14 October is World Standards Day. This year focuses on the role of standardisation in building smart cities: a perfect occasion for AGE Platform Europe to raise awareness on how standards can help urban environments to better meet the needs of an ageing population.
Smart cities (based on the use of information and communication technologies – ICT) have the potential to help address some of the most pressing societal challenges, including the ageing of the population. But it can also lead to further inequalities and exclusion if not implemented adequately. This is where standards are important: AGE believes that, in order for cities to be inclusive to all whatever their age and ability, some criteria in terms of accessibility have to be met.
AGE representation in standardisation bodies…
AGE is involved as a liaison organisation with the European standardisation bodies CEN-CENELEC and takes part in this capacity in different fora. It is for instance the case with the Joint Working Group 5 on Design-for-All, the Joint Working Group 6 on the Built Environment and the Strategic Advisory Group on Accessibility (SAGA).
AGE also participates in more specific discussions such as the ones relating to ICT standardisation in the frame of the Multi-Stakeholder Platform on ICT Standardisation. The latter is in charge of setting ICT standardisation priorities for Europe that are annually updated in a “Rolling Plan”.
Standardisation is also addressed by groups such as the European Railway Agency for Railways or the Euro Retail Payment Board where AGE has nominated experts.
For more information on our policy work with standardisation bodies, you may contact Julia Wadoux, julia.wadoux@age-platform.eu
… calling for more inclusive standardisation processes
Having been involved in European standardisation for a few years now, AGE Platform Europe regularly calls for more cooperation of standardisation bodies with civil society and end users organisations.
Yet again, in the frame of the PROGRESSIVE project, AGE will contribute to the development of guidelines for standardisation bodies to develop standards that support the creation of age-friendly environments. The project will also aim to explore the way that the voice of older people can be heard more loudly within the standardisation process.
For more information on the PROGRESSIVE project, you may contact Estelle Huchet, estelle.huchet@age-platform.eu