Specialist Task Forces (STFs) are teams of highly skilled experts, brought together to perform specific technical work under the direction of an ETSI Technical committee. This technical committee is ultimately responsible for approving the standards produced by the STF.

STFs enable ETSI to accelerate the standardization process in areas of strategic importance and in response to urgent market needs.  About 25% of standards are drafted by STFs.  The STFs therefore represent an asset for ETSI to perform the overall work programme in a timely manner.

Funding for STFs is provided by the ETSI budget, the European Commission (EC) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and by voluntary contribution from ETSI Members, to answer their specific requests.

How STFs work

Experts for STFs are proposed by or supported by Members. ETSI provides financial compensation to the company sending the expert for their work in the STF.

STFs hold their working sessions in the ETSI premises, where the experts work together and share skills in a multicultural environment.  The experts work full-time or part-time over the duration of the project, according to the requirements of the project and their own availability.  The organization of the working sessions, normally in blocks of one to three weeks at a time, allows part-time experts to continue their normal activity in their company.

The ETSI Secretariat provides support to the STF experts for producing standards efficiently.  It provides assistance with editing, software/hardware, project management, contractual, financial and logistical matters, organization of meetings, and guidance for the use of specification methodologies and tools.

You can find more information on the Specialist Task Forces, their working methods and procedures in the STF section of the ETSI portal.