Nicosia: The European Commission has announced the adoption of a new Charter of Access for Industrial Users to Research and Technology Infrastructures, aimed at streamlining the process for companies to engage with Europe's premier research and innovation facilities. This strategic move is intended to facilitate startups, scaleups, and small to medium enterprises in utilizing advanced laboratories and scientific instruments, thereby accelerating their technological development and market entry.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the initiative is expected to bolster Europe's innovation potential and competitive edge, aligning with the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy. Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, emphasized the importance of cutting-edge infrastructures for innovative companies to expedite the development and market introduction of their innovations. The Charter outlines six voluntary principles for research and technology infrastructures, aiming to enhance service visibility, ensure transparency, simplify agreements, manage intellectual property securely, support companies, and foster inter-infrastructure cooperation.
The European Commission is also working to make Europe a more appealing hub for technological innovation by promoting business-friendly services. The Commission has initiated an outreach campaign featuring webinars, events, and a repository of best practices to support the Charter's implementation. Research and technology infrastructures are being encouraged to endorse and promote the Charter's principles, with more information available online.