The European Commission has adopted a Charter of Access for Industrial Users to Research and Technology Infrastructures, designed to make it easier and faster for European companies to access research facilities, expertise, services and data.
Developed in the context of the European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures and the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the Charter aims to strengthen links between research infrastructures and industry, supporting innovation, technology development and Europe’s competitiveness.
The Charter sets out six guiding principles for improving industrial access. These include simplifying access and increasing the visibility of available services, ensuring transparency and service quality, establishing clear contractual arrangements, safeguarding intellectual property, providing tailored support to companies, and strengthening cooperation and access to data across infrastructures, sectors and borders.
Intellectual property management is an important element of the initiative. By encouraging clear and transparent arrangements for IP ownership and use, the Charter seeks to give companies greater confidence when collaborating with research and technology infrastructures and developing innovative solutions.
Organisations can voluntarily endorse the Charter, demonstrating their commitment to improving access conditions for industrial users. An interactive map will showcase participating organisations and their infrastructures.
To further support implementation, the Commission is also running an outreach campaign and call for good practices, inviting research and technology infrastructures to share successful examples of collaboration with industrial users. Selected practices will contribute to an open repository and may be featured through European Commission events and communication activities.
Sources
- Publication date
- 24 September 2026
- Author
- European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency