A CWA is a deliverable which may take various forms such as a text file or computer code, developed and agreed by the participants in a temporary working group (CEN and/or CENELEC Workshop).
A CWA is a deliverable which may take various forms such as a text file or computer code, developed and agreed by the participants in a temporary working group (CEN and/or CENELEC Workshop).
It is designed to meet an immediate need, can be quickly developed and can be used as a fast track to future standardization activities. The stakeholder involvement is limited to those directly interested in the subject.
In innovative markets there is often a request for a reference document to be quickly developed as a stepping stone to standardization deliverables, to facilitate interoperability and compatibility, enhance market uptake of innovative solutions and facilitate further incremental innovations in the market.
However, if innovative technologies, including products, processes and services, have not yet achieved a sufficient degree of stability (Technology Readiness Levels – TRL), a European Standard may not be the best way of meeting this need, because of the nature of the standardization process and the requirement that all CEN and/or CENELEC National Members shall adopt the resulting standard.
The direct participation of interested parties, the possibility to indicate the participants and their organizations in the Foreword and the rapid development process offered by a CWA are particularly attractive for European research and innovation projects, which have to deliver results within the limited duration of their project lifetimes.
European Framework Programmes like Horizon Europe support the uptake of innovative solutions in industry and society to address global challenges. Standardization is recognized as a tool to support this strategic objective. Consequently, well suited solutions like the CWA must be made available.
More information about the interaction of research and innovation projects with standardization activities can be found in CEN-CENELEC Guide 23 (Research Consortium Bridge- Addressing Research and Innovation in European Standardization activities and deliverables) and CEN-CENELEC Guide 39 (The role of standards in support of Technology Transfer).
As long as the innovative solutions have not reached a sufficient level of stability, a formal standard may be a less suitable solution considering the process in place as well as the obligations on the CEN and/or CENELEC National Members to implement all European Standards.
An established CWA can be proposed for conversion into a European Standard to a Technical Committee. If the proposal is approved by the Technical Committee, the CWA shall go through the standards development process and follow the rules for the development of European Standards.
Similarly, the members of a Technical Committee might encourage the creation of a CEN and/or CENELEC Workshop to address a market need it cannot meet through the development (or revision) of a European Standard or a Technical Specification. Further guidance is provided in CEN-CENELEC Guide 23 on addressing research and innovation in European standardization activities and deliverables.