STANDARDIZATION

Technical Commission 169 develops standardization practices within the scope of Research, Development and Innovation activities, in order to promote the participation, on a voluntary basis, of parties interested in these issues and to ensure a balanced representation of the scientific, technological and economic interests that are relevant today.

The aim of this technical body is to ensure that documents are drawn up and normative opinions issued, in accordance with the rules and procedures in force in the field of Portuguese standardization and ensuring that they are in line with the best international practices, as well as the production of Portuguese standards.

TC 169 actively participates in the work of Technical Commission 389 ofCEN – European Committee for Standardizationand with the different working groups ofISO – International Organization for Standardization, namely through Technical Commission 279.

Benefits for the market

• Provide guidance on how an organization can satisfy unmet customer needs
• Increase business opportunities and open up new markets
• Lead to a consequent reduction in trade barriers
• Reduce time to market
• Increasing the competitiveness of various organizations
• Responding to the needs of developed and emerging countries

Organizational benefits

• Saving costs and reducing risks by innovating and collaborating across borders through the development of standard tools
• Increase the organization’s ability to make decisions
• Improving the efficiency and performance of organizations to produce innovation
• Improve the results of the innovation process and help monitor the return on investments made in innovation.
• Evaluate the organization’s progress and identify and share good practices in innovation management

The EIA relies heavily on technical standards that must be developed to support the implementation of its regulatory requirements. CEN (European Committee for Standardization) and CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization) are the bodies responsible for drafting EIA standards. These committees work to create standards that detail technical specifications, test methods, and guidelines to ensure that AI systems are designed and operated safely and in accordance with EIA values.

Given that the AIA also establishes a dynamic framework that can evolve with the advancement of AI technologies, CEN-CENELEC has a responsibility to review and adapt existing standards. This ongoing process ensures that the standards remain relevant and effective in the face of rapid technological developments in the field of AI.

In addition to guaranteeing safety and ethics, the standards developed by CEN-CENELEC under the AIA also aim to support innovation and the competitiveness of European companies. By establishing clear and predictable standards, new products and technologies can be brought to market more easily, promoting responsible innovation.

Member states have two years to adapt to the EIA, with full implementation expected in the first half of 2026. During the implementation period, additional technical standards will be developed into binding EU legislation, ensuring compliance. In addition, European standardization organizations are actively developing these standards at the request of the European Commission.

The Technical Commission for Artificial Intelligence (TC 223) represents CEN-CENELEC and ISO.

CEN-CENELEC

CEN-CENELEC’s working groups play an essential role in defining and harmonizing technical standards for AI systems in Europe. Each group focuses on different aspects of AI to ensure comprehensiveness and depth in the standards established:

• WG1 (Strategic Advisory Group): Leads efforts to explore ways to support the implementation of EU legislation and policies on AI.
• WG2 (Operational Aspects): Focuses on the operation, maintenance and monitoring of AI systems, highlighting the importance of audibility and traceability for compliance assessments.
• WG3 (Engineering Aspects): Addresses the technical and engineering requirements of AI systems, covering everything from accountability quality to security, privacy and sustainability aspects.
• WG4 (Foundational & Societal Aspects): Examines the horizontal impacts of automation and autonomy, discussing the operational domains of AI systems and their societal impacts.
• WG5 (Joint Standardization on Cybersecurity for AI Systems): Explores the specific needs for cybersecurity standardization for AI systems, developing relevant standards that ensure the safety of these technologies.

Each working group has sub-groups dedicated to specific topics, ensuring a detailed and specialized approach that supports effective and safe implementation of AI technologies in compliance with European regulatory and ethical requirements.

ISO

The working groups of the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 42 subcommittee are responsible for defining international standards on various aspects of artificial intelligence (AI), each with a specific focus:

• WG1 (Foundational Standards): Develops standardized foundations for AI. Works with concepts, terminologies and frameworks for AI systems based on machine learning. Addresses the AI lifecycle and associated management systems.
• WG2 (Data): Focuses on the reference architecture for big data in the context of AI. Establishes standards for data quality and management, analytical processes and machine learning. Creates guidelines for data quality management and process frameworks.
• WG3 (Trustworthiness): Focuses on the trustworthiness of AI systems. It evaluates aspects such as bias, AI-assisted decision-making, and the robustness of neural networks. It explores risk management, ethical and social concerns, and quality models for AI systems.
• WG4 (Use Cases and Applications): Examines use cases and practical applications of AI for standardization. Develops guidelines covering the entire life cycle of AI systems.
• WG5 (Computational Approaches and Characteristics): It is dedicated to computational approaches and technical characteristics of AI systems. It evaluates machine learning classification performance and the reference architecture for knowledge engineering.

Contributions of the Technical Commission for Artificial Intelligence to Standardization in AI

The Technical Commission supports the development of standards that promote the safe and ethical implementation of AI. The standards established aim to harmonize technical and legal requirements across the EU, encouraging responsible innovation and protecting citizens’ rights. Portugal’s active participation, through TC 223, is key to incorporating national needs into the global context, facilitating access to certifications that prove compliance and reducing competitive risks for national companies.

Strategic Advantages of Participating in the Technical Commission for Artificial Intelligence

Companies participating in TC 223 have early access to information on the standards under development, allowing them to adapt proactively and minimize operational disruptions under the new European regulatory framework. Participation provides a smooth transition period, reduces regulatory barriers and enhances competitiveness in the global market. In addition, influencing the development of standards ensures that national interests are represented, offering a significant strategic advantage.

Participation in the Technical Commission not only facilitates adaptation to the new AI standards, but also strengthens the position of Portuguese companies in the regulated European market. With advantages ranging from advance knowledge to direct influence on the development of standards, participation in the Technical Commission is important for the sustained success of Portuguese innovations in AI.

More information here.