KANBrief 1/16
DIN (German Institute for Standardization) and DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies of DIN and VDE) are recognized standards organizations throughout the world. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs sets out the political and legal framework for their activity. Standardization has however become a controversial topic, and is often considered out of step with the times. This view however fails to recognize the huge contribution made by standardization to economic, industrial and innovation policy. Standards eliminate barriers to trade and pave the way for new products to enter the market.
One might wonder why politicians are concerned with the future of standardization; is it really an issue? Closer analysis shows that it is. Standardization is increasingly coming under pressure. What was taken for granted only yesterday is now being called into question.
Until quite recently – one is tempted to say 'in the good old days' – standardization enjoyed a privileged position in Germany. In accordance with the agreement on standardization (pdf, in german) reached between DIN (including DKE) and the Federal Republic of Germany in 1975, standardization activity generally addressed products in traditional areas, and enjoyed wide acceptance. The activity was primarily the preserve of a select community of experts. It was accepted that the standardization of information technology was generally conducted in consortia outside the scope of traditional standardization. Standards developers and legislators were not in competition with each other, but acted as partners in a system of checks and balances.
In recent years, this has ceased to be the case. Although in legal terms, the observance of standards is voluntary, they are often in reality mandatory, since the party to which a statutory regulation is addressed will generally make recourse to standards in order to demonstrate product conformity. This situation raises the question as to how standards are developed. Are all voices heard? Are the procedures transparent and logical? Have the repercussions of the standard been analysed? And above all: do the rules drawn up by private organizations have sufficient democratic legitimacy to justify their de-facto mandatory effect?
New worlds of standardization
Services are increasingly also being made the subject of standards. When the standardization of services is conducted at European level, if not before, it raises questions concerning the interaction between European standards and national legislation. Must something be standardized just because it can be? Who decides? Does demand actually exist for each standardization project? Are public authorities just one of many stakeholders, or do they enjoy a privileged status? These questions were less relevant when standardization was restricted to products. In areas such as medicine and education however, services and the associated standardization issues are politically charged and a much greater subject of public interest and debate.
And finally: once-distinct areas are now merging; the boundaries between conventional production and IT-based business models are blurring. Industry 4.0 is the buzzword, and our industry is already closely meshed with suppliers all over the world. Industry 4.0 can become a model for success only when standardization assures the interoperability of web-based and conventional production steps, and when interfaces are harmonized internationally.
Is standardization fit for the future?
Altogether, it appears crucial for the processes of standardization to be reviewed with regard to their sustainability. The processes must be up to date and inclusive, and must therefore also exploit new working methods. New technological developments must be recognized at an early stage, and the associated need for standardization must be identified in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders. Relationships with fora and consortia require a modus operandi that functions smoothly and eliminates duplications of effort.
The German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) is conscious of its political responsibility. In the interests of the stakeholders and of the standardization system, a "fitness test" appears appropriate. The BMWi has therefore commissioned a study into the role of standardization in 2030 and ways of shaping it in consideration of the particular technical aspects of ICT (Information and communications technology) in standardization conducted by standards bodies or fora and consortia. Results of the study are anticipated for the end of 2016. The recommendations for action formulated in these results and the proposals currently being drawn up at European level will form the basis for discussion of further steps.
Dr Ulrich Romer