Tag Archive: SBS

  1. SBS responds to the consultation on the revision of the New Legislative Framework

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    In February SBS, of which LEVA-EU is a member, submitted its reply to the European Commission public consultation on the revision of the New Legislative Framework (NLF). Since its creation, the NLF has played a central role in the achievement of the Single Market, providing a flexible framework that allows to cope with technological developments and bring lasting and tangible benefits to European SMEs.

    SBS believes that the revision process of the NLF should maintain its overarching principles and proceed towards a moderate revision.

    Furthermore, SBS believes that the provisions related to the CE marking are still appropriate. While acknowledging that there are cases where there can be confusion among consumers about the nature and scope of the CE marking, this does not seem to be a sufficient reason to eliminate a well-known, well-established system that is still serving its purpose.

    However, the revision on the NLF must be an occasion to clarify and integrate certain definitions (such as “refurbishment“, “repair”, “reuse” and “substantial modification“) that are either absent or not fully clear and harmonised in the current NLF framework, along with clarifying the obligations and responsibilities of operators carrying out these activities.

    With regards to the Digital Product Passport (DPP), which will be a centrepiece of the new revised NLF, SMEs have to be provided with guidance and clear compliance tools to make the DPP a success for EU citizens and all economic operators. Much stronger efforts are needed in terms of clarity and guidance to SMEs to make sure that such solutions can provide economic advantages and not, on the other hand, place excessive requirements that would put SMEs and microenterprises at a disadvantage vis á vis market surveillance authorities, other economic operators and customers.

    The revision of the NLF is part of the Commission initiatives towards a future EU Product Act, which will also include the revised Standardisation Regulation and Market Surveillance Regulation (MSR). In this sense, SBS believes that the future revised Standardisation Regulation should remain as a standalone piece of legislation within the Product Act, while there could be merit in merging the future NLF and MSR together, provided that the new joint act is designed coherently and any overlaps and discrepancies are avoided.

    Read the full SBS reply here.

  2. SBS publishes its new and updated SME Compatibility Test for Standards

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    SBS published in January its updated SME Compatibility Test! The Test assesses the SME-friendliness of any given standard, published or under development, through 25 multiple choice and open questions covering 11 criteria focusing all aspects of a standard, from scope to quality of the drafting, to implementation to impact and costs incurred by SMEs and users.

    Among the improvements of the new version of the Test are:

    • A new, more stringent scoring system
    • Increase in the weight of all questions concerning the cost of actions to be taken by SMEs to comply with the standard (testing; staff training or hiring…)
    • Additional questions to assess the clarity of the standard
    • Additional questions on whether the standard foresees specific tools or guidance for SMEs in its use and implementation

    SBS is a European non-profit association that represents and defends the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European standardisation system. LEVA-EU is a member of SBS and LEVA-EU board member Eddie Eccleston works as SBS-expert. In that position, he watches over the interests of SMEs in CEN/TC333 Cycles.

    The test is freely accessible on the internet here: https://sbs-sme.eu/tools/sme-compatibility-tests/.

  3. SME Guide on Standardisation for Light Electric Vehicles | LEVA-EU & SBS

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    Standards play a crucial role in ensuring safety, technical compliance, and a level playing field for smaller companies. This guide, a collaboration between LEVA-EU and SBS, provides a comprehensive resource for SMEs in the LEV sector, particularly those dealing with electric cycles, e-scooters, and self-balancing vehicles (excluded from Regulation (EU) No 168/2013).

    What’s inside the guide?

    • Understand the importance of standards: Learn how standards benefit SMEs by reflecting best practices, reducing costs, and enabling fair competition.
    • Navigate the standardisation process: Gain insights into all aspects of standardisation, from initial involvement to utilising completed standards.
    • Find answers quickly: The guide is designed for easy navigation. Read it cover-to-cover or jump directly to specific questions using the provided table of contents.

    Stay informed:

    This guide will be regularly updated to reflect any changes in the standardisation landscape. If you have questions not covered in the guide, feel free to contact LEVA-EU or SBS directly.

    Download the guide today and leverage the benefits of standardisation:

    SME Guide on Standardisation for Light Electric Vehicles | LEVA-EU & SBS

  4. Registration open for SBS Repair For Growth conference

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    Source: Meeting Standards, an Initiative of SBS

    Small Business Standards (SBS) to guide SMEs through the EU’s Right to Repair Directive and Standards

    The Repair for Growth event, to be hosted by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), will aim to make sense of the landscape that’s been shaped by the new EU Right to Repair Directive and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products legislation, presenting the opportunities and challenges that SMEs may face.

    Event timings are as follows:

    Date: 28 November 2024
    Time: 1.30 – 5.30pm + networking cocktail
    Venue: EFTA House, Av. des Arts 19H, 1000 Brussels

    It will aim to:

    • Make SMEs feel more empowered
    • Drive sustainable growth
    • Shape the future of standards

    With an agenda covering:

    • Policy and Legal Context: with speeches by lead experts and legal officers from the European Commission.
    • Expert Insights & European Consumer Voice: attendees can gain valuable knowledge and understand consumer needs.
    • Practical Advice: attendees can learn strategies that empower SMEs to meet repair requirements effectively.
    • Networking Opportunities: The event presents the chance to connect with like-minded professionals and build valuable relationships.

