This meeting held all its promises.
It was well attended. 13 trade associations and 3 companies were represented. Among them new ones as ARTS from Romania and BHE from Germany. SDVI from France did not attend although they joined just on time for the assembly.
An extensive report was given on the activities of the past year namely:
- The questionnaire to prepare a database on the rules, regulations and licensing arrangements that operated in each member country.
- Eastern countries needs,
- Remote services and alarm verification,
- Services standards and our approach to CEN on competence certification.
- The state of relationship with the Commissioners in the context of the Services Directive.
My feeling is that Euralarm went in the right direction when it decided to create a Services section.
Expectations are very strong from all members, work is intense and Euralarm will not doubt see a large increase in its membership.
Moreover, the general quality level of services provided in our trade will increase together with an improvement of European exchanges as mutual companies capacities will be recognised through unique third party certifications. The European customer will be the overall winner with an ever-widened freedom of choices with well-defined qualitative offers.
It is no coincidence to see Certalarm on the starting blocks at the same time as the CEN initiative.
Valencia was the achievement of the Services section birth and the start of a long and rich process towards qualitative professionalism.
Marc Chabaud
Vicepresident Euralarm & Chairman of the Services Section