The European Committee for Standardization (Comité Européen de Normalisation or CEN) works to remove trade barriers for European industry and provide a platform for the development of European standards and technical specifications. It is the only recognized European organization according to Directive 98/34/EC for the planning, drafting and adoption of European standards in all areas of economic activity with the exception of electrotechnology (CENELEC) and telecommunication (ETSI).