Standards and SMEs: How standards can benefit smaller enterprises

SMEs often struggled to engage with standards due to their complexity and the costs associated with implementation. However, the webinar highlighted how adopting standards could lead to stronger business relationships, greater market access, and new technical innovations. Through discussions with standards experts and SME representatives, the session explored how standards could be useful tools for SMEs rather than costly barriers. It showed how understanding the standardisation process and identifying ways for SMEs to contribute could open new opportunities, enhance technical expertise, and lead to more trusted products. As most standards were still not drafted with SMEs in mind, the webinar stressed the importance of increasing SME involvement in standardisation. The Cyberstand.eu project was presented as a means of support to help SMEs gain access and have their voices heard. Hosted by DIGITAL SME, Small Business Standards, and Cyberstand, the session offered practical guidance on how SMEs could benefit from standards and actively participate in shaping them.