Standardization is a strategic lever to structure, secure, and scale up additive manufacturing (AM) at the industrial level. It provides a common language across the value chain, facilitates the qualification of processes and parts, and builds trust among industry, research, and regulatory stakeholders. Far from being a constraint, standardization is a powerful enabler: it accelerates innovation, reduces barriers to adoption, and ensures interoperability across technologies and markets. At the same time, engaging in standardization means more than simply following technical rules. It offers the opportunity to anticipate technological trends, actively contribute to the development of international reference frameworks, and showcase one’s expertise on a global stage. It also provides access to high-level intelligence and early insight into the standards shaping tomorrow’s industry. What initiatives are currently underway? What major developments are expected in the coming years? And above all, why and how should one become a player in standardization? These questions will be addressed in this presentation, with a particular focus on the European S-AM project.

Keywords: qualification – certification – standardization