Periodic Reporting for period 2 - STAND4EU (Boosting the Exploitation of Standardisation Inputs from European Projects)
Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2024-10-31
Contributions from industry, research and end-users, involving experts that represent diverse stakeholders are crucial for the standardisation development. However, the standards-making process and rules are sometimes at odds with the culture and practice of research.
STAND4EU aimed to strengthen the links between research, innovation, and standardisation, ensuring that standardisation became an integral part of the European research and innovation landscape. The needs and requirements from key stakeholders were analysed to identify obstacles hampering the standardisation efforts in four technological domains: Welding, Additive Manufacturing, Smart Manufacturing, and Circular Economy.
Solutions were developed and implemented to overcome the identified obstacles, making the standards development process more efficient. The STAND4EU interface was created to facilitate the collection and sharing of information about the obstacles, associated remedies, and best practices. All the proposed solutions were validated with the relevant actors and stakeholders to transfer the methodology to a broader scale of application in other respective areas, aiming to reach sustainable development of the developed methodological approach and exploit the STAND4EU Interface globally.
The main STAND4EU objectives and phases were the following:
1. Identified and created awareness about the obstacles preventing:
- Standards implementation in research and innovation projects.
- Contribution to standardisation by research & innovation projects.
2. Developed and validated remedies to these obstacles, including:
- Solutions to foster standardisation as a means of knowledge valorisation.
- New, more agile approaches for the standard setting process (SSP).
3. Implemented solutions by establishing the STAND4EU interface to:
- Facilitate information collection and sharing about the obstacles, associated remedies, and best practices towards key stakeholders.
- Validate proposed measures to finalise the Remediation Plan.
4. Ensured sustainability and transferability through:
- Harmonised transfer of the interface methodology to a broader scale of application in other areas to exploit the STAND4EU Interface globally.
STAND4EU aimed to strengthen the links between research, innovation, and standardisation, ensuring that standardisation became an integral part of the European research and innovation landscape. The needs and requirements from key stakeholders were analysed to identify obstacles hampering the standardisation efforts in four technological domains: Welding, Additive Manufacturing, Smart Manufacturing, and Circular Economy.
Solutions were developed and implemented to overcome the identified obstacles, making the standards development process more efficient. The STAND4EU interface was created to facilitate the collection and sharing of information about the obstacles, associated remedies, and best practices. All the proposed solutions were validated with the relevant actors and stakeholders to transfer the methodology to a broader scale of application in other respective areas, aiming to reach sustainable development of the developed methodological approach and exploit the STAND4EU Interface globally.
The main STAND4EU objectives and phases were the following:
1. Identified and created awareness about the obstacles preventing:
- Standards implementation in research and innovation projects.
- Contribution to standardisation by research & innovation projects.
2. Developed and validated remedies to these obstacles, including:
- Solutions to foster standardisation as a means of knowledge valorisation.
- New, more agile approaches for the standard setting process (SSP).
3. Implemented solutions by establishing the STAND4EU interface to:
- Facilitate information collection and sharing about the obstacles, associated remedies, and best practices towards key stakeholders.
- Validate proposed measures to finalise the Remediation Plan.
4. Ensured sustainability and transferability through:
- Harmonised transfer of the interface methodology to a broader scale of application in other areas to exploit the STAND4EU Interface globally.
The outcomes of the action were the following:
- Improved Standardisation Processes: Addressed bottlenecks with practical recommendations.
- Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement: Increased collaboration through the STAND4EU interface and workshops.
- Sustainable Impact: Developed a sustainability plan and strategic partnerships.
- Capacity Building: Provided training and coaching to equip stakeholders with necessary skills.
Work Package Highlights:
WP2: Recommendations for Action & Remedies:
Identified bottlenecks and developed 22 recommendations.
Created a remediation plan aligned with the EU Code of Practice.
Proposed a Centre of Excellence (CoE).
WP3: STAND4EU Interface:
Launched the interface for information sharing.
Engaged stakeholders through an interactive platform.
WP4: Validation of Recommendations & Remedies:
Validated recommendations via workshops and feedback.
Provided training to improve stakeholder engagement.
WP5: Dissemination, Exploitation, and Sustainability:
Developed a dissemination strategy.
Established an advisory board and sustainability plan.
- Improved Standardisation Processes: Addressed bottlenecks with practical recommendations.
- Enhanced Stakeholder Engagement: Increased collaboration through the STAND4EU interface and workshops.
- Sustainable Impact: Developed a sustainability plan and strategic partnerships.
- Capacity Building: Provided training and coaching to equip stakeholders with necessary skills.
Work Package Highlights:
WP2: Recommendations for Action & Remedies:
Identified bottlenecks and developed 22 recommendations.
Created a remediation plan aligned with the EU Code of Practice.
Proposed a Centre of Excellence (CoE).
WP3: STAND4EU Interface:
Launched the interface for information sharing.
Engaged stakeholders through an interactive platform.
WP4: Validation of Recommendations & Remedies:
Validated recommendations via workshops and feedback.
Provided training to improve stakeholder engagement.
WP5: Dissemination, Exploitation, and Sustainability:
Developed a dissemination strategy.
Established an advisory board and sustainability plan.
An overview of results, potential impacts and key needs for further uptake is presented in what follows:
Standardisation Obstacles Report: Identified challenges in standardisation, aiding targeted interventions and informed policy makers.
Remediation Plan: Offered 22 recommendations to improve standardisation in transversal technological areas, aiming for better processes and adoption.
Coaching Programme: Provided guidance to 9 research projects, enhancing skills and engagement in standardisation.
Training Guide: Delivered training material for standardisation committees, improving training quality and knowledge sharing.
STAND4EU Interface: A platform for standardisation resources, aiming to increase collaboration and resource accessibility.
Key Needs for Further Uptake:
- Continuous research and updates
- Supportive policies and frameworks
- Stakeholder engagement and user engagement strategies
- Access to finance and commercialisation support
Standardisation Obstacles Report: Identified challenges in standardisation, aiding targeted interventions and informed policy makers.
Remediation Plan: Offered 22 recommendations to improve standardisation in transversal technological areas, aiming for better processes and adoption.
Coaching Programme: Provided guidance to 9 research projects, enhancing skills and engagement in standardisation.
Training Guide: Delivered training material for standardisation committees, improving training quality and knowledge sharing.
STAND4EU Interface: A platform for standardisation resources, aiming to increase collaboration and resource accessibility.
Key Needs for Further Uptake:
- Continuous research and updates
- Supportive policies and frameworks
- Stakeholder engagement and user engagement strategies
- Access to finance and commercialisation support