IFHAB Meeting in Saudi Arabia Focuses on Halal Standards and Integration

Saudi Arabia hosted the annual meeting of the General Assembly of the Islamic Forum for Halal Accreditation Bodies (IFHAB) on December 18, 2024, in Makkah.

FDA Overhauls ‘Healthy’ Food Labeling with Stricter Criteria

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule updating the criteria for the “healthy” nutrient content claim on food packaging.

Modica PGI Chocolate Sets Another Benchmark with QR Code Digital Passport

Modica PGI Chocolate has introduced a QR Code-based digital passport, further enhancing transparency and consumer engagement.

Dr. Oetker Earns Halal Certification for Products Manufactured in Hungary

Dr. Oetker, a well-known food manufacturer specializing in baking and dessert products, has obtained Halal certification for 26 of its products manufactured in Hungary.

€132 Million Allocated to Promote Sustainable Agri-Food Products from the EU

The European Commission has allocated €132 million to promote sustainable and high-quality agri-food products from the European Union (EU) and expand their global market presence.

Italy Launches First Specifications for Animal Welfare, Making SQNBA Fully Certifiable Framework

Italy has launched the first five technical specifications of the National Animal Welfare Quality System (SQNBA), focusing on beef cattle, dairy cattle, and free-range pigs.

Republika Srpska Opens Public Consultation on Organic Production Law

The Organic Production Law Draft in Republika Srpska has entered a 90-day public consultation period.

Mongolia Seeks Public Comments on Draft Sea Buckthorn Oil Standard

The Mongolian Agency for Standardization and Metrology (MASM) has prepared the draft of MNS 0783:2024, a general standard for sea buckthorn oil.

Public Input Sought for French Eco-Design Standard Aimed at Helping Producers Go Green

France is seeking public input for the revision of the AFNOR standard NF X30-264, which aims to equip companies with the necessary tools to implement effective eco-design strategies.

Southern Serbia Specialty Leskovačka Ljutenica Earns International Recognition

Leskovačka ljutenica, a traditional spicy vegetable relish from southern Serbia, has been officially certified and registered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva.

Confectionery Kraš Captures Triple Recertification for Quality, Environmental, and Energy Management

Kraš d.d., a prominent Croatian confectionery company, has successfully achieved triple recertification through Quality Austria Adriatic.

ECA Report Highlights Gaps in EU Food Labelling Framework

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has published a report on food labelling in the EU, identifying significant gaps in the legal framework and oversight.

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.

ISO 17024 Third Edition Published: Updated Rules For Certification Of Persons

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have published the third edition of ISO/IEC 17024,

ISO 12100 Machinery Safety Revision Stalls Over Risk Definition Dispute

The revision of  ISO 12100, the core standard for machinery safety, remains unresolved following a negative international vote, with key disagreements, including on alignment with EU requirements.