Sweden Improving Inclusion With Two Free Accessibility Standards

The Swedish Post and Telecom Agency (PTS) is making both the European standard Design for All (SS-EN 17161 Universal Design) and the global standard for cognitive design, ISO 21801, accessible to everyone free of charge.

NATO Membership Triggers Sweden's Defense Accreditation and Standards Updates

Sweden has updated its certification and accreditation requirements in the defense sector following its full NATO membership in March 2024.

Simplified Sustainability Reporting Now Available for Sweden’s Small Enterprises

Sweden has introduced a new self-declaration to make sustainability reporting easier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Sweden Launches TS 560 Certification Based on ISO 56001 to Strengthen Innovation Management

Swedac has approved TS 560, a new national certification scheme that enables Swedish organizations to demonstrate structured innovation management practices.

SamCert Becomes First in Europe to Earn AI Certification Under ISO 42001

SamCert, a consulting firm based in Strömstad, has become the first company in Europe to be certified under ISO 42001, the new international standard for artificial intelligence management systems.

Sweden Steps Up Support for Ukraine’s Quality Infrastructure and EU Goals

Sweden is deepening its cooperation with Ukraine to help build the country’s quality infrastructure and support its EU accession process.

Sweden Introduces Certification for Inclusive Design with New Standard

A new Swedish standard, SS-EN 17161, now enables organizations to certify their management systems for inclusive design, ensuring that products, services, and environments are accessible to a broader range of users.

Sweden Makes Natural Value Inventory Standards Freely Available

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) has purchased free access to standards developed by the Swedish Institute for Standards (SIS) for natural value inventories, aiming to improve quality and enhance biodiversity protection.

Swedish and Icelandic Accreditation Bodies Extend Collaboration for 2025

Since 2022, Swedac and Iceland's national accreditation body, ISAC, have collaborated to support ISAC's accreditation efforts.

How Sweden Leverages Standards to Advance Sustainable Construction

Sweden is strengthening its efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the construction sector by half within five years, with standardization playing a key role.

RISE Becomes First in Sweden to Certify Universal Design Compliance

Swedish organizations can now obtain certification for accessibility efforts, as RISE has become the first entity accredited by SWEDAC to certify compliance with the universal design standard SS-EN 17161.

Sweden Developing First Business Preparedness Standard as Part of Crisis Resilience Efforts

Sweden is leveraging standardization to enhance national resilience in the face of extreme crises and war.

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.