Ibadan, 22 April 2026. – The Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS) has submitted additional comments on the draft EU Space Act, calling for a regulatory approach that better reflects the operational realities of emerging in-space servicing markets.
The industry group expressed support for the European Union’s effort to establish a harmonized legal framework for space activities, noting that regulatory clarity and predictability will be key to enabling commercial growth in in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM).
However, CONFERS argues that servicing vehicles should be approved at the system or vehicle level, rather than on a mission-by-mission basis, allowing operators conduct multiple activities over a spacecraft’s lifetime without repeated regulatory reviews. According to the group, such approach would reduce administrative burden while supporting scalable business models for commercial providers.
Furthermore, the group cautioned against mandating a single hardware standard for satellite servicing interfaces. Instead, it advocated for performance-based guidelines that enable interoperability across competing commercial systems, allowing technologies to mature through market competition rather than regulatory selection.
CONFERS also emphasized the importance of incorporating existing international standards into the regulatory framework. The organization pointed to industry-developed voluntary consensus standards, including those produced in collaboration with established standards bodies, as a foundation for safe and interoperable operations.
The EU Space Act will potentially play a significant role in shaping the regulatory environment for commercial space activities across Europe and beyond. Meanwhile, CONFERS, representing more than 80 companies and institutions globally, is prepared to work with EU policymakers to ensure the final legislation supports innovation while maintaining safety and sustainability in orbit.
