The new Helpdesk will ease the involvement of researchers with CEN standardization activities. It will advise current projects, and consortia proposing new ones, on the best way to interface with standards groups, or indeed to create new activities where appropriate.

For example, research proposers might wish to include a Work Package -˜Standardization' in their European research proposal or project, therefore maximizing the dissemination impact of their research and contributing to long-term standards work. In certain cases, CEN itself, or one of its members, might accept to become a formal partner in research projects.

The Research Helpdesk can also be used by CEN Technical Committees wishing to register their own needs for research with a view to benefitting from additional EU possibilities for financing such activities.

This new initiative is highly relevant to the issues discussed in the European Commission's recently published 'Communication towards an increased contribution from standardization to innovation in Europe'.