Brussels, 7 October 2011 - The SME Standardization Toolkit (SMEST2) project has finalized the evaluation of the first version of the toolkit developed in 2009 and 2010. Based on the results and recommendation of SMEST1 an improved toolkit is currently being developed. Further analysis will be made of the standardization activities and potential benefits of standardization to SMEs.

The SME Standardization Toolkit (SMEST2) project started in January 2011 to strengthen and promote the links between SMEs and standardization in terms of awareness of standardization, information on standardization and participation in standardization. The project will result in a new website which will offer information and guidance for SME’s. The website will give access to an improved toolkit and serve as a platform to exchange knowledge, information, best practices and experiences on the involvement of SME’s in European standardization.

The EC and EFTA are funding the project which is carried out by CEN (European Committee for Standardization), CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), NORMAPME (European Office of Craft/Trades and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises for Standardization) and the National Standards Bodies of Austria (ASI), Germany (DIN) and The Netherlands (NEN).

As SME associations are a key player in the promotion of standardization among SME’s, it is essential to support them with the necessary information and activities. Starting in October, NORMAPME will carry out an assessment to analyze the current relationship between SME associations and National Standardization Bodies (NSB’s), the existing activities and the potential barriers. The analyses will result in best practices and opportunities of national and European sectorial cooperation. The recommendations will be converted into a leaflet made available in 27 languages to inform national stakeholders and NSB’s on the mutual benefit of the involvement of SME’s in standardization.

More information on the SMEST 2 project is available on the CEN-CENELEC website.

Background
Small businesses play a central role in the European economy. They represent 95% of
the business in Europe and provide 55% of the total jobs in the private sector.
Standards, within the European market, have played an essential role in the building of
the internal market, allowing both manufacturers and consumers to benefit from the
elimination of technical barriers to trade while fulfilling the essential safety requirements
that standardization has always guaranteed. Adequate stakeholder participation is
essential to the European standardization process. However, the representation of SMEs
in European standardization is often considered insufficient.

Contacts
NEN: Tanja van Tooren-Pijpaert
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Christine Tack
NORMAPME: Andrea Oel-Brettschneider