Switzerland Opens Comment Period on First European Standards for Digital Product Passports

The first six draft standards for the European Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are now open for public comment in Switzerland until September 5, 2025.

Africa Sets Up Continental Agency to Harmonize Food Safety Standards

Africa has adopted a statute to create the Africa Food Safety Agency, a major step toward coordinating and harmonizing food safety standards and regulations across the continent.

Mondi Becomes First in Africa to Earn Cradle to Cradle Certification

Mondi Merebank, based in South Africa, has become the first company on the continent to earn a Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certificate.

Bank of Namibia Upgrades National Payment System to ISO 20022

The Bank of Namibia has successfully transitioned its Namibia Interbank Settlement System (NISS) to the ISO 20022 global payment messaging standard, effective May 12, 2025.

East African Community Proposes New Standard for Food Labeling

The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has released a draft general standard for the labeling of prepackaged foods under the East African Community (EAC) framework.

Tanzania Aligns New Pepper Standard With Codex Food Safety Limits

The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has issued a new national standard for black and white pepper, covering both whole and ground forms. The standard, announced on April 8, sets clear safety, quality, and labeling rules in line with international benchmarks.

South African Forest Certification Expands Regionally and Enters PEFC Assessment

The South African Forestry Assurance Scheme (SAFAS) has expanded its national forest certification system into a regional framework for Southern Africa and submitted it for endorsement by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

Morocco Launches Online Service for Certificates of Conformity, Streamlining Foreign Trade

Morocco's Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in collaboration with PortNet, has introduced a new online service for managing Certificates of Conformity (CoCs).

Open Call for ICT Standardization Experts in Five Countries Under GIST Project

An open call has been launched to recruit experts in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) standardization for the Global Partnership for Human-Centric ICT Standardization Project (GIST).

Mauritius Breaks Ground with First Geographical Indications in Agriculture

Mauritius has established its first-ever Geographical Indications (GIs), marking a major milestone in the nation's agricultural sector.

Nigeria Calls for Dual-Marking Standards at ARSO Meeting in Casablanca

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) underlined the need for dual-marking standards at the 14th ARSO Champions meeting in Casablanca, Morocco.

Nigeria’s Healthcare Sector Leverages ISO Certifications to Reverse Medical Tourism

Nigeria’s healthcare system is taking strides to retain local patients and curb outbound medical tourism by implementing ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems (QMS) and ISO 15189 for medical laboratory competence.

Geely Auto Breaks Ground With First Global ISO 8800 AI Safety Certification

Geely Auto has received the world’s first certification under the new ISO/PAS 8800:2024 standard for AI safety in road vehicles.

First Meeting of IWA 50 Launches Work on Hydrological Risk Standards

The first online meeting of IWA 50 will be held on October 7, marking the start of international work on guidelines and potential standards for managing floods, droughts, and water scarcity.

NIST Publishes New Cryptography Standard to Protect Small Devices

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has finalized its NIST SP 800-232, a new standard to secure small, resource-limited electronics against cyberattacks.

CSQ Releases Cannabis Standards for Retail and Warehousing & Distribution, Updates Supplements

Cannabis Safety and Quality (CSQ) has released new safety and quality standards for retail, warehousing and distribution, along with updated requirements for dietary supplement products.

China’s Zenith-Ward Pathfinders Team Wins Top Award at International Standards Olympiad

The 20th International Standards Olympiad, organized by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS),

EASI Model Becomes First Sustainability Governance Scheme Accredited by Accredia

The EASI Model has been introduced as the first governance scheme accredited by Accredia and open to independent certification.

Core Medical Device Safety Standard IEC 60601-1 Overhaul Puts Software, Connectivity and AI in Focus

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has launched a major revision of its foundational medical device safety standard, IEC 60601-1.

Geneva Meeting on Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Ends Without Agreement

The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2) met in Geneva from August 5 to 15 to finalize a global, legally binding treaty on plastic pollution.

IAF Issues Framework for Tackling Risks of Counterfeit Certificates

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) has released IAF ID 17:2025, a new informative document that provides a framework for managing risks related to counterfeit certificates.

SGS Launches Guidances to Support Transition to New Versions of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

SGS has released two new guidance resources to help organizations prepare for the upcoming revisions of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, both scheduled for release in 2026.

Revised ISO 30500 Standard Boosts Sustainable Sanitation in Non-Sewered Areas

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has released a revised version of ISO 30500, the international standard for non-sewered sanitation systems.

ISO 22002 PRP Standards on Food Safety Overhauled With New Umbrella and Sectoral Updates

The ISO 22002-100:2025 standard on prerequisite programmes (PRPs) for food safety introduces a common framework for hygiene and safety practices across the food, feed, and packaging supply chain, forming the new foundation of the ISO 22002 series.