Orgalim looks forward to first meeting of the High-Level Forum on European Standardisation

18 January 2023

Friday 20 January sees the first meet...

Friday 20 January sees the first meeting of the High-Level Forum on European Standardisation, a European Commission initiative to identify standardisation priorities in support of EU policies and legislation. Orgalim is represented on the Forum by Dr. Gunther Kegel, CEO of Pepperl+Fuchs SE.  

"I have high expectations on the role of the High-Level Forum, including on its ability to contribute to simplifying and shortening the process of developing harmonised standards, and to addressing standardisation bottlenecks," said Dr. Kegel. To achieve its strategic objectives and maintain European leadership in international standardisation, he said, the Forum needs to look at practical matters: improve harmonised standardisation, ensure that transition periods in new legislation are realistic, and acknowledge the market-driven nature of standardisation. 

  I have high expectations on the role of the High-Level Forum, including on its ability to contribute to simplifying and shortening the process of developing harmonised standards, and to addressing standardisation bottlenecks. 

Dr. Gunther Kegel

Standards are at the core of the Single Market and key to the EU´s economic integration that is imperative in today’s geopolitical context more than ever, as Orgalim said in a joint industry statement issued last April. They help manufacturers ensure the interoperability of products and services, reduce costs, improve safety and foster innovation. Our industries are therefore deeply committed to ensuring the European standardisation system remains fit for purpose as we enter a new net-zero industrial age.

Part of the High-Level Forum’s role will also be to seek to enhance Europe’s leadership in global standards. Electrical, machinery and information technology products are used worldwide and are global goods. Our industry needs timely international standards in which Europe's requirements and positions are sufficiently reflected, to support competitiveness.