The European Commission published on Friday (2 February) its annual work programme for European standardisation, with four out of eight policy priorities addressing standard setting in technology, and quantum computation infrastructure topping the list.

The Commission published its “2024 annual Union Work Programme for European Standardisation” to strengthen the EU’s green, digital and resilient single market, mapping out 72 actions and eight policy priorities.

Four policy priorities deal with technology – addressing quantum communication infrastructure, cybersecurity requirements, a trusted data framework, and the European digital identity.

“This will reinforce our role as a global standard-setter in strategic areas, from raw materials to quantum. These standards will be essential for Europe’s competitiveness and economic security,” said Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for internal market.

The publication coincides with the second anniversary of the Commission’s standardisation strategy to foster the EU’s global competitiveness.

Quantum and supercomputing infrastructure

As recently as December, the supercomputer MareNostrum5 was inaugurated at the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC) in Spain, while the inauguration of JUPITER in Germany is planned for this year, followed by Jules Verne in France in 2025.

The work programme ranks the highest standardisation actions for high performance and quantum communication infrastructure. The objective is to ensure “the quality, safety and security of quantum technology products and services and their interoperability”.

For 2024, the Commission plans to draft new quantum standards and revise existing standards “on safety, privacy and cybersecurity of quantum computing and communication technology”.

The Commission said it is aware of the need to drive quantum standardisation forward, but also recognises that the development of quantum technology must take place in pan-European infrastructures to build trust between stakeholders.

Cybersecurity 

The Commission’s sixth priority addresses cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements.

EU policymakers reached a political agreement on the Cyber Resilience Act at the end of last November. The legislative file addresses the cybersecurity of connected products to ensure the EU’s overall cybersecurity.

According to the work plan, the Commission prioritises the standards set out under the Cyber Resilience Act, including vulnerability handling specifications, methodologies for assurance levels, and the evaluation of cybersecurity risks.

Additional security measures for ICT products were introduced with the updated Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) directive. EU countries are currently in the process of implementing the directive into national cybersecurity frameworks.

Another legislative file in the pipeline is the Cyber Solidarity Act, which seeks to assist EU countries in their cybersecurity readiness by means of establishing so-called ‘Cyber Reserves’. The EU institutions will enter inter-institutional negotiations on this file on 13 February, with the second round scheduled for 5 March.

With the UN Cybercrime Convention currently in its concluding negotiation session, lasting until 9 February, it remains to be seen to what extent the EU can reaffirm its values in the international forum.

The private sector and civil society have particularly questioned the compatibility of Russia’s initiative for a universal Cybercrime Convention.

[Edited by Luca Bertuzzi/Zoran Radosavljevic]

Source: Euractiv.com