Japan Begins Transition of ISO 14001 Auditor Qualifications, Sets April 2029 Deadline

The Japanese Registration of Certificated Auditors (JRCA) began accepting applications on October 1, 2026, to transition environmental management system (EMS) auditor qualifications to JIS Q 14001:2026.

JSA Opens Call for Cross-Industry Standardization Topics

The Japan Standards Association (JSA) has opened a call for topics for study groups in 2027 that will look at standardization issues affecting several industries or technical fields.

Japan Standards Association Opens 2027 Grants for University Standardization Education

The Japanese Standards Association (JSA) has opened applications for its 2027 grant program supporting standardization education and related research at universities and graduate schools in Japan.

GFSI Food Safety Culture Paper Now Available in Three More Languages

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has published Chinese, Japanese and Spanish translations of the second edition of its food safety culture position paper, making the updated framework more accessible to businesses and food safety professionals worldwide.

Draft Proposal on Manufacturing Quality Misconduct Opens for Comment in Japan

The Quality Misconduct Study Group has published draft recommendations on manufacturing quality misconduct and opened a public consultation until July 13, 2026,

METI Opens Applications for Japan’s 2026 Industrial Standardization Project Awards

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has opened applications for the FY2026 Industrial Standardization Project Awards,

Japan Standards Association Opens Applications For 2026 IEC Young Professionals Workshop

The Japanese Standards Association (JSA) has opened applications for the 2026 IEC Young Professionals Workshop, inviting early-career professionals to take part in international standardization activities. 

Japan Invites Bids to Strengthen Academia’s Role in Standardization

The Japanese Standards Association (JSA) has opened a call for contractors to carry out a 2026 project aimed at strengthening academia’s role in standardization.

Japan Updates Food Labeling Rules for Allergen Information

The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) has revised Japan’s Food Labeling Standards to update allergen information and improve how key safety details are presented on food products.

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.

Japan Names 2026 Recipient Of RQES And JSA Chairman Award

The Robust Quality Engineering Society (RQES) has named Hiroyuki Narahara of Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) as the recipient of the 11th RQES and Japanese Standards Association (JSA) Chairman’s Award.

Japan Revises Certification Rules For Concrete Products

Japan has revised JIS Q 1012, the certification guideline used for concrete products carrying the JIS Mark, aligning it with related standards and introducing changes that simplify factory quality management and allow digital documentation. 

ISO Survey 2025 Shows Global Certification Growth, With Unusually Sharp Rise in India

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has released the 2025 ISO Survey, reporting more than 3.28 million valid management system certificates worldwide.

AIAG Updates Guidelines for Supplier Management and Electronic Assembly

The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) has released updated editions of two Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) guidelines covering supplier management and electronic assembly manufacturing.

IEC 62366-3 for AI Medical Device Usability Reaches Committee Draft Stage

A proposed technical specification providing guidance on usability engineering for medical devices using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), IEC 62366-3, has reached the committee draft stage.

ISO/IEC 27017:2026 Updates Information Security Controls for Cloud Services

ISO and IEC have published ISO/IEC 27017:2026, an updated international standard providing guidance on information security controls for cloud services.

ISO Seeks Feedback on Draft ISO 56011 for Innovation Management Competencies

ISO/DIS 56011, a draft international standard outlining the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to manage innovation effectively, is now open for feedback.

ISO Publishes New Guide on Education About Standardization Around the World

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published Education about Standardization: Perspectives and Practices (PUB100508), a new guide exploring how standards are being integrated into education systems worldwide.

ISO/IEC 9837:2026 Establishes Common Concepts for Systems Resilience

ISO/IEC 9837:2026, a new international standard on systems resilience, provides a common basis for understanding how systems can withstand disruptions, adapt to adverse conditions, and recover from failures.

2026 Deming Prize Winners Announced

The Deming Prize Committee announced the 2026 winners on October 6, recognizing two individuals for their contributions to quality management and four organizations from Japan, India, and Indonesia.

Draft ISO/IEC 42007 Sets Framework for AI Conformity Assessment Schemes

ISO and IEC are developing ISO/IEC DIS 42007, a framework for conformity assessment schemes for artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

ISO Approves Development of Innovation Management Guidance for Startups and SMEs

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has approved a new project to develop innovation management guidance for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

BRCGS Consumer Products Issue 5 Set for Launch at Connect Americas

BRCGS will launch Consumer Products Issue 5 at BRCGS Connect Americas in Nashville on October 13, 2026, introducing a revised certification standard for consumer product manufacturers. Audits against the new edition will begin on June 1, 2027.

GRI Begins Developing Sustainability Reporting Standard for Food and Beverages

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has begun developing a new Sector Standard for food and beverage companies, covering sustainability impacts across their own operations and value chains.