The Communication emphasizes the role of standardisation in supporting EU policies and legislation, and recognizes its contribution to European competitiveness and the Single Market. It highlights the positive links and interactions between standardisation, investments in R & D activities and fostering innovation. At the same time it calls for increased efforts on behalf of all actors, including the European Commission, European Standards Organisations, national standards bodies, industry and other interested actors to cooperate, support and strengthen the European standardisation system.
The Communication specifically focuses on standardisation issues of particular importance to information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as interoperability, accessibility and security. Furthermore, it sites two ICT examples - the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and the Galileo satellite navigation infrastructure - where standardisation has facilitated the increase of R & D and innovation activities and contributed to significant expansions in business opportunities for Europe. However, in the context of the rapid development and fierce global competition characteristic of the field, ICT is also identified as an area where efficient standardisation is facing ever more challenges.
The Communication's recommendations for actions include
- expanding the use of European standardisation in European policies and legislation,
- improving the efficiency, coherence, and visibility of European standardisation and its institutional framework (especially in ICTs),
- reinforcing the role of European standardisation in the international context.
Further information
- European Commission: Standards Policy
Source
European Commission:
- European Commission (EC). 18 October 2004. "Commission aims for greater efficiency in standards for a competitive Europe". (IP/04/1239). Retrieved from EC Press Releases.