1. Standardisation in the European Context
Thank you.
Structure of presentation:
what is SBS?
SBS Twinning seminar, Sofia, 25 January 2018
Christel Davidson, SBS Director

2. Economic importance of SMEs
Underrepresentation of SMEs in standardisation
Establishment of SBS
SBS was established at the end of 2013.
What prompted the establishment of SBs
Economic importance of SMEs
Not repeat Véronique but
SME big player.
Despite economic weight under represented.
Why?
Standards apply to large companies
Unclear what the benefits are
Challenges linked to the standards as such:
Identify the relevant standards
Standards can be complex, difficult to understand
Unclear where to turn to
SMEs usually suffer from a lack of knowledge of the standardisation process and how to access and participate in the development of standards Lack of resources to participate (eg. lack of human resources, lack of time).
Legislative Framework set up to
1 – modernise the standardisation system
2 – ensure a better representation of SMEs (+ societal stakeholders)
Without changing the basic principle of
standards are voluntary
standards are developed by industry for industry
Led to the establishment of SBS
Legislative Framework

3. 21 members
To date, we count 21 members representing national and European horizontal or sectoral trade associations.
Also open to EFTA

4. Mission of SBS
to represent the interests of SMEs in the standardisation process at European level,
to raise their awareness for standardisation
to encourage SMEs to become involved in the standardisation process
SME representation and participation in the standardisation process in the EU
European but also international
standards increasingly being developed at int’l level
4, also the need to raise awarerness among other stakeholders of the views of SMEs
SBS is funded by the EC and EFTA member states.
Very important:
Because SBS is publicly funded, no differentiation….

5. Represent and support SMEs in standardisation
What does SBS do?
Represent and support SMEs in standardisation
Technical
Political
SME representation and participation in the standardisation process in the EU
Concretely, SBS operates on 2 levels – on a technical and on a political level
On the technical level,
SBS appoints experts in working groups and technical committees at EU level. In 2018, will be supporting 60 experts (45 European + 15 international) in 19 different sectors construction, ICT, lifts, furniture, wood, textiles, construction, ICT, occupational health and safety, etc.
Also services, tourism
Selection process
Call for proposal end June – deadline November
OPEN to ALL
Selection committee
knowledge about their standard
knowledge about standardisation
SME knowledge (letter of support)
Cross check candidates with priorities of the EU.
What do these experts do?
They participate in the standardisation process i.e. TC, WGs etc
Objective: ensure that the standards developed are SME compatible.
Why so important figures mentioned before. Potential greatest standard user.
Important:
Unlike others
Do not represent a country or company.
Represent position of European SMEs.
How is this ensured.
Experts set up mirror committees – group of experts of the sector
Provide regular reports
SBS also active on the political side
SBS participates in the governing bodies of these organisations: the General Assembly, etc. SBS also has a position of observer in the Committee of Standards, the committee which gathers the representatives of members states.
60 experts
Governing Bodies
at EU level

6. Awareness-raising & SME involvement
What does SBS do?
Awareness-raising & SME involvement
National Seminars
Trainings
Trainings
Other objectives of SBS are to
Raise awareness about the benefits of standards for SMEs
For harmonised standards – presumption of conformity –
Facilitates trade
Reduces costs
Study in Ireland showed the benefits of standards:
How do we do this?
Organise national seminars
Trainings
Annual conference
Capacity building
Annual
conference
Capacity building

7. What does SBS do? Communication channels Press releases Twitter
Internal
External
Trainings
Communication channels
Press releases
Twitter
Website
Newsletters
Position papers
Information flow mechanism
Newsletter, press releases, position papers, social media

8. Reach out to NSOs Trainings on standardisation targeting stakeholders
Digital updates on standards – stakeholders can personalise their information flow (daily, weekly,…)
A number of SMEs are asked by the NSO to implement a standard before its publication
Funding support programme via which SMEs may apply for funding to attend meetings across the globe
Discounts for the purchase of several standards
SME representation and participation in the standardisation process in the EU
European but also international
standards increasingly being developed at int’l level
4, also the need to raise awarerness among other stakeholders of the views of SMEs
SBS is funded by the EC and EFTA member states.
Very important:
Because SBS is publicly funded, no differentiation….

9. Thank you for your attention!
Rue Jacques de Lalaingstraat 4
B-1040 Brussels, Belgium
Small Business Standards is co-financed by the European Commission and the EFTA Member States