The EC published a Scoping Study to support the development of a Code of Practice for researchers on standardisation that aims to foster knowledge valorisation.
On 15 March 2022, the European Commission (EC) published a Scoping Study to support the development of a Code of Practice for researchers on standardisation. The report was just released some weeks ahead of the EU Knowledge Valorisation Week that is taking place from 29 March to 1 April 2022 to share best practices in knowledge valorisation.
The knowledge valorisation landscape has changed considerably since the EC published in 2008 its Recommendations on the management of intellectual property in knowledge transfer activities and Code of Practice for universities and other public research organisations. The 2018 Council conclusions on Accelerating knowledge circulation in the EU emphasise the need to use scientific and technological knowledge and ensure a more effective transfer of R&I results to society and industry in the European Union. The Council’s conclusions called on the European Commission to develop a strategy and accelerate the potential of R&I results. This would contribute to the Union’s objectives in strengthening its scientific and technological bases by achieving a European Research Area in which researchers, scientific knowledge and technology circulate freely. In 2020, the EC published the Policy Review: R&I Knowledge Valorisation Channels and Tools to define the European knowledge valorisation strategy. The next steps for knowledge valorisation are the three defined outcomes in the ERA policy action dedicated knowledge valorisation, establishing: i. Guiding Principles for Knowledge Valorisation, ii. A Code of Practice for Smart use of IP, and iii. A Code of Practice for researchers on standardisation. The Scoping Study contributes to the last of these.
As highlighted in the ERA action on knowledge valorisation, the Code of Practice for researchers on standardisation “will describe the use of standards as a knowledge valorisation channel”. Standards and standardisations are considered to offer a key channel for successful transfer, commercialisation and valorisation of research results, contributing to innovation. However, to date, such use of standards and standardisation is not widespread compared to other commercialisation channels, such as the use of intellectual property (IP). Therefore, this study aims to close this gap and identify good practices for researchers dealing with standards and standardisation. The study is based on a literature review, expert interview, and a survey conducted by the EC on Horizon 2020 projects dealing with standards/standardisation.
According to the Scoping Study, it is essential to assess on a case-by-case basis the relevance of standardisation as as a commercialisation strategy, much as in the case of other technology transfer channels. The study further shows that the most challenging part of the standardisation approach is to synchronise exploratory research with standardisation processes, mainly because standardisation needs the consensus among all participating entities. The process of standardisation usually exceeds the running time of a project of a European framework programme. Some of the mentioned barriers to engage in standardisation are the lack of knowledge of standards/standardisation, financial barriers, the long-term nature of standardisation processes, standards as a shared outcome and the public good / free-rider problem. The study also assesses that many existing good practices relate to the preparatory phase of the research proposal, while at the result/impact stages, the development and use of indicators for standardisation are still in their infancy. Likewise, it highlights the need to align standardisation activities with IP management, considering overlaps with IP instruments (e.g. patents, copyrights, and trade secrets). Moreover, it includes recommendations for three major groups:
- For universities and public research organisations at the institutional level, it recommends developing a standardisation policy as well as considering standardisation activities and outputs in the career development plans and research assessment exercises of researchers. Moreover, training on standardisation needs to be provided, and technology transfer offices have to be prepared for standardisation. Lastly, the development of an indicator and evaluation system is required.
- For individual researchers at the project level, it is essential to assess whether and where standardisation is needed. Besides, in a consortium, a shared understanding and strategic position on standardisation needs to be established. Moreover, it is crucial that standards are a concrete component in the proposal and project (e.g. through a dedicated task or work package), involving partners with standardisation expertise and good access to the standardisation community, for example, Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs). Additionally, it is vital to provide stakeholder management throughout the project and be realistic about outputs, outcomes and impacts. Furthermore, standardisation issues need to be considered in IP management and strategy (and vice versa). Lastly, sustainability has to be ensured beyond the running time of the project, especially through the involvement of industry or standards-light-like instruments generated by SDOs.
- For policymakers and the wider stakeholder community, it is essential to have the EC engaged with SDOs, university associations and associations of technology transfer offices. Besides, SDOs need to develop their service portfolios for R&D projects and scrutinise possibilities to synchronise standardisation with R&D. Lastly, it is essential to analyse the needs, especially of SMEs, in collaborative research concerning standards and standardisation, but also to address the Member State policy level and national Horizon support structures.