Reinforcing European presence in international ICT standardisation

The proposal is expected to reinforce the EU presence in the international ICT standardisation scene, by:

1. Monitoring and gathering information regarding the on-going work from the relevant international and global standards developing organisations (SDOs), fora and consortia, in particular those active in the ICT priority areas identified in the Communication “Priorities for ICT standardisation for the Digital Single Market[[COMM(2016) 176]]”. This monitoring should allow European institutions, Member States and industry to better understand where the opportunities and risks are and determine where it is needed to participate and invest resources with maximum impact to promote European strategic interests, both regarding public and users' interests, as well as industrial competitiveness.
2. To set up and manage a facility to support participation of key European specialists (especially from SMES and Academia) in key SDOs to push for European requirements and promote broade

   Standards and interoperability for digital technologies play a crucial role as a foundation of an effective Digital Single Market. They ensure that technologies work smoothly and reliably together, provide economies of scale, foster innovation and keep markets open. Fragmentation of standard setting processes along national lines, or the absence of common standards, would significantly slow down innovation and disadvantage European businesses on a global scale.

   The standard setting process in the ICT domain faces a number of important new challenges that require a focused, sustained and coordinated European response. There are ever more bodies and organisations involved in ICT standard setting around the world. Improved cooperation, deeper involvement of European specialists, and increased focus are needed in order to ensure that the EU's priorities and the Digital Single Market perspectives are sufficiently represented in the entire spectrum of organisations.

   • Identification of ICT standardisation areas which need European intervention and proposal of actions to address them;
   • Engagement of required stakeholders and experts to ensure lasting impact;
   • Increase the influence or Europe into international ICT standardisation, ensuring promotion of European requirements and interests;
   • Set-up of a facility to support participation of European experts in international ICT SDOs and technical bodies.
   • Increase the participation of European experts in international ICT Standardisation activities to support European interests.
   • Getting working items at the right time into the right technical bodies in international SDOs, fora and consortia.
   • Synergies with other similar initiatives or European players including from EU (and national) funded R&I projects
   • Common positions of European stakeholders in international ICT standardisation.