Source: OJ L 333, 27.12.2022, pp. 164–198

Article 16 Standards

Summary What does Article 16 of the CER directive say?

This is a brief, harmonisation-focused article that sits alongside the core obligations placed on critical entities under Chapter III.

Rather than imposing new requirements on critical entities directly, it instructs Member States to promote the use of European and international standards and technical specifications as a means of achieving consistent implementation of the Directive's security and resilience measures across the Union.

Notably, Member States must do this in a technology-neutral way, neither mandating nor favouring any particular type of technology.

Important points:

Member States are required to encourage the use of European and international standards and technical specifications relevant to security and resilience measures for critical entities.
This encouragement must be technology-neutral, meaning Member States cannot impose or discriminate in favour of a specific technology type.
The article supports convergent implementation across the Union, complementing the resilience obligations placed on critical entities under Article 13.

Springlex's summary of the article, a reading aid, not a substitute for the legal text.

In order to promote the convergent implementation of this Directive, Member States shall, where useful and without imposing or discriminating in favour of the use of a particular type of technology, encourage the use of European and international standards and technical specifications relevant to the security and resilience measures applicable to critical entities.

Table of contents

Springlex and this text is meant purely as a documentation tool and has no legal effect. No liability is assumed for its content. The authentic version of this act is the one published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Relevant recitals