Helpdesk

HSbooster.eu facilitates and streamlines the dialogue between Horizon 2020, Digital Europe and Horizon Europe Research & Innovation projects with the Standardisation landscape and its main actors, namely corresponding Standards Developing Organisations (SDOs) to increase the European impact on (international) Standardisation and strengthen the European competitiveness.

We have collected here a first comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) based on queries received so far. The questions cover: 

• information about our services for Research and Innovation projects
• information for our Pool of External Standardisation experts
• basic information on standardisation
• general information about HSbooster.eu at large
• practical questions on how to approach standardisation processes and actors

If you do not find an answer to your question, please contact us at info@hsbooster.eu or ask Norma, the first standardisation-dedicated chatbot!

What does HSbooster.eu do?

HSbooster.eu wants to support the entire European Standardisation dialogue between Horizon 2020 (H2020) and Horizon Europe (HE) projects with corresponding Standards Developing Organisations (SDOs) to increase the European impact on (international) standardisation and strengthen the European competitiveness. HSbooster.eu aims to act as the facilitator that provides hands-on guidance and support and help navigate selected Research and Innovation projects to the right channels to stimulate standards efforts.

Who can benefit from the HSbooster.eu programme?

 

H2020, Digital Europe and Horizon Europe projects can get help in transforming their results into concrete standardisation efforts and get an overview of the standardisation landscape in selected areas.

Which sectors does HSbooster.eu target?

HSbooster.eu pursues a multi-industry approach and virtually targets all the main R&I sectors. The project prioritises the key standardisation urgencies as defined by the EU Standardisation strategy.

What are the EU standardisation priorities?

According to the EU Standardisation Strategy, priority areas are COVID-19 vaccine and medicine production recycling of critical raw materials (CRM); clean hydrogen value chain, low-carbon cement, certification of chips in terms of security, authenticity and reliability and data standards enhancing data interoperability, data sharing and data re-use in support of the Common European Data Spaces.

Who are the HSbooster.eu Experts?

Standardisation Experts are all those professionals who have experience in contributing to National Standards Bodies or European and international Standards Development Organisations and are qualified to advise EU projects on how to contribute to standardisation in their field.

How many open calls are available?

A continuous open call is running throughout the HSBooster.eu lifetime (Sept 2022 - Jan 2024). Specific topics of the call are available described in the open call.

I have a problem with the application to the open call. What should I do?

If you are facing technical issues with your application to a HSbooster.eu open call or you would simply like to receive any clarifications and support, please get in touch with the us at info[at]hsbooster[dot]eu

I was not able to attend one of your public events. Are recordings available?

Typically, video recordings and slides are available for all our public webinars and events within a few business days from the date of the event. If you missed the event, you can go back to the event page to access the recordings or look for the video on our Youtube channel.

I submitted an application to act as an expert delivering standardisation services. How can I get updates about the status of my application?

HSbooster.eu Platform automatically sends notifications about the progress in the application process. Please make sure you regularly check your spam folder or inbox. Messages come from the email address 'web[at]hsbooster[dot]eu'. You should receive information on your eligibility within two weeks from the application submission. If you do not find any messages, please inform us at info[at]hsbooster[dot]eu.

I cannot access the Hsbooster platform to see the status of my service. What should I do?

In order to see the status of your service(s) you should log into the Hsbooster.eu SOP platform at sop[dot]hsbooster[dot]eu and enter the login details you received when you passed the eligibility process. If you cannot retrieve the e-mail with the credentials or you did not receive that e-mail, please inform us at info[at]hsbooster[dot]eu

I am unsure which type of service best suits me. How can you support me?

We can guide you through your choice in an orientation call. If you are interested in having a chat with our Team please book a call by emailing to info[at]hsbooster[dot]eu and write "Hsbooster.eu service selection for PROJECT NAME - Support Request" in the subject of your e-mail, including the name of your project

The reference person for my project has changed after the application to the open call. How can I inform of the substitution?

The first thing you should do in this case is, if possible, to log into the HSbooster.eu website at hsbooster.eu/login with the credentials you received after the eligibility check and modify your profile substituting the name and contact details of the project representative. In this way the new reference person will be directly contacted by our team when it is time to provide services to your project. If you are not sure whether you successfully updated the profile or struggle with this process, please contact info[at]hsbooster[dot]eu with the details of your request.

I think I may have a conflict of interest in proceeding with the expert/project assigned to me. How to signal this?

If you fear you are in a conflict of interest, please inform our team as soon as possible, at the time the project/expert is assigned to you. You will have a direct contact with a member of the HSbooster so you can inform directly about your situation. The team will evaluate your case and proceed with a different allocation in case the conflict of interest holds.

What services does HSbooster.eu offer?

