Evaluation of the Existing Standardisation Regulation

The new Standardisation Regulation aims to make the European standardisation system more efficient, transparent and flexible.

The proposal includes the following key changes:

• Faster development of harmonised standards: Clearer deadlines and simplified procedures are intended to accelerate the availability of harmonised standards.
• New harmonised standardisation deliverables: In addition to harmonised standards, other standardisation deliverables could, under certain conditions, provide a presumption of conformity.
• Free access to harmonised standards: Certain harmonised standards and standardisation deliverables whose references have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union are intended to become freely accessible.
• Greater transparency: A central digital EU Standards Platform is intended to provide information on standardisation requests and their progress.
• More flexible standardisation: Under certain conditions, additional standardisation organisations could be involved in the development of standards.
   

The text published on 6 October 2026 is currently a legislative proposal from the European Commission. It must still go through the ordinary legislative procedure involving the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

Until a new regulation enters into force, the existing Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 remains applicable. The proposal therefore does not introduce any immediate new obligations for manufacturers.

In the future, the proposed changes could improve the availability of harmonised standards and thereby facilitate compliance with EU harmonisation legislation.