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SMEs and European standardisation policy

Explore the role of SMEs in European standardisation and the ongoing efforts to support their participation and utilize standards. Learn about the benefits, challenges, and Commission actions to promote SME involvement.

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SMEs and European standardisation policy

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  1. SMEs and European standardisation policy Richard Collin 6th May 2009

  2. European standardisation • A market instrument for quality, interoperability, safety, etc: standards are made for and by industry and the other interested stakeholders • An instrument to support public policy

  3. European standardisation in support of public policy • Support to legislation: • Technical harmonisation of products – New Approach directives • Single European Sky • Eco-design and environmental legislation • Support to specific policies: • ICT, accessibility, defence, services…

  4. The legal basis • Directive 98/34/EC laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations and of rules on information society services (as amended) • Decision No 1673/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 on the financing of European standardisation

  5. Framework • Recognition of 3 European Standardisation Organisations: CEN, CENELEC and ETSI • The Commission may: • Issue standardisation requests (‘mandates’) to the ESOs • Give financial support to European standardisation

  6. Principles of standardisation • From the WTO TBT agreement • Principles include: transparency, relevance, consensus and impartiality • One key element is the openness to all interested parties: industry including SMEs, public authorities, environmental and consumer interests, test houses etc

  7. European SME policy • 1st European SME week! • SMEs recognised as key part of European economy • Think small first: consideration of SMEs in policy-making

  8. SMEs and European standardisation • SMEs have difficulties being involved in, and making best use of the results of, European standardisation. Why? • Resource constraints: time and cost of participation • Difficulties in knowing which standards to apply • Problems of application including complexity of standards • Cost of standards

  9. Ongoing Commission actions to promote SME participation in European standardisation - financial • Support to the platform of European standardisation (ESOs) • Translation of standards • Support of NORMAPME

  10. SMEs in European standardisation: in the spotlight (1) • Commission Communication of March 2008: ‘Towards an increased contribution from standardisation to innovation in Europe’ • Commission Communication of June 2008: A ‘Small Business Act’ for Europe • Council Conclusions of September 2008 on standardisation and innovation

  11. SMEs in European standardisation: in the spotlight(2) • Evaluation of Commission financing for the support of SMEs in European standardisation • Commission study on access to standards

  12. SMEs in European standardisation: in the spotlight(3) • ‘EXPRESS’: Expert Panel for the Review of the European Standardisation System • CEN and CENELEC study on access to standards for SMEs

  13. How does SMEST fit into this picture? • Co-funding provided by the European Commission and EFTA • Will provide toolkit for National Standards Bodies in EU12 for the improvement of the participation of SMEs in standardisation and thus… • …follows European standardisation policy by supporting the involvement of all interested parties

  14. More information • DG Enterprise and Industry standards policy website: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/standards_policy/index_en.htm • Vademecum on European standardisation:http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/standards_policy/vademecum/index.htm • European standardisation action plan:http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/standards_policy/action_plan/index.htm • Mandate database:http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/standards_policy/mandates/index.htm

  15. Thank you for your attention!

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