HSbooster offers three levels of service: The first level consists in providing basic information and guidance about standardisation via e-mail, our FAQ lists and helpdesk page. The second level consists in supporting you in engaging with standards developing organisations and providing more specific information on standards in your domain via a dedicated call or webinar. The third level consists in a 3-month consultancy service with a standardisation expert assigned to you after you submit your application to our open call. If you'd like to know more about our services, you can ask for a dedicated call with one of the HSbooster.eu team members to guide you through our offer.

How can I receive consultancy from an expert?

You will need to apply to our open call for projects. Via a matchmaking service, you will be provided, free of charge, with pragmatic services and solutions from the selected expert who will support your project’s standardisation efforts

How long does a consultancy last?

The consultancy with the expert should not last more than 3 months starting from the moment the first introductory call between the expert and the project takes place

What happens when a project submits an application?

If the project is eligible it will be assigned to an expert as soon as possible (a first-come, first-served approach applies). The assigned expert will get in touch with the project representative to start the consultancy. If you have already submitted an application and did not get an update via e-mail but want to enquire about its status, please contact info[at]hsbooster[dot]eu. 

What effort is required to participate in the HSbooster.eu service as a project?

If you are a project applying for the service, bear in mind that the following activities will need to be completed:

•  a minimum of 2 and up to 4 calls with the expert to be scheduled within a timeframe of 3 months. The calls are needed to decide on the activities to work on and to evaluate the project’s progress 
•  work on the activities and actions the expert recommends.

In return you will receive a standardisation landscape in your field, suggestions about training material and advice on your project standardisation strategy.

What effort is required to participate in the HSbooster.eu service as an expert?

If you are an expert, your service will request an estimated effort of up to two days (16 hours) to provide guidance to the project via 2 to 4 dedicated meetings and to work on dedicated materials to provide to the project.

My project has already finished, or is about to finish. Can I still apply to receive a consultancy from an expert?

Yes, the services are open to all projects, either ongoing or already closed. 

My project has just started. When is the best time to apply?

You can apply at any time you prefer. Consider applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you need advice on when to apply or want an overview of available services and options please contact us at info[at]hsbooster[dot]eu

What are the eligibility criteria for projects to apply to an open call?

Projects (represented by their beneficiaries) are eligible to apply to the open call online through the HSbooster.eu website. An eligibility evaluation will be carried out to make sure that (1) the applicant project is funded by the EU, (2) the applicant accepts the Terms of Reference, (3) there is a clear link to standardisation in the application.

What happens if my project is not eligible to apply to an open call?

Applications that have not passed the eligibility check due to error or missing information in the application will be able to reapply, addressing eligibility issues in the original application.

What are the eligibility criteria for standardisation experts to join the EPE?

Candidates have to demonstrate a proven track record of standardisation expertise in any and up to three of the relevant categories listed in the application form. Also, they have to accept the Terms of Reference, including the Confidentiality Agreement.

What if I am unable to sign the contract directly?

The contract would normally be drawn up with you, the expert, as signatory, as the activities are undertaken in a personal capacity. However, should you be unable to directly enter into a contract due to restrictions imposed by your employer, it is still possible to draw up the contract through your employer. Subject to EU-rules for Financial Support to Third Parties, this is would be contingent on you performing the activities as a named specialist and that the full amount of the contribution is devolved to you without applying any overhead or other general expenses.

Do EPE members receive financial support?

Each Expert will benefit from financial support. The financial support for each consultancy delivered is fixed at €800 (eight hundred Euros) and it remunerates the selected Expert for 2 days of work, at the rate of 400€/day. The financial support to each expert shall be capped in any way at a maximum of 8 consultancies.

Does HSbooster.eu provide trainings?

Yes, the project will provide training packages via its Standards Academy to connect organisations with standards and standardisation activities in an easy and systematic manner. 
 Training will be delivered through online materials, training sessions, and events. Training material will be delivered through an eLearning platform.

Can I receive visibility/recognition for taking part in the service as a project?

Yes. If you apply for the service your project will be displayed and promoted in our Project Hub. Moreover, your project could be selected to present at a workshop or webinar or share your experience via the publication of newspieces or success stories

Can I receive visibility/recognition for taking part in the service as an expert?

Yes. If you apply fto become an expert, your profile will be showcased in our Pool of experts. Moreover, you could be invited to speak at our events or post your articles and contributions in our website

What is a de jure standard?

De jure standards are formal standards developed by official standardisation organizations. De jure standards are developed under the requirements of the formal standardization system which implies consensus, voluntarism and the fact that they are market-driven.

What is a harmonised standard?

It is a standard a European standard adopted on the basis of a request made by the Commission for the application of Union harmonisation legislation.

What is a de facto standard?

De facto standards are not developed by one of the recognised bodies. These are standards that have gained currency over time e.g. music notes. Other de facto standards could be a result of one or more companies’ products where the products become a ‘standard’ itself. Due to the different kinds of de facto standards, they are developed in different ways. Sometimes a standard can start as a de facto standard and end up being approved as a de jure standard. One example of this is the PDF document. This started as a de facto standard but was eventually approved by ISO and is today described in ISO 32000.

