DIHK Statement on the EU Consultation on Revising the "Standardisation Regulation"

Accelerating standard development while ensuring quality: Through the planned revision of the EU Standardisation Regulation, DIHK advocates more efficient processes using digital tools, facilitated access and participation opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as faster processes for the acceptance of standardisation mandates and the publication of harmonised standards.

The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) supports the aim of the European Commission to make European standardisation faster and more agile. It is crucial to maintain established principles such as transparency, quality, consensus, and broad stakeholder participation. DIHK sees potential risks in the fragmentation of the system and the creation of parallel structures, such as through "Common Specifications".

Key Points Briefly

Proven principles of the European standardisation system − broad stakeholder participation, high quality, as well as transparent and consensus-based decision making processes – should be preserved.
The introduction of Common Specifications as an alternative to harmonised standards is viewed critically by the majority of businesses. It would undermine the proven, consensus-based public-private partnership model and create parallel structures.
Instead, existing processes should be specifically improved, especially the procedures for adopting standardisation mandates and publishing harmonised standards.
The review process by the HAS consultants should be made more efficient and cooperative to avoid later, time-consuming correction loops.
A binding, transparent procedure for the prompt announcement of harmonised standards in the EU Official Journal after successful review would significantly enhance planning security for businesses.
The DIHK advocates accelerating processes with the use of digital and AI-supported tools as well as virtual participation formats thus making it easier for SMEs and start-ups to collaborate.
Free access to legally relevant standard content would increase legal certainty and transparency for businesses.

Background

In the summer of 2025, the European Commission initiated the revision of the Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 ("EU Standardisation Regulation"). The regulation sets out the basic rules for the European standardisation system. The objective is to accelerate and simplify standard development, improve the involvement of all stakeholders, facilitate access to standards, and strengthen Europe's international role.

The consultation was preceded by an evaluation of the regulation, which concluded that the European standardisation system is fundamentally efficient and coherent, but also faces numerous challenges:

Lengthy and complex processes: It takes an average of six years to complete a standardisation process. Approximately three years are spent on technical drafting and consensus-building, while the remaining time is largely devoted to coordination, review, and publication processes.
SMEs and start-ups remain underrepresented: Resources, capacities, and capabilities are often lacking to effectively engage in complex and time-consuming standardisation processes at European, national, and international levels. Expertise in standardisation and funding remain challenges for stakeholders.
Additional challenges: Faster technology cycles in digital and green sectors, geopolitical developments, and the Malamud ruling (highlighting free access to harmonised standards) increase the pressure for adaptation.

Through the consultation, the European Commission gathered suggestions for the revision. DIHK contributed its proposals in a statement. A draft revised EU Standardisation Regulation is expected in the third quarter of 2026, according to the Commission's work programme.