While reading a study commissioned by the EU with the objective of determining "to what extent the European standardization system in its present form can guarantee appropriate access to all interested parties" along with accompanying recommendations for "avenues of exploration", I came across this paragraph:
"The participation of SMEs and societal stakeholders can be hampered by a lack of resources and technical expertise. This can, in turn, affect the consensus reaching process and therefore cause delays in standards development. The Commission is therefore providing financial support to European organizations and associations representing SMEs and societal stakeholder interests."
The Commission pays these guys in order to gain 'consensus' and the 'participation' of stakeholders - so called 'private organizations' - during the standardization process. I really would like to know, how does that work?
