With the release of his much-anticipated report on the future of the Single Market, Enrico Letta has provided the opportunity for Europe to reconsider its approach to this cornerstone of the European Union. CEN and CENELEC share the ambition of a revitalised Single Market and are pleased to see the recognition of standardization as a means to realize this goal.
With the European elections just around the corner and the end of this Commission’s mandate, the report “Much More Than A Market” comes at the ideal time to foster a EU-wide reflection on how to create a cohesive vision for a sustainable and prosperous Single Market.
CEN and CENELEC are especially welcoming of Mr Letta’s inclusion of European Standards as a tool for facilitating EU harmonization. In the report, the former Prime Minister of Italy and current President of the Jacques Delors Institute says: “It is essential to continue investing in the enhancement and promotion of European standards, reinforcing the Single Market's role as a robust platform that supports innovation, safeguards consumer interests, and promotes sustainable development”.
The two standardization organizations also appreciate the identification of sectors where standardization can make a strong contribution to, such as circular economy, and the acknowledgement of the importance of enhancing European leadership in international standardization.
Mr Letta’s proposed new Fifth Freedom to enhance research, innovation, and education in the Single Market resonates with CEN and CENELEC’s commitment to strengthen the relationship between standardization, researchers, and innovators.
The benefits of integrating standards into research and innovation activities is twofold. First, integration facilitates the early identification of emerging technologies in whose deployment standardization can play a role, and thereby ensures the timely inclusion of research results in standardization activities. Secondly, bringing forth research and innovation-based ideas for the development of new standards can facilitate the market acceptance of innovative products while increasing their relevance.
CEN and CENELEC look forward to further elaboration on this fifth freedom and hope that the role of European standards in bridging the gap between research and innovation is considered within these discussions.
CEN and CENELEC strongly believe that a European Single Market underpinned by a functioning European Standardization System, based on the principles of consensus, of inclusiveness, should be an important aim of the European Union.
Previously, Andreea GULACSI, CEN and CENELEC’s Director Policy and External Affairs, had the opportunity to participate in an exchange of views with Enrico Letta at the European Parliament and discussed how to leverage on standards for the future of the Single Market.
Related News: CEN and CENELEC shared views with Enrico Letta on the Report on the Future of the Single Market