    More information with the full conference programme and registration information can be found here.

  5. LEVA-EU & SBS Announce Further Webinars on Standardisation for Light Electric Vehicles

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    LEVA-EU and SBS are excited to announce two more upcoming webinars on standardisation for the light electric vehicle (LEV) sector. These webinars will be held on Thursday, 28 November, and Friday, 13 December, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. These sessions are part of LEVA-EU and SBS’s ongoing efforts to empower stakeholders in the LEV industry with vital insights into the standardisation process.

    The two webinars will cover critical standardisation topics such as:
    • The development and approval of standards
    • The relationship between standards and legislation
    • How companies can engage in the standardisation process
    Key discussions will also include updates on the new EU Machinery Regulation, Battery Regulation, and the latest amendments to the EN15194 standard for EPACs.

    Registration and Participation
    Participation in the webinars is free of charge, but advance registration is required. Secure your spot here: https://shorturl.at/lG2Fv. Upon registration, participants will receive a link to join the webinar shortly before the event.

    Free Briefing on Standardisation

    In collaboration with SBS, LEVA-EU has published a comprehensive briefing on standardisation, covering essential information for the LEV sector. This resource is available for free and can be accessed here: https://vqr.vc/Ejy0eaDbu.

    Partnership with SBS: Supporting SMEs in Standardisation
    LEVA-EU has strengthened its commitment to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by collaborating with Small Business Standards (SBS). Together, they aim to ensure that SMEs are well-informed and active participants in the standardisation process. This partnership highlights LEVA-EU’s dedication to creating a more inclusive and transparent standardisation system.

    Meeting Standards
    The webinar on Thursday 28 November is part of Meeting Standards, a European initiative organised by SBS and dedicated to helping SMEs understand and benefit from standardisation.

    The initiative aims to:
    • Increase awareness: Educate SMEs about the importance of standardisation and its impact on their businesses.
    • Foster engagement: Encourage SME participation in the standards development process.
    • Share knowledge: Keep SMEs informed about the latest standardisation developments relevant to their industries.
    • Build community: Connect SMEs and standardisation organisations across Europe.

    The complete agenda of the Meeting Standards Week is here: https://shorturl.at/Dly9Y

    Contact Information for the LEV Standardisation Webinars
    For more information, please contact:
    Annick Roetynck
    LEVA-EU Manager
    ✉️ annick@leva-eu.com

    Join us to gain expert insights and stay ahead in the evolving LEV sector!

  6. SBS launches its manifesto for the 2024-2029 EU term

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    Source: Small Business Standards

    Small Business Standards (SBS), the voice of European SMEs in the standardisation process, has launched its “Manifesto for the 2024-2029 EU term – SMEs at the heart of European standardisation”

    SBS represents 22.5 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe, helping to promote the participation of SMEs in standards development, and to facilitate the uptake of standards by SMEs. It sees standards as an important cornerstone of the Single Market and as an indispensable tool to make EU policies operational, helping SMEs to ensure conformity and compliance with national and European legislation.

    The manifesto states: “Standards are crucial for developing measurement methods and infrastructure and ensuring data integrity in areas like eco-design, energy efficiency, cybersecurity, and the upcoming Digital Product Passport.”

    “The ongoing evaluation of Regulation 1025/2012 on European standardisation, coupled with a renewed focus on standards and international cooperation, will significantly shape the future of the European standardisation system.”

    “A balanced standardisation system, with SBS at the forefront of these efforts, is essential for SMEs to contribute to standards development and reap the benefits of growth, job creation, and prosperity within the EU.”

    The manifesto outlines 6 key calls-to-action:

    1. Ensure a more inclusive standardisation system that makes the Single Market work better for everyone.

    2. Secure robust funding for standardisation and SME participation and support European global leadership in standards.

    3. Promote SME-friendly digital and sustainability standards, letting SMEs fully harness the opportunities of the twin transition.

    4. Ensure the timely development and citation of harmonised standards, which are key for SME growth.

    5. Invest in the uptake and implementation of standards by SMEs to help them thrive.

    6. Fully implement Regulation 1025/2012 on European standardisation, rather than its revision.

    The full manifesto can be downloaded here.

  7. Webinar series aims to demystify standards for SMEs

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    Source: Small Business Standards

    A webinar series presented by Small Business Standards (SBS) and SME United is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) master standardisation

    Standardisation is crucial in enabling industries and stakeholders to agree on technical specifications, ensuring interoperability and consistency across sectors. The development of common European standards, as well as the removal of conflicting national standards, has been instrumental in creating a unified European Single Market.

    For SMEs, standards are essential in improving product quality, increasing efficiency, ensuring regulation compliance, and easing access to European and international markets. A webinar series hosted by SBS and SME United aims to bridge the knowledge gap among SMEs around standardisation, by offering valuable insights to SME associations, and empowering them in supporting their members.

