Tag Archive: standards

  1. Call for activities during the Meeting Standards Week

    Comments Off on Call for activities during the Meeting Standards Week

    Source: Meeting Standards

    Meeting Standards, the European initiative created by Small Business Standards (SBS) which is dedicated to helping Small and Medium-sized Enterprises understand and benefit from standardisation, has issued a call for activities to be a part of the 2026 Meeting Standards Week.

    Taking place from 22-30 June, Meeting Standards Week is a campaign specifically designed to raise awareness among SMEs about standards, and enabling them to discover how standardisation can help their business thrive. It was created based on a simple, but powerful, observation that SMEs are mostly absent from the standardisation tables and processes that impact their industries.

    Standardisation has an effect on virtually every sector, and the light electric vehicle (LEV) is of course no exception. SBS has noted that SMEs often are lacking in the resources and confidence to engage with standardisation, and says of Meeting Standards Week that it “mobilises standards bodies and SME organisations from across Europe to organise a wide and diverse range of activities: workshops, webinars, roundtables, training sessions and networking events, all tailored to help small businesses understand the value of standards and take an active role in shaping them.”

    Find out more about submitting an activity to be included in Meeting Standards Week here.

  2. Eddie Eccleston reappointed as SBS-expert

    Comments Off on Eddie Eccleston reappointed as SBS-expert

    SBS, Small Business Standards, this year appointed 78 experts to standardisation bodies at European and International level. These experts cover more than 260 Technical Committees (TC) and Working Groups (WG). 

    One of these 78 experts is LEVA-EU’s Eddie Eccleston, who works for the light electric vehicle sector in TC333, both in WG5 – EPACs and WG9 (e) carriercycles. Eddie Eccleston will organise at least two mirror committee meetings this year. These meetings will be open to all SMEs, interested in an update on standardisation for LEVs. If in the meantime you have any question concerning standardisation, you can contact him at eddie@leva-eu.com.

    The experts met in Brussels for their annual meeting to discuss the latest developments in European policy as well as the European and International standards organisations with representatives from the European Commission, DG GROW and DG CNECT, and representatives from CEN-CENELEC (European Committee for Standardization/ European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Among other things, the following topics were discussed: revision of the Regulation 1025, which is the basis for the representation of SMEs in the standardisation process, and the SBS position on the future of the European Standardisation System, key digital standardisation areas in 2026 and the work of SBS in the high-level forum on standardisation. 

    SBS presented its updated version of the SBS SME Compatibility Test, a tool which can be used to evaluate the SME compatibility of a standard at different stages of its development. The Compatibility Test is based on CEN-CENELEC and ISO Guide 17 “Guidance for writing standards taking into account micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) needs”. The Compatibility Test can be used both by standards developers and standards users, and is based on a mix of 25 multiple choice and open questions to assess the SME-friendliness of any given standard, whether already published or still under development. The SBS SME Compatibility Test provides concrete guidance on how to draft standards following the needs and specificities of SMEs and gives an even clearer picture of where existing standards can and should improve to make sure that SMEs can use them and fully reap their benefits.

    SBS also informed about the meeting standards campaign which will take place this year from 22 to 30 June 2026.

    This was the first experts’ meeting chaired by the SBS Secretary General Jon Echanove who started working for SBS in November 2025.

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

    Comments Off on SBS publishes its new and updated SME Compatibility Test for Standards

    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/.

  4. The US’s CPSC nears introduction of a standard for micromobility lithium-ion batteries

    Comments Off on The US’s CPSC nears introduction of a standard for micromobility lithium-ion batteries

    Source: Crowell

    The US’s Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has placed a proposed safety standard for lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility products back onto its agenda, after a period of flux for the rule.

    The draft standard is intended to address potential risks of injury and death associated with lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility products including e-bikes and e-scooters, as well as replaceable battery packs, conversion kits and chargers sold separately. If passed, the rule would be codified as a consumer product safety standard, imposing performance requirements on both original electric systems installed in LEVs, and in the aftermarket of electrical products described above.

    The proposal would involve modifications to the performance requirements which are outlined in the current voluntary standards for lithium-ion batteries in micromobility products:

    • UL 2849-20 (Standard for Safety for Electrical Systems for eBikes)
    • UL 2272-24 (Standard for Safety for Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices)
    • UL 2271-23 (Standard for Safety for Batteries for Use in Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) Applications)

    The update about the draft standard came in a statement issued by Acting Chairman and current sole Commissioner of the CPSC, Peter Feldman on August 21, in which he announced several advancements of “critical safety standards” to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).

  5. LEVA-EU at the International Cargo Bike Festival, Utrecht — 13–14 October

    Comments Off on LEVA-EU at the International Cargo Bike Festival, Utrecht — 13–14 October

    LEVA-EU will exhibit at the International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF) in Jaarbeurs Utrecht on 13–14 October. We’ll use this platform to meet businesses across the e-cargo bike value chain and to discuss fast-moving changes in EU regulations and standards—especially the ZIV proposal and the EU Battery Regulation—that will shape the sector’s path in the coming years.

    Why this matters now

    The regulatory landscape for e-cargo bikes is shifting on two fronts:

    • EU Battery Regulation: New obligations are phasing in step by step. Each guidance note and deadline clarifies what manufacturers and suppliers must do in practice.
    • EN 17860 series: For the first time, the sector has a comprehensive, purpose-built set of technical requirements and test methods for e-cargo bikes. Under the current Machinery Directive framework, this enables manufacturers to place demonstrably safe vehicles on the market.

    At the same time, the ZIV proposal could push a large share of today’s e-cargo bikes out of the EPAC framework and into Regulation (EU) 168/2013 type-approval—an ill-suited, moped-/motorcycle-oriented regime that would overhaul compliance pathways, add significant fixed testing and certification costs, and jeopardize the availability of many viable models.

