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Research and innovation
News article4 August 2021Directorate-General for Research and Innovation

Standards drive innovation

Standards help to bridge the gap between research and market and increase the probabilities of market up-take of technological innovations. Standardisation has an important role in research and innovation (R&I) investment agendas as it helps paving the way for large-scale deployment of new and strategic technologies. Horizon Europe, the new Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for the period of 2021-2027, will support valorising R&I results through standardisation to the highest possible extent.

As emphasised in the European Green Deal and in the New Industrial Strategy for Europe, developing new standards, coupled with increased EU participation in international standardisation bodies, will be essential to boost European industry’s competitiveness and resilience and build a sustainable future. Standards will help to valorise and spread the scientific discoveries and inventions towards the green and digital transition and the EU's open strategic autonomy. The updated EU Industrial Strategy of May 2021 announces a strategy and possible legislative change for more leadership in standard-setting while working openly with others on areas of mutual interest.

In line with the Communication ‘A new ERA for Research and Innovation’, Guiding Principles for knowledge valorisation will be developed and implemented by a set of codes of practice. One of them will be dedicated to standardisation. The code of practice for researchers on standardisation shall provide a set of recommendations on how beneficiaries of public R&I funds can best valorise project results through standardisation.

As a first step, Directorate-General Research and Innovation has launched a comprehensive survey targeted to Horizon 2020 beneficiaries. It aims to identify and analyse examples of projects and respective evaluations where research results were successfully exploited thanks to the involvement of beneficiaries in standardisation activities.

The analyses of Horizon 2020 project data will create an evidence base to help understand success factors of European R&I projects in using standardisation as a successful conduit to valorise their results. It should be available towards the end of 2021 and allow drawing first conclusions and identifying good examples.

As next step, the widest possible circle of stakeholders will be involved to co-create the code of practice for researchers on standardisation that will practical guidance responding to researchers’ needs, underpinned by concrete best practices. The launch of respective activities is expected for the beginning of 2022.

More information

Standardisation Booster in Horizon Europe

The Standardisation Booster shall offer services to help Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe beneficiaries to valorise their results through standardisation as from 2022.

Check out the call topic in the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021/2022.

See more highlights relating to the EU Knowledge Valorisation policy

Details

Publication date
4 August 2021
Author
Directorate-General for Research and Innovation