German Chancellor Angela Merkel has suggested that Europe sets up a dedicated agency to certify components for 5G networks.
Such an agency could help address security concerns over equipment from Chinese suppliers, including Huawei. The vendor has strongly denied US allegations that its kit is used for government spying but the row has left many EU countries weighing their 5G security strategy.
Merkel’s suggestion is based on the European Medicines Agency, which evaluates pharmaceutical drugs in the European Union (EU).
Merkel said that allowing each EU member state to pursue its own China policy would be “one of the biggest dangers”.
“This would not only be devastating for China, but also for us in Europe,” she said, according to a Bloomberg report.
Member states are due to agree on EU-level measures to mitigate measures 5G cybersecurity risks by 31 December 2019, following a report published in October.
By 1 October 2020, Member States must assess the recommendations to determine whether further action is needed.