    What LEVA-EU will do at ICBF

    • Explain the changes: We’ll map the practical implications of the Battery Regulation, EN 17860-standards, and the ZIV proposal for manufacturers, importers, and suppliers.
    • Listen and collect input: Your operational realities—design choices, component sourcing, documentation, testing—will inform our advocacy.
    • Coordinate industry response: We’ll help align positions to protect fair, proportionate, and innovation-friendly rules.

    Free information session (open to all professional visitors)

    LEVA-EU will host a free info meeting on standardisation and compliance, focusing on:

    • The Battery Regulation: upcoming obligations and what to prepare now
    • EN 17860: how to use the series to demonstrate safety and conformity
    • The ZIV proposal: risks of narrowing the EPAC definition and pushing innovative LEVs—such as e-cargo bikes and vehicles adapted for people with disabilities—into type-approval, with knock-on effects for costs, time-to-market, and inclusion

    Timing and room details will be announced shortly. Please check back or contact us to receive the update.

    Meet us at ICBF
    For an appointment during the festival, contact Annick Roetynck, LEVA-EU Manager: annick@leva-eu.com. Annick will be on site on both exhibition days.

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

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

    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

  7. LEVA-EU at ICBF to Support E-Cargo Bike Companies with Key Regulatory Updates & Guidance

    Comments Off on LEVA-EU at ICBF to Support E-Cargo Bike Companies with Key Regulatory Updates & Guidance

    LEVA-EU will have a booth at the International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF) in Utrecht, Netherlands, on October 25th and 26th. This event offers LEVA-EU a unique opportunity to engage with businesses in the e-cargo bike sector and discuss critical changes in regulations and standards. With the recent release of the long-awaited EN 17860 standards, new Battery and Machinery Regulations, and the Right to Repair Directive, the sector is on the brink of significant transformation.

    Fundamental regulatory changes for e-cargo bikes are closer than ever. The European Commission has recently adopted new urban mobility policy recommendations, which could reshape the technical framework for light electric vehicles, including e-cargo bikes. These recommendations could potentially result in the removal of Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) from Regulation 168/2013 and the Machinery Directive. That could, in turn, allow for the lifting of the restrictive 250W power limit and for technologies other than pedal assistance only. This change would unlock new opportunities for developing e-cargo bikes capable of carrying heavier loads, giving the sector much-needed freedom and growth potential.

    At the ICBF, LEVA-EU will be available at the Jaarbeurs Utrecht to provide insights into these regulatory developments and to listen to the concerns of industry players. In addition, LEVA-EU will host a free information session on standardisation on Friday, October 25th, from 12:00 to 14:00, open to all professional visitors. Supported by SBS, this session will guide participants through the intricacies of standardisation, including how standards are developed, approved, and connected to legislation, as well as how companies can get involved in the process.

    LEVA-EU will also provide a detailed update on the current state of e-cargo bike standards, including the impact of the new Machinery and Battery Regulations. With CENELEC tasked by the European Commission to develop new standards for batteries in light electric vehicles, this session will cover everything professionals need to know. There will also be plenty of time for questions and discussion.

    Additionally, ICBF will mark the launch of LEVA-EU’s annual membership promotion. New members can sign up starting November 1st, receiving two bonus months of membership through December 31st of the following year. Businesses that join on October 25th or 26th will also benefit from this special offer.

    For an appointment with LEVA-EU at ICBF, please contact LEVA-EU Manager Annick Roetynck, annick@leva-eu.com. She will be present on Friday and Saturday. LEVA-EU Technical Director, Bram Rotthier, will be at ICBF on Friday only.

    Don’t miss this chance to stay informed and connected in the evolving world of e-cargo bikes!

  8. EU Standardization News

    Comments Off on EU Standardization News

    HAS assessment contract re-established
     The European Commission has signed a new contract with Ernst & Young for the HAS (Harmonised Standards) assessment process. Ernst & Young was the previous contractor until the beginning of 2022. This means that the HAS consultants system will be restored shortly and Technical Committees will therefore be able to request assessments of harmonised standards. CEN and CENELEC have stated they will request HAS assessments in the following order:

    • Documents received for Formal Vote;
    • Documents received for Enquiry and or which Enquiry has started;
    • On ad-hoc basis: all other documents (e.g first working drafts, documents not assessed previously and before publication).

    Webinar on how to draft machinery harmonised standards
     On 6 October, from 14.00 till 16.30, CEN and CENELEC will organise a webinar with practical information on how to prepare harmonised standards under the Machinery Directive. The workshop will provide advice on how to write the informative annex (Annex Z) with information on the relation between the essential requirements of the Machinery Directive and the clauses of the standard providing presumption of conformity with those requirements (once the reference of the standard reference is published in the Official Journal).
    Registration is mandatory and is available here: https://cencenelec.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_C22eFvsoRmC99VhY_xmUNA

  9. SBS-Survey to identify key areas of standardisation for SMEs

    Comments Off on SBS-Survey to identify key areas of standardisation for SMEs

    SBS launched a study at the end of 2020 to identify key areas of standardisation for SMEs spanning the next five years. Both European and international standards cover an extremely broad range of goods and services, and the number of standards being developed or revised is growing every year. The study will assist SBS in focussing its activities on standardisation areas that have been identified as especially relevant and strategic from the SME perspective.

    As a part of this effort, SBS has developed a questionnaire to be completed by SMEs to assist in prioritising sectors and topics of particular SME relevance. The deadline for submission of the questionnaire is 15 July 2021. The questionnaire is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish here