VDA Managing Director Dr. Rudolf Bencker regarding Reform of Standards Regulation

VDA Managing Director Dr. Rudolf Bencker: 

"Standards are a strategic instrument in the automotive industry for promoting innovation, accelerating the market launch of technological developments, and sustainably strengthening Europe's competitiveness. Against this backdrop, we generally welcome the proposed reform of the Standards Regulation.

Particularly noteworthy are the planned measures to accelerate standardization processes, as this will allow standards to be provided more quickly.

At the same time, however, the right balance is important when it comes to the specific design of the regulations: the goal of making greater use of standardization as a strategic element must not call into question the proven principle of 'international first'. Because one thing is clear: International standards from ISO and IEC are a central prerequisite for open markets and global competitiveness.

Equally important: The necessary acceleration of standardization processes must not be unilaterally detrimental to the economic actors involved. Deadlines for developing standards must continue to take into account the necessary coordination and decision-making processes.

Furthermore, transparency and voluntary participation must remain fundamental principles of standardization work. To follow transparent processes in the development of norms and standards is an acknowledged practice in the automotive industry.

Last but not least, the autonomy of the European Standards Organizations (ESOs) must not be further restricted by the reorganization of the Standards Regulation. Their role remains indispensable for the effectiveness of the European standardization system."