Advancing Quality Infrastructure: Highlights from Belgrade’s Quality Forum 2024

The 33rd Quality Forum, held on November 13–14, 2024, in Belgrade, convened numerous experts and participants from Serbia and neighboring countries.

Serbia Introduces New Accreditation Scheme for GHG Verification Bodies

The Accreditation Body of Serbia (ATS) has launched a new accreditation scheme for bodies verifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reports.

Montenegro Invites Applications for First-Ever Tourism Quality Label

The National Tourism Organization of Montenegro (NTO CG) has launched its inaugural quality label, "Montenegro Quality" (MQ), inviting applications from businesses in tourism, hospitality, and related sectors.

Republic of Srpska Updates Organic Production Law to Align With EU Standards

The Government of the Republic of Srpska has adopted a draft law on organic production, aligning it with the EU's new regulations on organic production and labeling.

REFORD Recognized as PEFC Member for North Macedonia in General Assembly

The PEFC General Assembly has officially recognized the Regional Centre for Forestry and Rural Development (REFORD) as North Macedonia's PEFC national member.

First Digitalized Exhibition on Standardization in Serbia Now Available Online

The first digitalized exhibition on standardization in Serbia is now accessible online, offering access to a portal with records on standardization from historical print media.

ATS Earns CAF Effective User Certification

The Accreditation Body of Serbia (ATS) has been awarded the CAF Effective User certification,

Papuk Nature Park Introduces Guidelines for “100% Papuk” Logo to Promote Heritage and Sustainability

Papuk Nature Park has released a rulebook detailing the conditions for using the “100% Papuk” logo, promoting sustainable practices, quality, and cultural heritage.

Livanjski Sir Becomes First Origin Protected Product from Bosnia and Herzegovina in EU

Livanjski Sir has become the first product from the Balkans outside of EU-member countries to secure EU protection for its origin.

New Macedonian Standard for Concrete Structures Open for Public Review

The Institute for Standardization of the Republic of North Macedonia (ISRSM) has opened a public review for its standard for concrete structures.

Krk Island Becomes First in Croatia to Earn Zero Waste Certification

Krk Island has become Croatia's first and the world's second island to achieve Zero Waste certification, awarded by Zero Waste Europe’s Mission Zero Academy.

New Editions of HZN e-Bulletin and Catalog for Normative Documents Released by Croatian Standards Institute

The Croatian Standards Institute (HZN) has released the latest editions of its HZN e-Bulletin and Catalog for Normative Documents, featuring recent developments in national and international standards.

IFS Publishes New Guideline to Support Wholesale and Cash & Carry Audits

IFS has released a new guideline to help companies prepare for audits under the IFS Wholesale and Cash & Carry 3 Standard.

Shift to Green Coding Responds to Rising Energy and Environmental Pressure

Green coding, the practice of designing and writing software that uses less energy, is becoming an important part of modern software development.

IATF Releases New Updates to Rules 6th Edition and IATF 16949

The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) has approved Stakeholder Communiqué SC-2025-003, announcing new Sanctioned Interpretations and Frequently Asked Questions for both the Rules 6th Edition and the automotive quality standard IATF 16949.

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).