Expert hearing – highlights

Revision of the EU Standardisation Framework

Expert hearing - 3 March 2026

On 3 March 2026, the INT Section hosted a hearing on the revision of the EU standardisation regulation. Following an evaluation of regulation adopted in July 2025 and the public consultation on the revision conducted in fall 2025, the proposal is expected to be released in Q3 of 2026. The hearing highlighted potential improvements in standardisation policy concerning speed, stakeholder inclusivity, and how the EU can utilise standards to reach certain goals.

Speakers highlights 

Guillaume Roty

Head of Unit, Unit H.3 - Standards Policy / DG GROW
 

• The revision of standardisation regulation is a core element of the Competitiveness Compass, with the main objectives to: 

  - Accelerate the standardisation process so standards are available when they are needed, especially in fast moving sectors; 

  - Establish shared responsibility between the EU Commission and standardisation organisations in improving the responsiveness of the system, and

  - Ensure the sustainability of the system by improving participation of all stakeholders and the implementation of the European Court of Justice rulings. According to the European Court of Justice, standards should be public, free, and accessible. 

• In certain cases, standards - though normally voluntary - may be made mandatory by being directly referenced in EU law. 

• The European Product Act - in a single act approach - aims to cover the entire lifecycle of a product and ensure a coherent revision of the Market Surveillance, New Legislative Framework and European Standardisation legislative frameworks.

Sophia Zakari

Director Enterprise Policy & Legal Affairs / SMEunited

• The EU should improve existing legislation, ensure the inclusion of SMEs, and address the slow pace of standards-related legislation.

• Other priorities include aligning standards with legislative processes and strengthening Europe’s role as a standard setter through enhanced cooperation and increased funding.

• The Multiannual Financial Framework should allocate dedicated funding organisations representing SMEs in the standardization process e.g. Small Business Standards.

• Standardisation should remain as a standalone regulation.

Justin Wilkes

Executive Director / ECOS

• Standards are the backbone of the Single Market, driving innovation and serving as strategic assets for the EU.

• While standards are technically voluntary, they play a decisive role in enabling the EU to achieve its environmental policy objectives.

• The standardization system involves a strong presence from industry, and more balanced participation with the inclusion of environmental experts should be facilitated.

Jan Rempala

Senior Adviser / BusinessEurope

• The slow citation of standards is a major issue, as backlogs delay implementation and increase costs.
• Maintaining a link between EU standards and ISO standards is essential to prevent fragmentation of the global market.
• In line with European Court of Justice rulings, making harmonized standards freely accessible does involve costs.

Guido De Jongh

Adviser / ETUC

• The standardization regulation lacks sufficient clarifying details, how the European standardisation system shall operate.

• Participation in standardization bodies requires payment of fees, creating barriers for non-commercial entities.

• Historically, standards have been developed by and for businesses, not for social, societal, or ethical needs. 

• The effectiveness of the standardization system needs to be improved.

• Both harmonized and non-harmonized standards should be handled through the same procedures, based on principles of inclusiveness.

• Standards are a key instrument for achieving open strategic autonomy.

• The interplay between “strategic autonomy”, “made in Europe” and standards must be clarified

Alejandro Moledo del Río

Deputy Director / European Disability Forum

• The standardization system presents financial barriers for civil society organisations, accessibility barriers for persons with disabilities and unequal opportunities to participate on an equal footing, particularly at national level. 

• Harmonised standards and standards requested by the Commission in support of EU policies should not be outsourced to the European Standardisation System.

• An accountable body should conduct the development of these standards ensuring balanced representation and Europe’s sovereignty. Good practices on accessibility standards setting are the US Access Board and Accessibility Standards Canada.