Brussels, 14 May 2004
Commissioner Busquin foresees a change of paradigm in future co-operation between standardization and research
Brussels (13 May 2004) – - The future relationship between standardization and research was discussed at a meeting between CEN and Commissioner Busquin (BE) on 12 May 2004 in Brussels. "Standards are a key element for economic development" said Commissioner Philippe Busquin during his visit to the CEN Management Centre. "Standardizers have to identify needs for standards in new areas and develop strategic visions concerning future developments." Representatives from CENELEC, ETSI and Eureka were also present at the meeting.
Standardization is initiated by industry up to 90% of the time and, as CEN Vice-President Technical Lars Flink (SE) said, "there is an interactive relation between standardization and research". Mr Flink pointed out that standards are a very efficient way to bring the results of research projects to the market. "Through standards, companies are actually able to benefit from research – this is especially true for small and medium-sized enterprises", said the Vice-President. Standards can offer important support for the implementation of European policies e.g. in the areas of safety, security and environment. CEN is engaged in several projects which combine standardization with ongoing efforts in research and development e.g.
- STAR programme (CEN working group on standardization and research);
- Dedicated Working Groups to initiate standards in humanitarian mine action and security of the citizen;
- COPRAS (Co-operation platform for research and standards);
- Maxiquest-Norm (Maximizing Quality and Efficiency of Standards through Normative research).
"The future relation between CEN and the field of research must be characterized by a change of paradigm", said Commissioner Busquin. "Firstly, CEN should define areas of primary interest for future research projects such as hydrogen, food safety and nanotechnologies. Secondly, CEN should actively participate in current activities such as the European Technology Platforms, Integrated Projects or Networks of Excellence." Mr Busquin highlighted that standardization should play an important role in the European Commission action plan to reach 3 % of European GDP devoted to research by 2010 and he recommended CEN to reflect on how best standards can contribute to the 3 % action plan. The European Committee for Standardization can help to ensure that Europe does not lag behind its economic competitors in terms of standardization projects.
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
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