European conference on standardisation and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): a challenge for Europe
Small and medium-sized enterprises
© Europa
- On: 21.10.2008
- In: Paris
Standardisation is a tool at the service of businesses to help them disseminate their innovations and capture market share in Europe and worldwide, and is fundamental to the development of SMEs. By becoming involved in the standardisation process, SMEs are able to accelerate their growth. At present SMEs use the standisation process very little due to lack of awareness of its advantages.
In 2006 the European conference held on the occasion of World Standards Day concentrated on "SMEs and standardisation". A European Commission report entitled "Business & Policy Research" was presented along with 23 best practices and support initiatives intended to promote the involvement of SMEs and small trades in standardisation and the use of standards. These recommendations included the implementation of initial training programmes on standardisation in schools, and the creation of task forces devoted to simplifying texts to facilitate "field' users' understanding of standards, developing SME-oriented training schemes and aids for financing standardisation.
This conference will aim to answer the following questions:
- Who has made progress by taking advantage of or implementing best standardisation practices?
- In which countries and in what forms have new practices have been developed?
- What obstacles and hurdles remain?
- What is the European Union's position in this regard in 2008?
The conference will include examples of first-hand experience from businesses, and will be an opportunity for standards associations, consumers and professional organisations to exchange views. It will provide a forum for thought on how SMEs can be educated in taking ownership of the standardisation process.
- Updated: 18.12.2008
