In order to ensure continuing economic growth, it is not only sufficient to create new knowledge through research and innovation, but that knowledge should be disseminated effectively and efficiently exploited by the economy and businesses. As it turns out, standardization and standards based on consensus and stakeholder involvement are the best way to disseminate and exploit the knowledge produced.
Standardization and standards provide significant benefits to businesses and industry and offer a significant competitive advantage for SMEs. They create a level playing field, allow access to state-of-the-art technology, enhance innovation capacity and contribute to more resource efficiency.
The European Standardization Organizations, CEN and CENELEC, provide information, tools and support to explain the benefits of standards, how they are used and how to participate in the standard development process
(https://www.cencenelec.eu/get-involved/small-and-medium-enterprises-smes/smes-and-standards/ ).
In 2016, ELOT, within the framework of the Industrial and Business Policy Coordination Council – Industry Forum and its participation in the Working Group “Industry and Innovation” submitted an in-depth study entitled “Standardization and standards as a means of supporting Entrepreneurship, Research & Innovation and Competitiveness” with particular emphasis on SMEs. The study is available here.
In 2018, ELOT co-organised the GSEVEE – SBS Conference “Standards and Small Businesses: challenges and opportunities.
In 2019, with a view to wider dissemination of standards included in regulatory provisions, ELOT made available with significant discount collections of standards of the Building Fire Protection Regulation.
