How SME can lead the standardization activities? The example of Innovation Management guidance for startups and SMEs.

For start-ups and SMEs, standards can foster confidence and facilitate access to new markets by ensuring interoperability, trust, and quality. However, smaller organisations often face significant challenges in engaging with and leading standardisation activities — including limited awareness of the value of standards, and a lack of understanding of the procedural and strategic aspects of standards development.

This workshop aims to bridge that gap by offering a practical, case-based exploration of the early stages of standards development. Using the New Work Item Proposal (NWIP) on Innovation Management Guidance for Startups and SMEs as a real-world example, participants will gain insights into how SMEs can take an active role in shaping standards that reflect their needs and innovation realities.

The session will outline the preliminary stage, the proposal submission process, and the completion of Form 4, while also presenting tools and support mechanisms available through the SBS network, including the compatibility test.

By the end of the session, participants will have a clearer understanding of how SMEs can initiate and lead standardisation work, contributing to a more inclusive and dynamic standards ecosystem.