DEKRA and BSI Receive First Accreditations for High Risk AI Systems Under EU AI Act

The Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA) has granted the first accreditations under the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) to DEKRA and the British Standards Institution (BSI) for certification of high-risk AI systems in biometrics.

Serbia Updates Accreditation Requirements for Organic Product Certification Bodies

The Accreditation Body of Serbia (ATS) has announced updates to accreditation scopes for certification bodies in organic food production following the adoption of a new Law on Organic Production, which takes effect on June 1, 2026.

CEN Merges Postal and Logistics Committees into Expanded Transport Standardization Body

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is merging its postal services committee into its transport and logistics committee, creating a single body covering transport, logistics, and postal services.

JSA Launches International Standardization Strategy Center

The Japan Standards Association (JSA) established a new International Standardization Strategy Promotion Center on April 1, 2026, to support government-led priority sectors and strengthen Japan’s role in international standardization.

China Tightens GMP Rules For Medical Device Manufacturers Effective November 2026

The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has revised China’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements for medical devices, introducing stricter quality management system rules that will take effect on November 1, 2026 and replace the current 2014 version.

FSC Introduces Interim Forest Stewardship Standard for South Africa’s Natural Forests

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has introduced an interim standard for South Africa’s natural forests, setting clear rules for responsible forest management and certification from July 1, 2026.

India Invites MSMEs to Join Healthcare Standards Committees

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is inviting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to join technical committees in its Medical Equipment and Hospital Planning Department (MHD), opening the standardization process to a wider range of industry participants. 

Vietnam Draft Standard Sets Clear Metrics for Online Public Services

The Commission for Standards, Metrology and Quality of Viet Nam (STAMEQ) has introduced a draft national standard for online public services that defines how user experience will be measured using specific indicators.

AI Certification and CBAM Featured in March Accredia Letter

The Italian Accreditation Body (Accredia) has released the March edition of its Accredia Letter, highlighting key developments in accreditation, certification, and regulatory updates.

Dutch Healthcare Information Security Standard Updated to Align With ISO 27799

The Royal Netherlands Standardization Institute (NEN) has published an amendment to NEN 7510-2 to align it with ISO 27799,

ANSI Outlines Implementation Plan for U.S. Standards Strategy 2025

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has outlined how it will move the U.S. Standards Strategy 2025 (USSS) into implementation,

TIC Industry Conference in Beijing Focuses on Trust, Restructuring, and Global Standards Role

The China Quality Certification Center (CQC) hosted the 2026 annual conference on testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) in Beijing on March 26, focusing on strengthening trust, supporting trade, and guiding industry transformation.

ISO 14001 Fourth Edition Officially Released

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published ISO 14001:2026, marking the release of the fourth edition of the world’s most widely used environmental management systems standard. 

Global ACI Introduced: IAF and ILAC Successor Presents New Identity

A new international accreditation body, Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, has introduced a new identity as Global ACI, including a logo and communication channels after starting operations on January 1, 2026.

ISO 17067 Revision Expands Conformity Assessment Schemes

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Committee on Conformity Assessment (CASCO) is revising ISO/IEC 17067 to expand its scope from product certification to a broader framework for conformity assessment schemes.

ISO Establishes Working Group on Environmental and Social Impact Data in Agrifood Systems

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has set up a new working group under ISO/TC 347 to develop a standardized way to record and share data on environmental and social impacts across agrifood supply chains.

European AI Standard for Computer Vision prEN 18281 Enters Public Enquiry

A European draft standard, prEN 18281, for evaluating AI systems that analyze images and video has entered public enquiry, setting out how such systems should be assessed as part of the broader framework supporting the EU AI Act.

Work Begins on IEC 60601-1 Medical Electrical Equipment Safety Standard Update

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has begun work on updating IEC 60601-1, the core standard for the safety and essential performance of medical electrical equipment.

ISSB Proposes Updates to Three SASB Standards, Refining Sustainability Reporting in Agriculture, Food and Power

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has issued a consultation on proposed amendments to three Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards to support alignment with IFRS S1 and IFRS S2,

FSC Proposes New Approach To Intact Forest Landscapes Protection

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has launched two public consultations on draft Advice Notes to strengthen how Intact Forest Landscapes (IFLs) are managed and protected.

VDA Releases Automotive SPICE Yellow Volume 3rd Revised Edition for Public Review

The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) Quality Management Center (QMC) has released the Automotive SPICE Yellow Volume 3rd revised edition, opening a public feedback period until May 12, 2026.

Technical Guides Explain 2026 Updates to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

Global certification body Bureau Veritas has released two technical guides on the revised versions of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001,

VDA 20 Guide on AI in Quality Management Opens for Feedback

The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has released VDA 20 – AI in Quality Management as a draft document and opened it for public feedback until June 30, 2026,

ISO 14155 on Clinical Investigations of Medical Devices in Humans Updated

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published ISO 14155:2026, updating the global Good Clinical Practice standard for clinical investigations of medical devices in human subjects.