The Commission supports the participation of SMEs, societal and social stakeholders in the EU Standardisation process

The “Invitations to submit a proposal to the organisations representing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and societal stakeholders in standardisation activities” (SMP-STAND-2023-A3-AG-OG-IBA) put in practice the recognition from the Standardisation Regulation* of the importance of the participation of all relevant interested parties including SMEs and societal and social stakeholders in the European standardisation process.

The grants will ensure the participation in the definition of EU standards, alongside the technical experts, of these crucial stakeholders as defined by Annex III of the Regulation:

• Small Business Standards (SBS)
• The European  Association  for  the  Co-ordination  of  Consumer  Representation  in Standardisation (ANEC)
• The European Environmental Organisation for Standardisation (ECOS)
• The European Trade Union Confederation (CES ETUC)

By involving stakeholders closer to the needs and perspective of the SMEs and of societal and social challenges, the call will have a positive impact on society, and in particular on the safety and well-being of citizens, the efficiency of networks, the environment, workers’ safety and working conditions, accessibility and other public policy fields

This invitation to submit proposals is promoted under the Support to Standardisation strand of the Single Market Programme (SMP) - which is managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)  since 1 April 2021 in tight collaboration with the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) of the European Commission.

With its budget of € 5,774,000, this call will support the pre-identified stakeholders – who have until 16 May 2023 to apply for the four available topics:

Topic 1. SMP-STAND-2023-3-AG-IBA-SBS - Support to organisations representing SMEs interests in standardisation activities

Topic 2. SMP-STAND-2023-3-OG-IBA-ANEC - Support to organisations representing consumer interests in standardisation activities

Topic 3. SMP-STAND-2023-3-OG-IBA-ECOS - Support to organisations representing environmental interests in standardisation activities

Topic 4. SMP-STAND-2023-3-OG-IBA-ETUC - Support to organisations representing social interests in standardisation activities

_{* Regulation (EU) 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European standardisation, adopted on 25 October 2012}