28th May 2013
SMEs throughout Europe can use Standardisation as a means to enhance their competitive advantage - Perry
‘SMEs and Standardisation – at the heart of European economic renewal’
SMEs throughout Europe can use Standardisation as a means to enhance their competitive advantage - Perry
- Implementing Standards enables companies to improve their efficiency and competitiveness, minimise waste and reduce costs
- European standardization is essential to Europe’s global competitiveness, growth and innovation, as well as inspiring consumer confidence
Check Against Delivery
28 May 2013
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen.
First of all I would like to thank CEN and CENELEC for organising this very worthwhile conference today, and for inviting me to speak to you, given that Ireland currently holds the Presidency of the European Union. When I was asked at the Conference on the Role of Standards in Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) in Dublin last February, I was delighted to accept your kind invitation.
Over the last 3 or 4 years, CEN and CENELEC have put in place a programme to help SMEs benefit from Standards and improve access to the standardization process.
On behalf of the Irish Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), I congratulate you on your achievements at the conclusion of the SMEST 2 Project.
In the course of a very interesting and exciting programme, the speakers here today, have raised many important issues in promoting and developing the use of Standards by SMEs across Europe, such as:
- Raising an awareness of Standards;
- Influencing Standards at every stage of development;
- Knowing which Standards should apply in the context of an individual business.
Once these basic tenets have been grasped, SMEs throughout Europe can use Standardisation as a means to enhance their competitive advantage.
We all know that the decision to embrace and implement Standards is a brave and commendable one, particularly for SMEs in a time when resources are scarce.
However, the commitment made by SMEs to Standards has the potential to contribute, not just to their business, but to the wider European economy. Standards are vital in the current economic climate. Implementing them in business enables companies to improve their efficiency and competitiveness, minimise waste and reduce costs. European standardization is essential to Europe’s global competitiveness, growth and innovation, as well as inspiring consumer confidence.
In Ireland, we in Government see Standardization as being crucially important in helping businesses to grow. To that end, Standardization features prominently in our Action Plan for Jobs 2013, which contains some 330 Action Points across 15 Government Departments and 46 State Agencies. In particular, Enterprise Ireland, which promotes the development of Irish enterprise, and the National Standards Authority of Ireland are working closely together to promote the importance of Standards in helping SMEs to grow.
In addition, my colleagues in the National Standards Authority of Ireland recently commissioned nationwide research on the value and benefits of Standards, which was the first of its kind in Ireland. Managing Directors and CEOs of Irish businesses – from sectors such as Manufacturing, Construction, Retail, Wholesale, Trade, Hotels, Restaurants, Bars, Leisure Services and Financial Services – responded to a telephone survey and the results were very interesting.
It showed that 4 out of 5 Irish companies who use Standards see a direct benefit to their business. 3 in 4 Managing Directors and CEOs agreed that companies using Standards have stronger reputations. Two thirds agreed that applying Standards enables easier access to international markets and, we are seeing a growing trend of European and international customers who expect such certified Standards as the minimum entry level for doing business with Irish companies.
A majority agreed that companies who apply standards are more likely to be successful in the long run.
And - most importantly in the context of today’s event - 97% of Managing Directors in companies that use Standards believe that they are more likely to create new jobs than those that do not.
So there is a clear return on investment from implementing Standards. These are just some of the very encouraging results that should give hope to business owners and employees in SMEs who are weighing up the value of getting involved in Standards.
We are all aware of just how significant SMEs are for job creation and economic renewal:
- Europe’s 23 million SMEs account for two thirds of jobs in the private sector;
- Around 80% of new jobs over the past five years have been created by SMEs;
- Approximately 30% of European SMEs have had some sort of international business activities in recent years, with half having activities beyond the Single Market.
Standards affect every aspect of our day-to-day lives, even though a lot of the time we may not be aware of it, or if we are, we sometimes take it for granted.
Whether it is our children’s toys, the cars we drive, the food we eat, they ensure the quality and safety of products and services. They also make it easier for businesses to sell products and services at an international level. Standards help to create a level playing field, allowing SMEs to compete with much larger companies, attract new customers, and access global markets.
The European economy needs Standards for innovation. Think for a moment about the cutting-edge Mobile Telecommunications industry – where would it be without the GSM Standard, which allows us to connect with each other using different mobile phones? What will be the next technology or GSM Standard?
There are many European SMEs involved in technology out there. Maybe they have the answer. But one thing is certain - they will need Standards to bring their innovation to the market.
European services are another area where new export markets for SMEs can be opened. 90% of services bought in Europe are bought within individual countries. The service market can be greatly expanded and trading barriers broken down through the development and implementation of Standards for the Service industry.
CEN and CENELEC, their members, the European Commission, standards bodies, EFTA, national and international SME associations - have all demonstrated that they are taking SMEs and their needs seriously. There is support and information out there, ready and waiting to be taken up.
And it is not just about SMEs. Consumers in Europe also benefit from Standards; they are protected by Standards, and can contribute to their development.
In Ireland, NSAI has invited members of the public to get involved in the development of Standards through the Your Standards, Your Say, portal on their website.
It is my hope that more and more large companies and SMEs will invest in Standards so they, and the economy, can realise the benefits and wear the Standards ‘badge’ with pride.
Raising awareness about Standardization is the most important next step. Often SMEs do not know how to take advantage of the opportunities offered by European Standards. But all of that is changing. Thanks to CEN and CENELEC, the toolkit is ready. Now it is time for all of us to play our part in getting the message out there.
When we go back home after this event we need to keep momentum going – tell your colleagues, members, networks of business contacts, customers, about the benefits out there. Encourage SMEs to get involved. The tools are there to be exploited; the knowledge and expertise in this room needs to be shared.
SME businesses can be difficult to reach individually, but collectively we can get the word out, which will benefit not only their companies, but the wider economy.
Once again, I’d like to thank CEN and CENELEC for initiating today’s discussions and debates. Congratulations again on your important achievement at the conclusion of the SMEST 2 Project and I wish you all every success for the future.
Thank you.
ENDS
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