Standards provide rules and guidance on how products and tools are made, how methods are applied, and how services are rendered. Not only are they crucial in enabling the Single Market through interoperability and compatibility, they also ensure the safety and quality of products. At the same time – and very importantly –, standards affect workers. From the design of high-risk machinery and AI systems used in the workplace to the specifications governing personal protective equipment across various sectors in Europe, standards permeate the world of work.
As the ETUC celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, let’s take this milestone as an opportunity to reflect on the ETUC’s longstanding commitment to standardization. To mark the occasion, the ETUC is pleased to launch a practical new resource: Standards at the Workplace – a hands-on handbook that introduces the world of standards and explains their implications for workers. Alongside this publication, the ETUC also released a compelling video, Trade Unions and Standardization, aimed at further encouraging and empowering trade union participation in standard-setting processes.
Finally, the ETUC is excited to mark this 10-year journey by entering a new social media phase. Join the ETUC and follow along on BlueSky @etuc-ces.bsky.social.
