Standardization and Innovation within the Green Buildings field: Insights from Europe

A research project was conducted by the two PhD students Markus Arnez Wegelius and Philip Hedestad from the Standardisation Research Centre, within the Institute of Economic Research at Lund University, Sweden, and with the supervision of Mr. Daniele Gerundino, Strategic Adviser to the Secretary-General (ISO). The project was sponsored by ISO (The International Organization for Standardization), NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and EURAMET (European Association of National Metrology Institutes). The purpose of the study was to investigate the relation between standardization and innovation within the field of Green Buildings, with a focus on insulation materials and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). The research project analysed the activities undertaken by key stakeholders involved, in particular: research and development groups from industry, government agencies and academia, and leading standards experts involved in the field or in closely related areas. The analysis focused on describing existing or potential forms of relations between standardization and innovation, understanding the dynamics, attitudes and perceptions of the concerned parties, considering in detail success stories and failures, and from this information, conclude with recommendations on how to establish and exploit synergies between R&D and standardization. In total, 25 in-depth interviews were undertaken with experts and practitioners within the field.