On 17 September 2025, DG DEFIS held a workshop together with the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven ((KUL) on the design of voluntary measures in the field of space traffic management.
This workshop followed the presentation of the EU Space Label study report in March 2024 and explored further details and context for creating voluntary measures that complement binding obligations outlined in the Commission proposal for an EU Space Act, and that appeal to their main target group – the EU space industry.
Based on a large collection of academic papers, 17 experts in the fields of academics, space industry and citizens discussed in two panel discussions and one roundtable intriguing areas such as:
- non-binding measures including standards and standard-like measures in support of STM;
- from soft-law to practice: national implementation, labelling, and certification for operator uptake;
- the EU’s role in driving practical implementation of non-binding measures and standards for STM: challenges, opportunities, and recommendations
The purpose of this workshop was to offer DG DEFIS insights, guidance and recommendations on what to avoid and what to keep in mind in the design, development and implementation of non-binding measures such as labels or best practices in the field of space traffic management.
The conclusions of this workshop, together with the papers submitted by the experts, will be gathered in a Final Study Report. This Report will help guide DG DEFIS in the development of voluntary STM measures in the coming months and also kick off the work of STM subgroup 3 on regulatory STM aspects.
Background
The workshop on STM voluntary measures falls under the implementation of avenue three on ‘fostering STM regulatory aspects’ of the EU approach on STM.
More information
Details
- Publication date
- 17 September 2025
- Author
- Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space