Emergency communications
Developing standards to support IP-based emergency communications services, involving communications between IoT devices in emergency situations.
The standards we develop streamline connections between people, data and intelligent applications to foster personal health, wellbeing and public safety.
Why standards matter
From fitness trackers and telemedicine to emergency communication networks, the use of information and communications technology (ICT) is foundational to our health and wellbeing. Alongside developing standards for eHealth and smart body area networks (BANs), ETSI supports the work of Europe’s emergency services with standards for sharing critical voice and multimedia data between public agencies, front-line workers and citizens.
Key activities and focus areas
Supporting EAA
Supporting the European Accessibility Act (EAA) with standard on accessibility and interoperability of emergency communications, and for answering of emergency communications by public safety answering points (PSAPs).
Standards for eHealth
Development of specifications on data recording requirements for eHealth.
Body Area Networks
Addressing the need for global standards to support the market success of BAN technology.
Key technical groups
Technical Committee (TC)
SC USER
Ensuring standardisation work in ETSI reflects requirements of all users of ICT products and services, including consumers and businesses, network operators, service providers and individuals...
Technical Committee (TC)
TC eHEALTH
Developing technical standards in the eHEALTH domain to ensure interoperability, efficiency, security, privacy and safety in the provision of health services worldwide.
Technical Committee (TC)
TC EMTEL
Access to emergency services through different media, data transmission to public safety answering points, networks and IoT devices in the provision of emergency situations and...
Technical Committee (TC)
TC HF
Embedding usability and user experience across the digital networked economy; setting standards for accessibility of ICT products and services in support of EU regulations and...
Technical Committee (TC)
TC SAFETY
Monitoring developments in electromagnetic fields (EMF), electrical safety and safety in cable television systems, in co-ordination with other European and international standards organisations.
Technical Committee (TC)
TC SmartBAN
Development and implementation of Smart Body Area Network (BAN) technologies (Wireless BAN, Personal BAN, Personal Networks) in health, wellness, leisure, sport and other domains.
Related news
Press Release
21 May 2026
ETSI launches new Technical Committee on Critical Communications Systems
The specification ensures that emergency communications operate successfully despite growing complexity in the network environment.
News
20 May 2025
ETSI Speech Transmission Quality Conference: A Call to Action from People with Disabilities
Last week, the ETSI Speech Transmission Quality (STQ) conference opened with a strong message: technology must serve all of society - not just the most...
