In order to promote European security industry, the Commission has launched on 14 March a public consultation to invite all interested parties to share their views on the best policy measures to be taken to make Europe’s security industry a world leader. This consultation aims to gather opinions on how to deal with the fragmented internal market and the weak industrial base this industry is facing. Interested parties may submit their opinion until 13 May.

As highlighted by Commissioner Tajani, fragmentation of the market weakens the competitiveness of Europe’s security industry and endangers its ability to provide technologies necessary to ensure the security of the European citizens. National regulatory frameworks and standards differ widely and the market for security products is highly diversified, ranging from cameras to complex scanner systems.

It is therefore essential to develop a fast-track system for approval of priority technologies; to make substantial further progress on harmonisation, standardisation; to consider coordinated public procurement; and to accelerate R&D on security technologies including dual-use.

The aim of the Consultation on an Industrial Policy for the Security Industry is to provide the Commission with an overview of the perspectives of the relevant stakeholders, from public administration, to industry, NGO and citizens. The society has become more and more dependent on technologies and infrastructures such as electricity network, internet, public transport, aviation, or telecommunications. Human accidents or natural disasters can cause major damage to human beings and the environment. All these situations can easily disrupt basic economic infrastructures and, although technology cannot guarantee security, there is no security without technology

Main aspects of the Consultation on an Industrial Policy for the Security Industry

• Means to overcome the market fragmentation: certification and standardisation procedures.
• Reinforcing the security industrial base: access to international markets, synergies between civil and military technologies and liability related issues.
• Closer cooperation between manufacturers, system integrators, and service providers on one side and with clients on the other.
• The societal dimension of security: ensuring the privacy compliance of security technologies (data protection).

The information collected in this Consultation will serve as a basis for the Impact Assessment and subsequently influence the Communication on an Industrial Policy for the Security Industry.