Today the European Commission launched a public consultation on Standards for the Digital Single Market (DSM). With this consultation, the Commission seeks input from Standards Development Organisations, companies, researchers, stakeholders' associations, public authorities and any interested party. The consultation is open until 16 December.
Standards are important tools for making different systems work together and stimulating the emergence of new eco-systems across a Digital Single Market of more than 500 million people in Europe. They can boost innovation and reinforce the competitiveness of European industry.

Andrus Ansip, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, said: "We need common standards and interoperability to make the best of fast-growing sectors such as cloud computing and the Internet of Things. We also need them to promote e-government services around Europe and a more inclusive e-society. Systems must be able to connect and 'talk' to other digital devices – across countries and sectors. Europe should be on top of standard-setting worldwide."

Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, said: "Standards are an essential component of the Single Market. For Europe to be at the cutting edge of innovation, our standards need to adapt quickly and effectively to the emergence of new technologies and to internationalisation."

Günther H. Oettinger, Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society, said: "Europe cannot be at the forefront of the digital revolution with a fragmented digital market. It is essential to have common standards and interoperable solutions throughout products and services. The digital economy should not be developed in locked environments and platforms."

The Commission is gathering views on priorities for standards in key technology areas which are critical to achieving the DSM and which, once delivered, can constitute a technological foundation upon which other standards can be built. The Commission is looking for input on standards in:
•5G communications
•cloud computing
•cybersecurity
•data-driven services and applications
•digitisation of European industry
•eHealth
•Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
•Internet of Things
•Smart Cities and efficient energy use

The contributions to this consultation will serve to build an ICT Priority Standards Plan, as set out in the Digital Single Market strategy presented by the Commission on 6 May.

Public consultation on standards for the Digital Single Market