Geopolitics of Semiconductor Standards & High-Performance Computing Chips: De-Risking China Project is one of the beneficiaries of a grant under the first Open Call under InDiCo-Global, which is a project funded as part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 101136022. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The proposed activity will conduct a comprehensive landscaping analysis of the semiconductor and high-performance computing (HPC) standards environment in China. This initiative maps out the regulatory and standardisation landscapes, identifying potential risks and opportunities and proposing actionable strategies to harmonise standards and mitigate dependencies. Semiconductors are pivotal in the digital economy, and China’s standardisation efforts under the ​

‘China Standards 2035’ initiative aim to influence global technology standards. This project will analyse the impact of these efforts on the EU’s semiconductor industry, aligning findings with the EU Chips Act and the “Chips for Europe” initiative to ensure that European standards are resilient, competitive, and aligned with global advancements. ​

The activity will fill existing knowledge gaps by benchmarking Chinese standards against those of the EU and identifying areas of convergence and divergence. By providing strategic recommendations, the study will help the EU navigate the challenges posed by China’s rapidly evolving standardisation landscape, emphasising security, economic resilience, and reducing dependency. Additionally, the project will support the establishment of an early warning mechanism to monitor and respond to divergences in technical standards. Leveraging partnerships with CASSIS at Bonn University, Würzburg University’s China Business & Economics Chair, and industry experts, the study will deliver data-driven insights and strategic foresight, enhancing the EU’s positioning in global semiconductor and HPC standardisation. 

In today’s global economy, technology serves as a strategic linchpin, shaping industries, economies, and geopolitical landscapes. At the heart of this dynamic ecosystem lies the intricate relationship between innovation and technical standards—an essential yet often overlooked force driving progress.

I am committed to shedding light on this critical innovation-standardization nexus, advocating for its recognition in both geopolitical and geo-economic contexts. My work focuses on demystifying corporate innovation management and high-tech standardization, offering insights into how technical standards act as a powerful resource for both industry and state actors. By fostering a more systematic approach to standards management, we can unlock new opportunities for innovation while mitigating risks.

One key initiative within this space is the development of a robust database designed to power data analytics solutions for standardization efforts. This tool aims to identify and address the risks associated with diverging technical standards, ensuring greater alignment and efficiency in global markets.

Through a data-driven approach, we can enhance the strategic role of standards in innovation, equipping organizations with the insights needed to navigate an increasingly complex technological landscape.