    In the series, SBS and SME United will cover various aspects of standardisation in short live webinars, where participants will be able to ask questions and receive practical advice.

    The upcoming webinar sessions are as follows:

    Standards and Regulations: Navigating the Compliance maze
    23 October 2024  | 14 – 14.45 CEST 

    An exploration of the relationship between standards, regulations, and conformity assessment. Discover how voluntary standards interact with mandatory regulations and the legal framework governing these areas. This session is essential to understand how SMEs can use standards to ensure compliance, minimise risks, and understand the legal landscape in which they operate.

    Creating standards: Understanding the process
    27 November 2024  | 14 – 14.45 CEST 

    Have you ever wondered how a standard is developed? This session will take you behind the scenes of the standardisation process and will take place during Meeting Standards week. Discover the stages of developing a standard, from the initial proposal to the final publication. Learn about the key players involved, including Technical Committees and Working Groups. This session will provide attendees with a clear picture of how standards come to life and the critical roles they can play in shaping them.

    Get involved: Shaping standards to the benefit of SMEs
    18 December 2024  | 14 – 14.45 CEST 

    SMEs have a unique opportunity to influence the standards that impact their industries. This session will explore how SMEs can engage in the standardisation process, with discussions around the benefits of involvement, best practices insights from successful SME representatives, and practical tips on where to find information and how to get started.

    To register for the webinars, please send an email to Doris Rabetge: d.rabetge@sbs-sme.eu

  8. SBS granted Right of Opinion in CEN and CENELEC Technical work

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    CEN and CENELEC are committed to fostering an inclusive, open and transparent system and enhance the participation of all stakeholders in their activities, including SMEs and Civil Society representatives.

    Source: SBS

    For this reason, during the CEN and CENELEC Annual Meeting that was held in Amsterdam on 24-27 June, the CEN and CENELEC Administrative Boards agreed to grant Small Business Standards (SBS) – the recognised Annex III organisation representing SMEs’ interests in the European Standardisation System under EU Regulation 1025/2012 – the Right of Opinion in the CEN and CENELEC Technical work.

    SBS, of which LEVA-EU is a member, has been a long-time Partner of CEN and CENELEC under CEN and CENELEC Guide 25. The close cooperation between the 3 organisations has shown successful outcomes over the years, with greater consideration being given to the needs of SMEs in the development of standards. SBS is directly involved in over 60 Technical Committees and Sub-Committees across CEN and CENELEC, in a wide variety of sectors.

    The Opinion Mechanism, described on CEN BOSS and CENELEC BOSS, was established in 2017, allowing the Annex III Societal Stakeholder Organisations in partnership with CEN and/or CENELEC – ANEC, the European consumer voice in standardisation,  ECOS – Environmental Coalition on Standards, ETUC – European Trade Union Confederation – to submit an opinion on standards under development, as a complementary tool to their key participation at the national level.

    During the Annual Meeting week, the CEN and CENELEC Administrative Boards extended the Right of Opinion to SBS as an important step to further facilitate its effective and valuable contribution to the European standardisation process. The Right of Opinion is an additional right to the right to submit comments at the Enquiry and Final Vote stage, which is already granted to the 4 Annex III Partner Organisations (ANEC, ECOS, ETUC and SBS).

    In addition, the Boards further encouraged SBS to reinforce their activities with national SMEs and SME associations in engaging with CEN and CENELEC Members to exploit the full benefits of the national delegation principle.

    This new step is fully aligned with CEN and CENELEC’s strategic objective to foster an inclusive CEN and CENELEC system as the gateway to standardisation in Europe, as laid out in the CEN-CENELEC Strategy 2030 and is in line with the European Standardisation Strategy, in particular pillar III on upholding the integrity, inclusiveness and accessibility of the European standardisation system.

  9. Last Call for LEVA-EU Standardization Workshop 27/02

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    Tomorrow, Tuesday 27 February, LEVA-EU is presenting an exclusive workshop on standardization for light, electric vehicles, including EPACs, E-Cargocycles, E-Scooters, etc. This insightful event is co-organized with  SBS and promises a deep dive into the realm of standardization, offering invaluable information.

    The event will take place online only from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Participation in the workshop is free for LEVA-EU and for SBS Members. Non-members pay € 175 for one participant, € 325 for 2 and € 450 for three. Participants must register in advance here: https://rb.gy/aq6s9p.

    Upon registration (members) and payment (non-members), we will send you an invitation with a online link to the workshop shortly before the start of the meeting.

    The agenda is as follows:

    1. Short presentation LEVA-EU and SBS

    2. What are standards?

    3. Why European/international standards?

    4. How is a standard being made?

    5. How is a standard structured?

    6. What’s the procedure to make and vote standards?

    7. Why and how participate?

    8. What’s the relation between standards and legislation?

    9. What is (the use of) harmonizing standards?

    10. How is a standard applied/used?

    11. Which standards, relevant for light electric vehicles are currently being drafted?

    12. What are the relevant published standards?