The European Telecommunications Standards Instituteurges EU to anchor standardisation at the core of the upcoming Quantum Act
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has issued its formal response to the European Commission’s call for evidence on the EU Quantum Act, signalling that standardisation must play a central role in Europe’s quantum strategy. The Commission is preparing legislation to implement the Quantum Europe Strategy, which aims to strengthen Europe’s position in quantum communications, sensing, computing and networks.
In its submission, ETSI stresses that quantum technologies cannot reach market maturity or scale without a harmonised standards framework. It highlights the importance of interoperability, security and predictable technical requirements to support industrial development and ensure that quantum solutions can be deployed across borders. To advance this work, ETSI recently launched its Technical Committee on Quantum Technologies, a new body tasked with developing standards for quantum communication, sensing, network architectures and associated security capabilities.
ETSI notes that the Committee brings together more than 900 organisations from 64 countries, offering a platform for technical coordination between governments, research communities, start-ups, and major industry players. The institute also points to its long-standing work in post-quantum cryptography and Quantum Key Distribution as evidence of Europe’s established expertise, arguing that the Quantum Act should build on these foundations and align with the broader European roadmap for transitioning to post-quantum security.
The response warns that fragmented national approaches and supply-chain vulnerabilities pose risks to Europe’s competitiveness. ETSI urges the Commission to include targeted support for standardisation, certification, skills development and technology transfer within the Act. Doing so, it argues, would ensure that European research translates into deployable technologies and that “global standards, made in Europe” shape international markets.
ETSI concludes by stating its readiness to support the Commission in shaping the Quantum Act and accelerating quantum technology deployment across the EU.
