What is the problem? Standards are far from marketing reality

The new technical standards are adopted without the consideration of the relative costs of the different technical alternatives. The implementation costs of technologies proposed as standards are frequently ignored. This can lead businesses into serious financial difficulties when relying on agreed standards where the costs of implementation are not clear.

Why is the EU action required? Harmonise standardisation rules

When adopting standards, different standardisation bodies currently adopt different approaches to the licensing. The Commission will work towards harmonising these divergent practices and will formulate minimum rules to be followed for a standard to be recognised across the EU.

What will the Commission do?

The European Commission will identify the main issues on standardisation procedures and will draft the guidelines by the end of 2012.

Contact:

rainer.zimmermann@ec.europa.eu