How to influence the content of a standard?

Standardisation organisations are open for participation for all interested parties. Participation typically takes place through the network that the national standardisation organizations constitute under the European or international organisation (e.g. CEN or ISO). If you wish to influence a standard, may join the national standardisation organization. Joining your national standardisation organisation may even allow you to become part of the European or international standardisation activities.

What are the main types of standards?

• Terminology standards are used to create a common language and are especially utilised in new innovative areas, where the need to establish clarity about terms and definitions is profound.
• Compatibility standards are used to ensure that different parts or products fit together
• Performance standards specify requirements for operation, quality, safety or other parameters such as the environment, health etc.
• Measurement and test standards make it possible to test products in a uniform manner and to establish confidence in the product.
• Management standards constitute a tool for organizations to effectively manage their efforts for improvement with respect to diverse parameters

How to create a standard?

Standards are typically based on the consolidated results of science, technology and experience. They are provided in documents established by consensus and approved by a recognised body that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context. Standards may be mandatory or voluntary. De jure European standards are developed and published by CEN (the European Committee for Standardization), CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization and ETSI, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute). CEN and CENELEC member countries are obliged to adopt each European standard as a national standard. They also have to withdraw any existing national standard that conflicts with a new European standard. De jure international standards are developed and published by ISO (International Organization for Standardization). The standards for electrical, electronic and related technologies are developed and published by IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), which have more than 80 member countries. At the international level, ITU develops standards for the telecommunication field. Standards can also be developed by consortia or come into being as an effect of market dominance (de facto standards).

How does the standardisation process work?

Standards are developed in technical committees and their sub-committees as well as in working groups. The member organizations contribute to and assist in the standardisation work where they represent the interests of their stakeholders. All member organizations have the right to participate in the work of all the committees and can nominate experts to the working groups. Participation in standards development in the formal system is open to everybody. It is voluntary work based on consensus. The standardization committees should preferably consist of experts from each relevant sector of society, e.g. industry and commerce, consulting agencies, academia and R&I bodies, consumers and labour, public authorities as well as government.

What is the life cycle of a de jure standard?

Drafting a standard goes through a certain path from a draft standard to the phase of public consultation, balloting, publishing, and finally, the implementation of a standard. A public consultation means that each member body releases the draft standard for public comments in their own country. Revision is also a stage of the lifecycle of a standard. A technical committee makes sure that a standard is up-to-date, and whether a standard needs to be revised or not is checked regularly. The first review is required to take place within five years after a standard has been implemented.

Who is an expert in committees and working groups?

An expert is a person nominated as a member of a working group or a technical committee by the national standardization organization. An expert participates in the technical writing of standards.

Who is a Working Group Convenor?

A working group convenor is a person responsible for the administration of a working group, meeting arrangements, acting as a chair of the meetings and delivering documents. His/her task is to help the experts find a sufficiently wide consensus on subjects. He/she also reports on the achieved work to the technical committee.

Who is a Delegate?

A delegate is nominated by a national standardisation organization, which he/she represents in the meetings of the technical committee. A delegate participates in creating a multinational consensus and decision-making as a representative of his/her own country. Unlike in the role of an expert, a delegate comments on the issues according to the prevailing view of his/her own country.

Who is the Technical Committe Chair?

The chair of a technical committee has the overall responsibility for the management of a committee. He/she must take all the members’ views equally into account by then leading the work towards the consensus of all the stakeholders. The TC chair will be a person nominated by a committee secretariat, often originating from the country holding the secretariat.

What is a Technical Specification?

It is a document developed or adopted by CEN, CENELEC, ETSI, ISO or IEC for which there is the future possibility of agreement on a European standard, but for which at present:

•  the required support for approval as a European standard cannot be obtained,
•  there is doubt on whether consensus has been achieved,
•  the subject is still under technical development, or
•  there is another reason precluding immediate publication as a European standard.

What is a Technical Report?

A Technical Report gives information on the technical content of standardisation work. The obligation at the national level is limited to the announcement of the existence of the CEN/TR and conflicting national standards may continue to exist. Adoption as a national deliverable is optional.

What is a guide?

It is a document published by CEN, CENELEC, ISO or IEC giving rules, orientation, advice or recommendations relating to standardisation.

What is a CEN-CENELEC Workshop Agreement (CWA)?

It is a CEN-CENELEC agreement, developed by an “open workshop” outside the normal committee system, which reflects the consensus of identified individuals and organisations responsible for its contents.

How to address and find the right standard?

One of the world's largest bibliographic databases of national, European, and international standards developed by over 200 organisations for standardisation from 29 countries, with over 2,400,000 records is called Perinorm. Available in three languages (English, French & German), Perinorm allows users to easily make standards queries and manage their own standards database.
 
 The Perinorm registration and subscription details may be found here:  https://www.afnor.org/