NiNAS Recognized for Key Accreditation Standards by Continental and International Bodies

The Nigerian National Accreditation System (NiNAS) has achieved Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) status with the African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) for six key accreditation standards.

Zimbabwe’s Interim Standard Aims to Halt Deforestation and Advance Sustainable Forestry

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has released a new Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Zimbabwe,

Five Countries Take Part in ISO 50001 Energy Management Training in South Africa

A new regional Training-of-Trainers (ToT) program focused on ISO 50001, the Energy Management System Standard,

Switzerland Invites Public Comments on ISO 9001 Draft Revision

Switzerland is calling on experts and stakeholders to review and comment on ISO/DIS 9001:2025,

Zambia Adopts FSC Provisional Standard for Responsible Forest Use

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has introduced a new Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Zambia.

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).

Codex Commission’s 48th Session Confirms Updates Across Core Food Safety Standards

The Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted major changes to international food-safety rules during its 48th session in Rome from November 10 to 14.

ISO 13485 Application Guide, TS 23485, Under Way After Standard Confirmed as Current

A new guide on how to apply ISO 13485 is moving through development shortly after the standard was reconfirmed in its 2016 version (no revision will be done), despite remaining unaligned with the Annex SL structure.

A Different Approach: China Strengthens Oversight of Certification Bodies from 2026

China has issued new regulations that directly target accredited certification bodies that ignore international requirements, and the new rules will take effect on January 1, 2026.

ISO and IEC Develop Global Standard to Embed Ecodesign in Medical Devices

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) are developing a new global standard to formally integrate ecodesign into the development of medical devices.

IFS Releases Updated Guideline for Effective Foreign Body Management

International Featured Standards (IFS) has issued an updated Guideline for an Effective Foreign Body Management,

Germany Heads Most ISO Secretariats But China Rapidly Gains Ground

Germany remains the world’s top country in international standardization, holding 17.1% of all ISO secretariats, according to the 2025 International Standardization Barometer published by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN).

Europe Now Conditionally Accepts FDA Inspections Conducted Abroad

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have entered a new stage of cooperation under their Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections.

New International Standard in Development for Microbial Cultures and Probiotics

Work has begun within ISO to create a global standard that defines how microorganisms used in food and feed, such as bacteria, yeasts, and fungi, should be characterized and quality assured.

BS 30480 Launched as the World’s First Standard on Suicide Awareness in the Workplace

The world’s first standard dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention in the workplace, BS 30480, has been released by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

IATF Updates GM Quick Reference Guide on How Auditors Review Scorecard Data.

The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) has issued an updated GM Scorecard Quick Reference Guide and Screen Images package to align with the latest Rules for Achieving and Maintaining IATF Recognition (6th edition).

GLOBALG.A.P. Gets New IT Platform for Certification and Transparency

GLOBALG.A.P. now operates on a new IT platform developed by Agraya GmbH together with its technology partner osapiens.

Standards Pavilion Expands at COP30 with Broader Coalition on Climate Policy and Finance

The Standards Pavilion has opened at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where 21 international organizations are discussing how standards can support measurable climate action.