CEN and CENELEC are pleased to share the report from the joint CEPS event, "From Research to Market: Standardization in FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF)", held in Brussels on 10 September 2026. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, industry representatives, SMEs and standardization experts to discuss how standardization can strengthen the impact of European research and innovation and support Europe's competitiveness. More than 100 participants attended the event.
Discussions highlighted the importance of integrating standardization more systematically into future EU funding programmes. Participants explored how standards can help bridge the gap between research results and market uptake, while supporting the development, deployment and scaling-up of innovative solutions. The event also examined how FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund could work together to create a stronger and more coherent innovation ecosystem in Europe.
The report summarizes key messages and recommendations from policymakers and stakeholders, including the need to provide researchers and innovators with the incentives, resources and support required to engage effectively in standardization activities. It also underlines the role of standards in accelerating innovation uptake and creating competitive advantages for European industry.
The publication comes at a timely moment in the legislative process. The European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is currently expected to vote on FP10 on 10 November 2026, with a first-reading plenary vote provisionally foreseen for 23 November 2026. The report therefore provides a valuable contribution to ongoing discussions on the future of European research, innovation and competitiveness.
The full report is available below.
Download: From Research to Market – Standardisation in FP10 and the ECF_CEPS Event Report.pdf
