he European Federation of Funeral
Services
(EFFS)
aims
to
provide
knowledge, tools and instruments for
their members in 29 countries across
Europe and worldwide, in order to assist
in implementing and upholding the
highest possible quality of services in the
funeral profession.
Almost 20 years ago, in the absence of common
European legislation for services in the funeral
sector, it became very apparent that a standard of
services was necessary and for that purpose, the
first European Norm (EN15017) was published in
2005. Several years later, in line with the changing
landscape in the funeral sector, it again became
quite apparent that an update was imminent
and following a three-year process, the current
EN15017 was published in 2019.
Today, many funeral professionals throughout
Europe voluntarily perform their services according
to the guidelines and standards set forth in the
EN15017. At the same time, continuing to increase
awareness of the EN15017 throughout Europe is
of the utmost importance to uphold the quality of
services provided in our sector.
The establishment of a European Norm (EN)
involves an extremely structured process overseen
by European standardization organizations, in the
case of the EN15017, by the European Committee
for Standardization (CEN) located in Brussels,
Belgium.
As a first step, a cooperation between the European
Federation of Funeral Services (EFFS), the Austrian
Standards Institute (ASI) and the European
Committee for Standardization (CEN) was put in
writing, immediately followed by the Technical
Committee Formation (see 4. below). The TC 448,
chaired by Anke Teraa, Executive Director of the
EFFS, comprised representatives from all across
Europe, i.e. 23 members from 12 countries. Once
the European Technical Committee was formed,
so-called national mirror committees were put
in place in all involved countries and all parties
worked hand-in-hand throughout each step of the
process.
How is a European Norm established? Here’s the
process.
1. Identification of Need: The process typically
begins with the identification of a need for a
new standard or the revision of an existing
one. This need can arise from technological
developments,
changes
in
regulations,
industry requirements, or requests from
stakeholders.
2. Proposal and Initiation: The proposal for a
new standard or revision is submitted to the
relevant standardization organization (CEN).
This proposal can come from various sources,
including
industry
associations,
national
standards bodies, regulatory authorities, and
other stakeholders.
3. Preparation of Work Programme: Once the
proposal is accepted, the standardization
organization develops a work programme
EUROPEAN
NORM 15017
A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR
PROVIDING FUNERAL SERVICES
WITH PROFESSIONALISM,
DIGNITY AND RESPECT
By Anke Teraa, Executive Director of European
Federation of Funeral Services (EFFS)
10
No. 105 – SPRING 2024 | THANOS MAGAZINE
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