1. External visibility and promotion project to assist SMEs in Europe
Jappe van der Zwan m.sc.
Manager NEN-Business Development
Projectleader SMEST
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

2. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Program
Project information
Project partners
General approach
Toolkit
Preliminary findings
Conclusion
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

3. Project information (1)
Basics
Important role of SMEs in European economy (95% of enterprises, 70% of jobs, 50% of added value)
Important role of standardization in European economy (foundation for growth, promoting market access, encouraging innovation)
Link standardization, innovation and SMEs
Standardization can enable innovation and act as barrier
Organisations can benefit from using and developing infrastructure
SMEs do not benefit enough from standards and standardization
Time for action! Time for SMEST-project!
Key role for National Standardization Bodies (NSBs)
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

4. Project information (2)
Objective
Promote involvement SMEs from 12 new CEN/CENELEC NSB members in the European standardization process by developing a toolkit and organising train the trainer activities
Planning
Start: February 2008
Finish: December 2009
Deliverables
Toolkit
Train the trainers programme
Availability of the toolkit to other parties
Website (
One day final workshop
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

5. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Project partners
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

6. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
General approach
Practical approach
Analysis 23 ‘Best practices’ EIM-report SMEs and standardisation in Europe
Inventory additional ‘Best practices’
Connect to other relevant projects
‘Acces to standardization (EIM)’
CEN/CENELEC SME Acces project
CEN/BT/WG 202 “SME Guide”
Theoretical approach
Definition of objective, basic principles, target group and content toolkit
Develop toolkit by combining approaches
Train the trainer program
Day 1: Effective use of the toolkit
Day 2: SME Awareness raising event
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

7. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Toolkit (1)
Objective
Provide tools to help CEN/CENELEC NSBs to approach SMEs in terms of awareness, information and participation
Awareness (general)
How can standards support business?
How are standards related to regulation?
Information (standards)
Which standards are relevant for my product or service?
How should I use those standards?
Participation (standardization)
What is the added value to participate in standardization?
How can I participate?
=> In line with barrier model used in CEN/CENELEC SME Acces project
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

8. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Toolkit (2)
Target group
Standardizers
SMEs (not the primary target group)
Basic principles
Keep it Short and Simple (KISS)
Less is more
Website = toolkit
National approach works: toolkit developed as local information points
=> A toolkit is something practical!
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

9. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Toolkit (3)
Using the toolkit
Not one perfect solution available
Built on existing tools
Toolkit consists of measures (44) and examples (> 100)
NSBs can choose suitable measures
Rating system included to score effectiveness of measure
=> First step to dynamic knowledge system
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

10. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Toolkit (4)
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

11. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Toolkit (5)
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

12. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Toolkit (7)
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

13. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Toolkit (8)
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

14. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Toolkit (8)
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

15. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Toolkit (9)
Some measures and examples:
Disseminate promotional material via chambers of commerce
Provide information via professional organizations and other information points
Create a specific SME committee
Train NSB staff in acquisition/business development
Create fact sheets about committees/sectors
Translate standards
Distribute a CD-ROM or USB-stick with catalogue to SMEs
Use testimonials of SME participants
Perform a good structured stakeholder analysis
=> Practical examples included (presentations, promotion material, acquisiution toolkit, USP/USB etc.)
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

16. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Workshops (1)
2-day workshop in 12 countries
Day 1: train the trainers within the NSB to effectively use the toolkit => information passed on to colleagues.
Day 2: seminar for SMEs to create awareness on standardization) => standardization offers a powerful tool for SMEs; interested organisations contact the NSB for information.
Seminar standardized format, organised by NSB supported by SMEST-projectteam
Kick off workshops SME week in Prague (6 may 2009)
Final open workshop in Brussels on 19 november 2009
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

17. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Workshops (2)
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

18. ‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Preliminary findings
Essential to understand SMEs problems/position with respect to awareness, information and participation
Funding model critical and different amongst NSBs
No perfect solution, but there are some commonalities
Involvement of professional organisations
Focus on awareness and information; participation for professional organisations
Clear contact point is important
Focus on practical problems, not on standards
Investment in time and resources necessary
Regional approach most effective
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May

19. Conclusion Thank you for your attention!
Involvement of SMEs in standardization has full attention of CEN/CENELEC and NSBs!
The toolkit is available via and ready to use!
Start selecting and implementing measures
Share experiences (rating system)
Convert toolkit into a dynamic knowledge system
Thank you for your attention!
For more information
Local National Standardization Body or
Mr. Jappe van der Zwan
Telephone: 0031(0)
‘Better access of SMEs to standardization’
Prague 6 May