Events

Successfully completed project "EU for Serbia - support for safer products"

The project "EU for Serbia - support for safer products", during which numerous activities were carried out that can help Serbia to comply with EU standards, was successfully completed.

"The project included activities: support for harmonization within the Negotiating Chapter (construction products, explosives and pyrotechnic products intended for civilian use, personal protective equipment and motor vehicles), strengthening the capacity of infrastructure quality institutions (Accreditation Body of Serbia, Institute for Standardization of Serbia, Directorate for measures and precious metals) and conformity assessment bodies. In addition, the project supported the authorities responsible for market surveillance, with a campaign to raise awareness among consumers and the economy about the importance of technical legislation," said Miodrag Dugandžija, Acting Assistant Minister of Economy.

Dugandžija added that the implemented project activities contributed significantly in terms of harmonization of regulations and improvement of knowledge in the field of quality infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia, all in order to progress in the negotiation process within the first negotiation chapter for EU accession.

"This project supported the approach of Serbia to the internal market of the European Union, in terms of legislation and in terms of product safety and consumer standards. We help Serbian institutions and companies to meet the high health, safety and environmental requirements for placing products on the market, for the benefit of consumers and the safety of children, including improving the safety of children's playgrounds", said Andrea Hochhuber, Head of the Department for European Integration and Economic Affairs in the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia.

 During the duration of the project, several communication campaigns were implemented for: pyrotechnics, personal protective equipment, the importance of standardization and participation in standardization, safe children's playgrounds and sector promotion of the Ministry of Economy.

"The EU project for Serbia - support for safer products confirmed the strong commitment of the Serbian Quality Infrastructure institutions to safety and competitiveness in the country, in the Balkans and in the EU. Quality infrastructure serves the interests of Serbia, citizens and companies better than ever before by applying the best available European practices", said Francisco Werdera, project leader.

When national product regulations are harmonized with European Union legislation, equal treatment, increased competitiveness, lower prices and greater and wider choice for consumers are ensured. This ensures an equal level of protection of public health, consumers and the environment in the internal European market.

The European Union provides continuous support to Serbia in removing technical barriers to trade and the free movement of goods. The process of harmonization with EU regulations and standards was achieved, among other things, through technical support to institutions through several projects whose value is more than ten million euros.