENELEC and ISO/IEC rules and processes, experience in technical governance, and commitment to the CEN and CENELEC mission and values. In practice, NSBs and NCs should use these criteria to check whether a candidate can handle both the technical and governance side of the job.

Clause 2 also lists skills such as leadership, strategic thinking, clear communication, pragmatic problem-solving, broad technical understanding, and the ability to identify improvements in rules and processes. The same criteria and skills are recommended for Alternates. Annex 1 provides a pre-assessment form to help with selection.

After appointment, the NSB or NC shall give the delegate adequate time to perform the role, and the appointed delegate is expected to follow the Code of Conduct for Permanent (and Alternate) Delegates to the Technical Board.

Meetings and representation

Clause 4 states that, by default, the PD attends BT meetings, while the Alternate may attend in the PD’s place when the PD is absent. It also limits attendance to one delegate per NSB and one delegate per NC at BT and Technical Governance Group (TGG) meetings, with an exceptional case allowing two delegates only by agreement with the relevant Chair or Chairs. In practice, this means national organizations need a clear internal arrangement for attendance and substitution.

Clause 3 explains that PDs represent national positions while also helping maintain two-way communication between Members and the BTs. They may act independently when needed in the best interest of the CEN and/or CENELEC community.

Responsibilities in BT work

Clause 5 says PDs and their Alternates are expected to attend and contribute to BT meetings, participate in TGGs if interested, express the national position in meetings and by correspondence, and work closely with national counterparts so that CEN and CENELEC positions stay aligned where relevant. They also take decisions, including voting, with the national position in mind while aiming for European consensus.

The same clause assigns responsibilities linked to broader governance and transformation work, such as keeping contact with representatives in General Assemblies and Boards, supporting CEN and/or CENELEC transformation initiatives, promoting the CEN and CENELEC Strategy and its implementation plan, supporting BT rules and processes, following EC/EFTA Standardization Requests, and sharing national best practices.

Clause 5 also names possible additional tasks, such as representing a BT in groups affected by digital or legal matters, joining project teams, leading or contributing to subgroups, sharing knowledge from international work, and, for CENELEC, following the Vilamoura procedure.

What terms does CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026 define?

• Permanent Delegate (PD) - A PD is a national representative appointed to a BT for long-term engagement and active participation in technical governance.
• Alternate - An Alternate is the person who may attend on behalf of the PD and is also expected to support the same role requirements.
• Technical Board (BT) - A BT is the CEN or CENELEC body where technical governance and related decisions are handled.
• National Standardization Body (NSB) - An NSB is the national body that appoints delegates and represents national standardization interests.
• National Committee (NC) - An NC is the national CENELEC counterpart that appoints delegates and takes part in the same governance structure.
• Technical Governance Group (TGG) - A TGG is a group where delegates may participate when dealing with technical governance topics.
• General Assemblies (AGs) - AGs are other governing bodies with which delegates are expected to keep a close link.

Who uses CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026?

CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026 is used by PDs and Alternates serving on CEN and CENELEC BTs, and by NSBs and NCs that select and appoint them. It is also relevant to BT Chairs, TGG participants, and BT Secretariats who manage meetings, continuity, and communication.

In practice, the guide helps people who need to appoint the right delegate, prepare them for the role, or understand how they should contribute to national positions, consensus building, and BT decision-making.

What changed in CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026 from the previous edition?

CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026 supersedes CLC Guide 33:2015.

Which standards are used with CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026?

Clause 6 points to these supporting documents and reference materials:

• The Statutes of CEN - provide the organizational framework for CEN.
• The Statutes of CENELEC - provide the organizational framework for CENELEC.
• CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations - Part 1 "Organization and Structure" - set the organizational structure.
• CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations - Part 2 "Common Rules for Standardization Work" (IR2) - set shared working rules.
• CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations - Part 3 "Principles and rules for the structure and drafting of CEN and CENELEC documents" (IR3) - guide document drafting and structure.
• More details on the functioning of the BTs (Technical structures) - explain how BTs work in practice.
• Code of Conduct for Permanent (and Alternate) Delegates to CEN and CENELEC Technical Boards - sets expected conduct for appointed delegates.
• The CEN and CENELEC Strategy - sets the strategic direction delegates are asked to support.

What does the CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026 document contain?

CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026 contains an introduction, six clauses, and Annex 1. The clauses cover scope, appointment criteria and skills, the role of delegates, meeting participation, responsibilities, and reference material. Annex 1 gives a candidate pre-assessment form for NSBs and NCs to record how a nominee matches the listed criteria and skills.

