EU Parliament adopts new standardization rules
The European standardization will officially arrive with some delay in the Internet age. For the European Parliament on Tuesday voted by a large majority of changes to a draft of the European Commission for a revision of the European standardization and regulation related guidelines. According to the new version can continue under certain conditions as specifications in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs) that are not of standards organizations such as the DIN (German Institute for Standardization), ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and ETSI (European Institute Telecommunications Standards) come to be recognized as equal international standards.
The report of the conservative Italian MPs Lara Comi was adopted with 639 votes to 18 with 17 abstentions. It says now, could decide after consulting the European standardization organizations and relevant stakeholders support, making reference to any specifications regarding Such standards may then be used in public procurement by public authorities. This requires that the specification "on the basis of cooperation and consensus" was compiled and not favor any particular interest group.
The rules recognize that in addition to national, European and international standards organizations and fora and consortia develop technical specifications. This refers to such standards or Web formats such as HTML, which are adopted by international bodies such as the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) or the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). Such specifications are according to the report "useful in situations for which there are no standards." Especially due to the international dimension of such consortia were opened in this way non-EU markets. In addition, technical barriers to trade would be kept within limits. Europe should promote contacts between the standardization organizations and forums such. It is however important to ensure is that "no competing standardization system".
Stumbling block was previously that the reform also be socially acceptable standards that are considered difficult to reconcile with free software. Were recognized as specifications that are licensed under so-called FRAND terms (Fair, Reasonable And Non-Discriminatory) had criticized as the Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure (FFII). So even could of "patent cartels" promoted standards are approved. The FFII calls so that MPs actually commit the use of free and open standards, which also potentially contained patents would be made irrevocably available with remuneration. The Parliament member states now have opened the way on their own according to stringent specifications as set up for data formats for e-government.
The work of the national and European standardization organizations should also be put on a broader level and transparent. This will have to make an online "easy to-use mechanism for consultation of all relevant stakeholders to submit comments on draft standards" available and organize "virtual meetings". In particular, an "appropriate representation and participation" of authorities, SMEs, consumer advocates and civil society groups must be ensured. In addition to summaries of standards are available for free on the Web.
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