INSTAR has produced a report, examining the role of standards in trade agreements and digital partnerships involving the European Union, focusing on how standards facilitate international cooperation and promote cross-border trade. The report found that, while standards play a crucial role in areas such as digital identities, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies like AI and 5G, their explicit reference in EU trade agreements has historically been limited.
The objective of this workshop is to explore how the interoperable standards, that the EU is working towards with its international partners, can assist in the implementation of trade agreements. The discussion will focus on identifying concrete opportunities for collaboration on key standards and working items, while also touching upon the practical challenges and policy obstacles that need to be overcome to enhance the integration of standards in trade agreements.
Target audience
Policymakers
Industry representatives
Standardisation development organisations
Researchers and academics
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Agenda
| Time (CET) | Session Details | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 – 08:15 CET | Introduction: The role of standards in (digital) trade agreements | Knut Blind, INSTAR |
| 08:15 – 09:15 CET | Standards for International Trade: Insights from the World Development Report 2025 Standards Development Organisations in an era of strategic competition The Political Dynamics of International Standardisation International Standards and the WTO TBT Agreement: Improving Governance for Regulatory Alignment | Lucas Zavala, World Bank. Tom Barrett, United States Studies Center Solveig Bjørkholt, Oslo University Erik Wijkström, World Trade Organisation |
| 09:15 – 10:00 CET | Global outlook: How can interoperable standards help in the implementation of bilateral trade agreements How can interoperable standards help in the implementation of bilateral trade agreements The European Trade Indexes Registry (EUTIR) EUTIR as a policy- and standards-aligned case study | Boomi Kang, TTA Riho Vedler, DigitalTrade4.EU |
| 10:00 – 10:30 CET | Panel discussion: Challenges, opportunities and actions for interoperable standards | Moderator: Knut Blind, INSTAR
Lucas Zavala, World Bank. Tom Barrett, United States Studies Center Solveig Bjørkholt, Oslo University Erik Wijkström, World Trade Organisation Boomi Kang, TTA Riho Vedler, DigitalTrade4.EU |
| 10:30 – 10:35 CET | Closing remarks | Knut Blind, INSTAR |
