Global Standards and EU Law

This book examines the interplay between global standards and the EU legal system, examining how the process of incorporating technical standards set at international level poses challenges for principles of good governance, such as accountability, participatory openness and transparency. It contributes to the ongoing debate concerning the democratic credentials of decision-making in Europe by focusing on the specific juncture where globally produced standards are used by the EU institutions for EU regulatory purposes.

Renowned experts delve into the process of incorporation of global standards into salient EU policy areas including agriculture, environment, finance, telecommunications and transport. They shed light on relevant case law and EU legislation, providing unique reflections on the interactions between global and EU governance. Chapters explore the membership and procedural rules of global standard-setting bodies and discuss the patterns of incorporation of standards produced by diverse global regulators. They also present critical insights into horizontal issues, focussing on the role of agencies as in-betweeners, the role of the Court of Justice of the EU, and the bottom-up approach to standardisation via EU member states.



Global Standards and EU Law is designed for students and academics in European law and governance. The focus on global standards makes this an essential read for policymakers and practitioners in EU and US administrative law.