Background

As explained in Consultation Document several formal documents have expressed the desirability of such reform, and have made progress towards achieving the reform.

Policy Basis

In addition to Communication Com(2008)133 final, of 11th March 2008, these include:

  • the Small Business Act (Com(2008)394 final) encouraging the European Standards Organisations to review their Business Model and called for an adaptation of the ESS to the needs of SMEs.
  • the Commission proposal of 3 March 2010 for a new Europe 2020 economic strategy1 stresses the key importance of innovation for the achievement of the EU's strategic objectives of smart, inclusive and sustainable growth and mentions in this context that "speeding up setting of interoperable standards" is an important factor to improve framework conditions for business innovation.
  • The Commission is ready to take forward all the necessary reforms to achieve this in the context of a new EU Research and Innovation Plan that it has committed to put forward in the autumn 2010.
  • In the context of the Better Regulation Policy of the European Union, an Impact Assessment shall be performed on all provisions and options envisaged by the Commission. An Open Consultation aims at gathering opinions and feedback from stakeholders on avenues for exploration which will help the Commission shape concrete proposals to improve the functioning of European standardisation notably in the context of the EU Research and Innovation Plan.

Progress

  • In 2009, the Commission published a White Paper and organised a public consultation on policy options aiming at a modernisation of ICT standardisation in the EU. Most proposals of the White Paper received a broad support from most stakeholders. The ICT White Paper consultation would lead to a revision of the corresponding legal basis (Decision 87/95/EEC).
  • A group of standardisation experts, called EXPRESS, has worked out in 2009 a series of recommendations for the review of the European Standardisation System.
  • The European Standards Organisations have embarked on a convergence programme, called FLES (Future Landscape of European Standardisation).

Regulatory Context

Especially:

  • Directive 98/34/EC
  • Council Decision 87/95/EEC in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector

Brief Description

Review of the European Standardisation System

URL: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/european-standards/public-consultation/index_en.htm

Parties

DG Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission
The European Standardisation Organisations

Objective

Make the European Standardisation System (ESS) more reactive to innovation and more supportive to the competitiveness of EU enterprises.

Time Window

Started: 2008, with the publication of Communication Com(2008)133 final, of 11th March 2008 (EUR-lex link ).
Ends: ongoing; forthcoming milestone: Autumn 2010 when the European Commission will formulate proposals to the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.