CENELEC concentrates most of its work on 2 major deliverables: The European Standard (EN) and the Harmonization Document (HD). These two documents are referred to commonly as "standards" and must be implemented in all CENELEC member countries, who must also withdraw any conflicting standards

There are a few differences in the implementation process of EN's and HD's. Basically, the EN must be transposed as it is, not adding or deleting anything. The process for HD's is a bit more flexible. It is the technical content that must be transposed, no matter the wording or how many documents are made of it.

In addition to these two major deliverables, CENELEC also produces and approves documents with a different objective and target. Below, you will find a brief explanation to each CENELEC deliverable:

EN - European Standard

It is a normative document available, in principle, in the three official languages of CENELEC (English, French and German) that cannot be in conflict with any other CENELEC standard. EN's are the most important deliverable published by CENELEC. Its development is governed by the principles of consensus, openness and transparency, a national commitment to implement it in each and every one of the countries member of CENELEC, its technical coherence regarding both national and European levels. Before its implementation, the EN must follow the following steps:  Drafting by a CENELEC Technical Committee or Working Group, Inquiry at national level, a formal vote followed by a standstill at national level and the final approval by the Technical Board before its implementation in all member countries.  

HD - Harmonization Document

Same characteristics as the EN except for the fact that there is no obligation to publish an identical national standard at national level (may be done in different documents/parts), taking into account that the technical content of the HD must be transposed in an equal manner everywhere.

TS - Technical Specification

A TS is a normative document produced and approved by a Technical Committee (not by CENELEC as such). Several of the compulsory requirements needed to have a standard do not apply to Technical Specifications: there is no standstill, no public enquiry, the vote does not follow the same rules as in the CENELEC Technical Board (where it is weighted). A TS must only be produced in one of the official languages and its maximum lifetime is reduced to two or three years.

Technical Specifications are explained in terms of supporting the European Market and act as a guidance method towards evolving technologies and experimental circumstances that would not gather enough consensus as to publishing an EN.

A TS may not be in conflict with any other CENELEC standard. If a conflicting standard (EN) is published in the meantime, then the TS must be withdrawn.

TR - Technical Report

A Technical Report is an informative document on the technical content of standardization work. Only required in one of the 3 official languages, a TR is approved by the Technical Board or by a Technical Committee by simple majority. No lifetime limit applies.

G - Guides

CENELEC Guides are informative documents related to the "internal system". They may specify information about standardization principles and guidance to standards writers. Guides must be approved at General Assembly or Technical Board level. No lifetime limit applies.

CWA - CENELEC Workshop Agreement

As indicated by their name, CWA's are an agreement developed and approved by a Workshop through consensus reached among identified individuals and organizations. They must be published at least in one of the official languages. Revision is possible. More information on CENELEC Workshops and how to participate in them may be found here.