The European Commission has presented a proposal to revise the European standardisation system to make it more rapid, inclusive and better able to support technological innovation and the strategic priorities of the Union.
European standards play a fundamental role in the functioning of the single market, enabling businesses to demonstrate the compliance of their products with European legislation, reduce costs and facilitate access to markets. Their importance concerns numerous strategic sectors, including clean technologies, batteries, construction, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing.
One of the main objectives of the proposal is to reduce the time required for the development of standards. According to the Commission's estimates, the new measures could bring the average duration of the process down from the current six years to about four. To this end, clearer deadlines, a greater use of external technical specifications in certain circumstances and intermediate tools that allow innovative solutions to reach the market more quickly.
Particular attention is also given to SMEs. The Commission aims to strengthen their participation in the standardisation processes, alongside that of public authorities, the academic world and civil society. New provisions are also planned in the field of transparency and accessibility, with the aim of making the standards developed under European legislation more easily accessible.
The proposal ultimately aims to consolidate the role of the European Union in defining international standards, increasingly regarded as a strategic tool for competitiveness, technological sovereignty, and economic security. To this end, the Commission also proposes the creation of a Centre of Experts on European Standardisation, tasked with improving coordination between the various EU policies.
The proposal will now be examined by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union before its possible adoption.