FantasticSearch

Criteria for self-regulation measures (referred to in Article 21) The following non-exhaustive list of criteria shall be used to assess self-regulation measures in accordance with Article 21: 1. Openness of participation Self-regulation measures must be open to the participation of any operators placing on the market a product covered by the self-regulation measure, including SMEs and third country operators, both in the preparatory and in the implementation phases. Economic operators intending to establish a self-regulation measure should make a public announcement of their intention to do so before the process of developing the measure is started.

2. Sustainability and added value Self-regulation measures must respond to the policy objectives of this Regulation and must be consistent with the economic and social dimensions of sustainable development. Self-regulation measures must have an integrated approach to the protection of the environment, interests of consumers, health, quality of life and economic interests.

3. Representativeness Industry and its related associations taking part in a self-regulation measure must represent a large majority of the relevant economic sector, in accordance with Article 21(3), first subparagraph, point (b). Care must be taken to ensure respect for Union competition law, in particular Article 101 TFEU regarding anti-competitive agreements.

4. Quantified and staged objectives The objectives defined by the signatories in their self-regulation measures must be set in clear, quantifiable and unambiguous terms, starting from a well-defined baseline. If the self-regulation measure covers a long time-span, interim targets must be included. It must be possible to monitor compliance with objectives and interim targets in an affordable and credible way using clear and reliable indicators.

5. Involvement of civil society With a view to ensuring transparency, self-regulation measures must be publicised, including online on a publicly and freely accessible website and via other electronic means of disseminating information. Stakeholders, including Member States, industry, environmental NGOs and consumers’ associations, shall be invited to comment on a self-regulation measure.

6. Monitoring and reporting An independent inspector must be selected and nominated in order to monitor compliance of signatories with the self-regulation measure. The self-regulation measure must empower the independent inspector to verify compliance with its requirements. The self-regulation measure must also lay down the procedure to select the independent inspector and the rules to ensure that the inspector has no conflict of interest and has the necessary skills for verifying compliance with its requirements. Every year, each signatory must report all the information and data necessary for the independent inspector to reliably verify the signatory's compliance with the self-regulation measure. The independent inspector must draw up a compliance report at the end of each one-year reporting period. Where a signatory does not comply with the requirements of the self-regulation measure, it must take corrective action. The independent inspector shall notify the other signatories participating in the self-regulation measure of a lack of compliance by a signatory and of the corrective action the signatory intends to take. The results of any market surveillance activity conducted by a market surveillance authority during which non-compliance with the self-regulation measures requirements has been identified shall be taken into account by the independent inspector, in particular in the compliance report, and corrective action shall be taken.

7. Cost-effectiveness of administering a self-regulation measure The cost of administering the self-regulation measure, in particular as regards monitoring, must not lead to a disproportionate administrative burden, as compared to its objectives and to other available policy instruments.