On June 25, 2024, the results of the German Standardization Panel 2024 were presented in Berlin. The focus was on the importance of European and international standards in the context of green and digital transformation. DIN and DKE have released the results of the 12th survey round of the German Standardization Panel. The surveyed organizations, mainly companies, emphasized the need to further develop standards for digital and green transformation and to better incorporate research findings and international networking.
The survey conducted by the Technical University of Berlin from October 2023 to January 2024 includes data from over 1,600 companies. The Standardization Panel provides valuable insights into the developments and trends in standardization. This annual survey has been conducted since 2012 and has been under the patronage of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action since 2016.
Key Findings of the 2024 Standardization Panel
The results of this year's Standardization Panel highlight the areas where there is significant interest from businesses in standards for green and digital transformation. The need for standards in this context is considered high. However, a large portion of the surveyed organizations are not yet active in standardization for green or digital transformation.
Researchers also found that standards related to security and resilience, as well as the circular economy, are viewed as particularly beneficial. In the digital sector, there is great interest in topics such as data interoperability, artificial intelligence, and the digital product passport.
Strong Connection to International Standards is Crucial
Prof. Dr. Knut Blind from TU Berlin and Fraunhofer ISI commented on the results: “The green and digital transformation requires quickly recognized international standards to ensure that new technologies are implemented safely and sustainably. Therefore, research results should promptly flow into standardization to accelerate the development of new technologies and shorten innovation cycles. All this will not only strengthen innovation but also secure the competitiveness of the European economy and ultimately contribute to sustainable transformation.”
Dr. Kurt D. Bettenhausen, Chairman of the DKE Steering Committee, emphasized: “A strong connection to international standards is crucial for green and digital transformation. International networking and the presumption of conformity of European standards are essential for their global acceptance and success. International standards promote global trade and reduce technical barriers. It is important that we intensify our efforts to ensure that European standards are recognized and used worldwide.”
