ESMIG welcomes the objectives of the European Commission’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) to strengthen Europe’s industrial competitiveness, resilience and economic security.
However, for digital and connected technologies deployed in critical infrastructure, a narrow focus on manufacturing location risks overlooking where strategic value is truly created.
In the smart metering sector, value extends far beyond manufacturing and final assembly. It includes:
- Product and system design (R&D)
- Software and firmware development
- Cybersecurity and lifecycle management
- Ownership and control of critical technologies
- Supply chain resilience
As Europe discusses future “Made in Europe” criteria, ESMIG believes assessments should better reflect where strategic value is created in modern technologies. For critical infrastructure, this means looking beyond manufacturing location to factors such as ownership and control, cybersecurity, lifecycle responsibility, resilience and strategic autonomy.