CNA, as a long-standing participant in technical standardisation at national, European and international levels, renews its commitment to support the digital and green transition of SMEs in the textile sector. Through this pledge, CNA aims to bridge the gap between SMEs and standardisation processes, ensuring that small businesses have both the tools and the opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the development of standards.

CNA will implement the following actions:

• Collaboration with UNI – the Italian National Standardisation Body, focusing particularly on the Technical Commission 46 – Textile and Clothing, and its dedicated Working Group on Sustainability, established in 2018. This group develops and aligns standards related to sustainability and circular economy within the textile sector, covering aspects such as terminology, safety, environmental requirements, labelling, and testing methods;
• Engagement of SMEs experts in ongoing standardisation efforts, both in CT 46 and in CT 57 – Circular Economy, ensuring that SME perspectives are reflected in the development of national and European standards, including coordination with ISO and CEN committees;
• Identification of key Technical Committees and Working Groups at UNI and European levels (CEN-CENELEC, ETSI) where SME participation remains low, in order to facilitate access and increase their contribution to the standardisation of innovative digital and sustainable technologies in the textiles ecosystem;
• Development of training and outreach tools (e.g. webinars, toolkits, info sessions), in partnership with UNI, to improve SME literacy and participation in technical standardisation activities;
• Collaboration with European SME stakeholders, notably Small Business Standards (SBS), to share the Italian experience and methodology with other national SME organisations, encouraging a coordinated and scalable European approach to SME inclusion in sustainable textile standardisation.