SBS Annual Report 2024: A Comprehensive Review of SME Advocacy in European Standardisation
This detailed report thoroughly examines our past year’s activities, achievements, and significant impact, highlighting our unwavering commitment to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across Europe.
2024 was an important year for Small Business Standards and the broader European standardisation system. The start of a new EU legislative cycle with the election of a new European Parliament and Commission offered a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the role of SMEs in shaping Europe’s standardisation agenda. SBS responded by publishing its 2024–2029 Manifesto, which outlines our key priorities for a more inclusive, transparent, and SME-friendly standardisation system.
Among our most significant achievements was being granted the Right of Opinion by CEN and CENELEC. This long-awaited recognition places SBS on equal footing with other Annex III organisations and strengthens our ability to ensure SME perspectives are reflected in European standards.
2024 also saw SBS contributing to the evaluation of Regulation 1025/2012 on European Standardisation. In addition to contributing to public consultations and stakeholder interviews, SBS co-led the drafting of a report on national inclusiveness within the High-Level Forum on European Standardisation. The report, published in September, includes concrete recommendations to strengthen inclusiveness at national level and should serve as a key reference for the evaluation and the future direction of European standardisation policy. The challenge now lies in turning these recommendations into action.
In parallel, SBS expanded its educational and awareness-raising efforts. The launch of the EDU4Standards project and the second edition of our flagship Meeting Standards campaign are clear illustrations of our commitment to building a future where SMEs are equipped to engage in and benefit from standardisation.
Review the full SBS Annual Report 2024 here:
