  The Joint Research Centre in collaboration with the European standardization
bodies CEN and CENELEC launched a scoping exercise on standardization needs in
response to COVID-19 and future pandemics. The purpose of the exercise was to
identify ongoing harmonization initiatives, as was well as further
standardization needs in relevant sectors such as artisanal reusable face
masks, medical face masks, and social distancing in closed public or commercial
spaces. An overview of already ongoing standardization activities relevant to
COVID-19 in Spain and Italy illustrate, although fragmented and partially
complete, the importance of standardization in key sectors for combatting
pandemics, such as in health, social, safety and security. This report informs
colleagues in European institutions and Member States about the crucial role
standardization plays in the common efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.
Examples include potential inputs to the drafting of guidelines, methods and or
interoperability standards. Finally, the report also provides practical
examples of agile standardization activities and deliverables that have the
potential to enable the EU to respond more effectively and multilaterally to
future crises. With this report we aim to raise awareness about the
opportunities that standardization and harmonization can bring in the context
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