The document is practical rather than product-focused. It is meant to support appointment, onboarding, meeting attendance, voting practice, coordination between national and European levels, and the handling of technical governance tasks.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2026
Vloga stalnih (in nadomestnih) delegatov v tehničnih odborih organizacij CEN in
CENELEC
Role of Permanent (and Alternate) Delegates to CEN and CENELEC Technical Boards
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/CLC Guide 40:2026
ICS:
01.120 Standardizacija. Splošna Standardization. General
pravila rules
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN-CENELEC
GUIDE
Role of Permanent (and
Alternate) Delegates to CEN
and CENELEC Technical
Boards
Edition 1, 2026-09
(Supersedes CLC Guide 33:2015)

CEN and CENELEC decided to adopt CEN-CENELEC Guide 40 through CEN/BT 001/2026 and
CLC/BT D182/001 and CEN/AG C27/2026 and CENELEC/AG 68/C21 respectively.

European Committee for Standardization

Tel: [phone]
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization

Tel: [phone]
Rue de la Science, 23 B – 1040 Brussels – Belgium

www.cencenelec.eu
CEN-CENELEC Guide 40:2026 (E)
Contents Page
Introduction . 4
1. Scope . 5
2. Criteria and skills for appointing Permanent (and Alternate) Delegates to the Technical Boards . 5
3. The Role of Permanent (and Alternate) Delegates . 5
4. Participation in meetings . 6
5. Responsibilities of the Permanent (and Alternate) Delegates . 6
6. The Technical Board in the reference material . 7
Annex 1 – Permanent (and Alternate) Delegates – Candidate Pre-assessment Form . 8

CEN-CENELEC Guide 40:2026 (E)
Introduction
This Guide serves as an essential resource for Permanent Delegates (PDs) (and their Alternates)
to the CEN and CENELEC Technical Boards (BTs), in particular for those newly appointed as part
of their onboarding process.
In addition, this Guide may also support National Standardization Bodies (NSBs) and National
Committees (NCs) when selecting and appointing candidates for fulfilling the role of Permanent
(and Alternate) Delegate to BT.
The Technical Boards Secretariat ([e-mail]) is available to assist and support PDs (and
their Alternates) whenever needed.

CEN-CENELEC Guide 40:2026 (E)
1. Scope
This Guide defines the role and assists PDs and their Alternates in fulfilling their responsibilities
towards the CEN and/or CENELEC Technical Boards (BT).

2. Criteria and skills for appointing Permanent (and Alternate) Delegates to the
Technical Boards
Permanent Delegates (PDs) to BT and their Alternates (if any) are NSB and NC representatives
appointed by their NSB/NC with an emphasis on long-term engagement to ensure continuity and
sustained involvement in the work of the BTs.
A candidate for the role of Permanent Delegate to BT should fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
1. personal and motivated expression of interest;
2. good knowledge of the functioning of the European Standardization System;
3. in-depth knowledge of CEN and/or CENELEC technical rules and processes;
4. knowledge of ISO and/or IEC technical rules and processes;
5. proven experience in technical governance;
6. significant experience in contributing to standardization activities;
7. strong commitment to CEN and CENELEC mission and values.
In addition, the candidate should possess the following skills:
8. leadership and strategic mindset;
9. quick understanding and description of complex situations in a clear manner;
10. pragmatic and constructive approach to problem-solving;
11. quick grasp and understanding of a broad array of technical subjects;
12. talent for identifying improvement opportunities and streamlining of rules and
processes.
The above criteria and skills are also recommended for BT Alternates.
A pre-assessment form designed to support the NSBs/NCs in the selection of their Candidate is
available in Annex 1.
Following the appointment of the PD (or Alternate), the NSB/NC shall ensure that the candidate is
allocated adequate time to fulfill their responsibilities as PD.
Once PDs are officially appointed, they are expected to adhere to the ‘Code of Conduct for
Permanent (and Alternate) Delegates to the Technical Board’.
If a PD (or Alternate) leaves without providing sufficient notice for the NSB/NC to select a new
candidate, the NSB/NC retains the right to appoint a temporary representative to ensure
continued participation in BTs and voting on BT ballots until the new Permanent (or Alternate)
Delegate is appointed.
3. The Role of Permanent (and Alternate) Delegates
Permanent Delegates (PDs) are key representatives of CEN and CENELEC Members, acting as
Delegates of National Standards Bodies
...