WIREDGOV

Yesterday the European Commission published a strategy to support the Digitisation of European Industry, as part of its ongoing Digital Single Market strategy.

Commenting on the launch of the strategy, Charlotte Holloway, Head of Policy at techUK, commented:

“The fortunes of manufacturing businesses large and small across Europe will be determined by how effective they are at adapting to an ever more digital world. Harnessed correctly, digital technologies can help Europe’s two million manufacturing businesses become more efficient and drive their competitiveness. Many British manufacturers have supply chains that operate across Europe, so a coordinated and harmonised European approach has the potential to reduce cost and drive scale - creating new opportunities for growth.

“However, it is important that the European Commission works closely with digital innovators to make this strategy work in practice. For example, the planned Free Flow of Data Initiative should help Europe compete on a global scale, without separating European data flows from the rest of the world. Important questions remain on liability regimes in the new Internet of Things and automated devices industries – those can only be overcome through a better understanding of technical feasibility and the latest market developments.”