EGMF co-signs joint statement on common specifications

EGMF has joined a broad coalition of industry associations in co-signing a joint statement to the European Commission regarding its proposed directive and regulation on the digitalisation and alignment of common specifications.

While EGMF supports the Commission’s objective to modernise and accelerate the European standardisation system, we believe the current proposal risks undermining the existing public-private partnership that has consistently delivered open, inclusive, and industry-led European standards.

Key Concerns Raised in the Statement

• A risk of fragmentation and loss of global competitiveness:
  The proposal may lead to a parallel structure that deviates from internationally recognised frameworks such as ISO, IEC, and ITU. This could reduce the competitiveness of European companies and fragment the internal market.
• Trade and compliance implications:
  Common specifications could act as a technical barrier to trade under the WTO TBT Agreement and conflict with Europe’s commitments in its bilateral trade agreements.
• Root causes of delay not addressed:
  The joint statement identifies the delayed citation of harmonised standards and procedural inefficiencies, particularly the HAS consultant system—as the main challenges, rather than a lack of common specifications.
• Lack of clarity and duplication of effort:
  The proposal fails to define transparent and inclusive processes for developing common specifications. Creating an alternative system risk duplicating the expertise already established in CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI.

Industry Recommendations

The signatories call on the European Commission to:

• Reconsider the current approach to common specifications
• Prioritise improving the performance of the existing European Standardisation System
• Use common specifications only as a fallback mechanism with clear criteria, aligned with the wording of Article 20 of the Machinery Regulation

EGMF is committed to working with European institutions to ensure that the standardisation system continues to support innovation, global competitiveness, and legal certainty for businesses across Europe.

Download the statement HERE.