Upcoming digital policy legislation at the EU level, including the groundbreaking AI Act aimed at regulating AI systems, will heavily rely on technical standards, according to a new study. These standards will play a crucial role in protecting consumers' privacy, autonomy, and dignity. However, civil society representatives express concerns about the lack of necessary governance structures within European standardisation organisations to effectively address fundamental rights-related issues, such as the definition of unwanted biases in AI-system decisions.
Commissioned by BEUC and ANEC, the legal study, authored by Professor Hans Micklitz from EUI, proposes reforms to the standardisation process. The aim is to equip standardisation bodies better to handle these challenges, draw a clear line between EU legislation and standardisation, and foster greater involvement of civil society representatives, beyond private, for-profit interests.
One key recommendation from the study is the development of a 'Standardisation Governance Act,' which would mandate the inclusion of civil society representatives in the development of technical standards, ensuring compliance with fundamental rights from the outset.
Read the full report here LINK.
