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SME´s and Standardization

SME´s and Standardization. Petr Votoupal, Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU. What does it mean „SME“?. Official definition according to three threshold s - employed workers - total assets - yearly turnover

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SME´s and Standardization

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  1. SME´s and Standardization Petr Votoupal, Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU

  2. What does it mean „SME“? • Official definition according to three thresholds -employed workers -total assets -yearly turnover • Size matters but important is also segment of the market, sector, technology and country (or region).

  3. SME´s - small, but significant • SME´s employ 120 mil. workers (2/3 of the total employees in the private sector). • Micro-enterprises provide 35% of the total employement in the EU. Large companies 34%! • SME´s constitute 99% of enterprises in Europe. • In the last 10 years large companies shed employees, small are adding employment.

  4. SME´s additional value • Interest in community, linkages to local development; • Source of national economic vitality and innovative capacity; • More flexibility than large corporations.

  5. Benefits of Standardizations • Better understanding (common language for all professionals); • Better regulation (definition of basic requirements and leaving technical details to standardization process); • Better product circulation (widespread markets and lower cost of adaptation). Through standardisation all parties can realise mutual gains but only by making mutually consistent decisions.

  6. Weaknesses of the system for SME´s Most of the standards are • Unfamiliar to SME´s • Unsuited to the need of SME´s (difficult to read, cross-referenced..) • Often non-applicable to specific work of SME´s

  7. WHY? • Scarcity of resources and available experts • Language • Lack of time • Costs without immediate return Weak involvement of SME´s in standardization as the result

  8. Demands • Standards have to be understandable and more simple; • National adaptation and application standards have to be findable and must be available; • Price of the standards has to be proportionate for SME´s; • Participation of the SME´s in standards making shall be promoted.

  9. Thank you for the attention Petr_Votoupal@mzv.cz

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