COVID-19 is expected to cause a contraction in GDP of 3 % globally and 7.4 % in Europe. The panellists outlined the strategic importance of the Single Market and standardisation for the economic recovery of the EU and members states while underlining the initiatives taken over the last few months to protect sectors of the economy and avoid a fragmentation of the Single Market. European Commission Director General Kerstin Jorna presented the Commission’s new approach towards economic recovery, focusing on “ecosystems”, which bring together knowledge, skills and technology and show how they are closely intertwined. The importance of ensuring a recovery focused on green and digital transition, including within standards and standardisation, was underlined. Ensuring resilience in value chains must go hand in hand with avoiding fragmentation in the Single Market, as well as preserving free trade.