Small Business Standards (SBS) has launched its annual call for experts to represent European SMEs in standardisation bodies in 2026. The call is open to professionals from all sectors with relevant technical expertise who are committed to promoting the interests of SMEs and craftsmen in organisations such as CEN, CENELEC, ETSI, ISO or IEC. The deadline for applications is 9 September 2025.
SBS will appoint experts based on their technical knowledge, the relevance of the standardisation work for SMEs, and alignment with European policy priorities. Candidates must demonstrate their familiarity with the standardisation process, fluency in English, and be supported by a recognised SME organisation. Selected experts will act as spokespersons for European SMEs and contribute to the development of standards by attending meetings, providing technical input, and liaising with the SBS network.
Experts may apply for one or more Technical Committees (TCs), Sub-Committees (SCs) or Working Groups (WGs). Selected experts will receive a yearly lump sum of €10,500, with additional support for travel costs to attend physical meetings. Experts are also expected to participate in SBS working groups, complete regular reports, and use the SBS SME Compatibility Test during standardisation work.
Applicants must submit a completed application form, a support letter from an SME association, and a recent CV. All documents must be sent to president@sbs-sme.eu by the 9 September.
To help interested applicants, SBS will host an online information session on 29 August 2025 from 13:30 to 14:30. The webinar will present SBS’s work, explain the call for experts, and offer an opportunity to ask questions. Interested participants can register here.
Facilitating direct SME involvement in the standardisation process remains a key priority for SBS. Each year, around 55 experts are appointed across sectors including construction, digital, textiles, and machinery. EBC is a founding member of SBS and continues to coordinate the SBS experts active in the construction sector.
For more details, visit the SBS website.
To register to the informational webinar, click here.
