An ETA Guideline (ETAG) is a document drafted by and for the EOTA Approval Bodies as a result of a mandate from the European Commission and EFTA. Its basic aim is to establish how Approval Bodies should evaluate the specific characteristics/requirements of a product or family of products. According to the CPD Guidelines must comprise the following:
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a list of the relevant Interpretative Documents
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the specific requirements for the products within the meaning of the Essential Requirements
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the test procedures
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the methods of assessing and judging the results of the tests
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the procedures related to the Attestation of Conformity
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the period of validity of the approval
An ETAG is a binding document which requires the approval of EOTA, the consultation of the Standing Committee and the publication by Member States in their respective official language(s).
In order to ensure that ETAGs are as technically sound as possible, EOTA is strongly in favour of co-operation with other bodies, in particular with European industrial organisations. In Working Groups it is especially important that all interested parties who can contribute in a positive way have the possibility to participate. EOTA encourages therefore co-operation to take place on all levels and in the most suitable form.
Technical experts of relevant European industrial organisations can contribute directly as members of Working Groups, provided they are designated by these organisations on the basis of their technical experience in the subject concerned and in order to contribute in an impartial but positive way.