Standardisation may not be entrepreneur’s first priority. However, it can be strategic for a startup, especially for those developing highly innovative new technologies. Anika Ley, Project Manager at ILNAS, the national standardisation body, tells us more about the importance of this aspect for businesses.
Why are standards so important for large but also for small businesses?
“Standards are common and harmonised rules and guidelines, which leverage best practices to provide solutions to problems and can actually be strategic tools for companies, regardless of their size.
Companies can choose between different levels of involvement when it comes to standardisation, ranging from the simple use and implementation of existing standards, to the active participation in the standards development process, by either making a proposal for a new standard to be developed or participating in an already ongoing project.
The standardisation process gives companies the chance to influence the development of standards according to their needs.” Anika Ley, Project Manager at ILNAS
Each level of involvement comes with different opportunities and benefits. Indeed, while the use of standards can help companies fulfil market requirements and enhance business practices, getting actively involved in the standardisation process gives companies the chance to influence the development of standards according to their needs.
In general, standards also create trust in innovative solutions and ensure their interoperability in order to facilitate their acceptance on the market.”
Which sectors are the most affected by standardisation?
“Globalisation and technological progress have led to an increased need for standardisation across all sectors. However, it is true that some sectors are more affected than others are.
On a national level, we have identified three growth sectors strongly affected by standardisation: construction, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and aerospace.”
Are startups affected by standards?
“Actually, startups in particular, can gain a lot from standardisation, as they tend to involve strongly innovative technologies, products or services.
One of the main challenges for startups often is to build confidence amongst potential customers and consumers, and standardisation can be the ideal tool to achieve this.” Anika Ley, Project Manager at ILNAS
Indeed, as already mentioned, standards can help increase trust, ensure interoperability, and as such act as an accelerator for innovation to access domestic and global markets.
One of the main challenges for startups often is to build confidence amongst potential customers and consumers, and standardisation can be the ideal tool to achieve this.”
What are ILNAS main goals?
“Our main goals are to promote the use of relevant technical standards, but also to foster and support the involvement of national players in the standardisation process.
To achieve this, we offer among others, trainings and workshops in standardisation, tailored services such as standards watches, and regularly share relevant information through white papers, technical reports and sectoral normative analyses.
At the same time, ILNAS offers interested parties the possibility to search and purchase national, European and international standards, published by the standardisation organisations such as ILNAS, DIN, CEN, CENELEC, ETSI, ISO and IEC through the ILNAS e-shop. There is also the possibility to consult standards free of charge but in read-only mode on one of our many reading stations across the country.”
Do you offer special services to start-ups?
“In general, our services are available to all national economic players, regardless of their sector of activity and size. Thus, startups are always welcome to get in touch with us, to see how we can support them in their standardisation efforts.
Recently, we also introduced a discounted rate of 50% for the purchase of standards.” Anika Ley, Project Manager at ILNAS
We will be happy to assist with information sessions, tailored standards landscape analyses and to work together on identifying how standards can support their priorities and which opportunities exist related to an active participation in the standards development process.
Recently, we also introduced a discounted rate of 50% for the purchase of standards (European and international) on our e-shop by registered national start-ups. In order to be able to take advantage of this offer, start-ups are kindly invited to contact us via e-mail (normalisation@ilnas.etat.lu) or by phone (+352 247 743 40).”
