April PKN News Issue Examines Governing Autonomous AI Systems

The Polish Committee for Standardization (PKN) centers its April 2026 issue of its PKN News publication on how standards are adapting to the rapid shift toward artificial intelligence (AI) systems that can act and decide independently.

Peru Trains 3,500 Producers to Meet Quality Standards

The National Quality Institute (INACAL) and Technological Institute of Production (ITP) have completed a nationwide training program that reached more than 3,500 producers, helping them learn how to apply standards, improve product quality, and access new markets.

Vietnam Introduces Structured Planning and Review Rules for National Standards

The Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam (MST) has issued Circular No. 13/2026/TT-BKHCN, introducing detailed rules for planning, public consultation, and periodic review of national standards in the country.

RvA Updates Prisma Reporting Tool for Assessment Reporting

The Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA) has launched an updated version of its Prisma Reporting Tool, introducing changes to how assessment findings, deviations, and reports are structured and presented.

European Standard Proposal Aims to Clarify Product Lifespan Claims

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is considering a new standard that would help organizations worldwide better justify and communicate how long their products are expected to last.

EN 18140 Sets Common Terms for Nature-Based Solutions

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has published EN 18140, a European standard that defines common terms and classifications for nature-based solutions (NbS),

All Phases Of Cultural Heritage Conservation Covered With New EN 16853

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has published EN 16853:2026,

EN 15978 Harmonizes Building Environmental Performance Assessment

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has published EN 15978:2026,

ANAB Launches QAEP to Evaluate Credibility and Effectiveness of Quality Assurance Schemes

The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) has launched the Quality Assurance Evaluation Program (QAEP),

Inacal Raises Alert Over ‘Rapid ISO Certification’ Claims

The Instituto Nacional de Calidad (INACAL) warned companies and public institutions about offers of “rapid ISO certifications” and urged them to check whether certification bodies are properly accredited before using their services.

China Issues New Guide For Public Institution Carbon Accounting

A new industry standard for carbon accounting in public institutions took effect on April 1, marking a step toward more consistent measurement and management of emissions across China’s public sector.

Vietnam Seeks Input On Plan To Build Standard Workforce Through 2030

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) has opened consultation on a draft national plan to train and develop the workforce in standardization, metrology, and quality through 2030 and beyond.

International Standards Bodies Issue Seoul Statement on Trustworthy AI

International standards organizations have jointly issued the Seoul Statement on Artificial Intelligence, setting out a shared commitment to develop global standards that support safe, inclusive, and trustworthy AI.

ISO 14001:2026 Final Draft Sets New Rules for Climate, Biodiversity and Documentation

The revision of ISO 14001 has recently entered its Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) stage, and the updated standard is scheduled for publication in April 2026.

ISO 17020 Reaches Final Global Vote toward 2026 Release

The revision of ISO/IEC 17020, the international standard for inspection bodies, has reached the Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) stage and is now in its final global voting phase.

VDA Releases Draft Product Safety And Conformity Guidance for the Automotive Supply Chain

The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has released the first edition of Product Compliance Volume 2 as a draft edition, focused on safety and conformity requirements across the automotive supply chain, and opened it for industry feedback until February 21, 2026.

ISO Launches Interactive Dashboard with Over 1,100 Environmental Standards

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has launched a new interactive dashboard that brings together more than 1,100 International Standards linked to environmental data.

EcoVadis Recognizes FSSC 24000 Social Certification Scheme

EcoVadis has recognized the FSSC 24000 Social Management System Scheme as a valid certificate under the Labor and Human Rights topic, allowing certified companies to use it directly in EcoVadis sustainability assessments.

IEEE Makes Its AI Standards Available Through New Global Exchange

The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) has added its portfolio of artificial intelligence standards to the new International AI Standards Exchange, a central platform created to support responsible AI development worldwide.

IVECO Group Updates Customer Requirements for IATF 16949 Suppliers

IVECO Group has updated its Customer Specific Requirements (CSRs) for organizations certified to IATF 16949, setting new expectations for how suppliers manage quality, testing, sustainability, and supply disruptions.

Public Consultation Opens on Revised FSC Chain of Custody Standards

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has opened a public consultation on the revision of its Chain of Custody standards, with comments accepted until January 25, 2026.

ISO/DIS 9001 Approved with Overwhelming Global Support, Reports SIS

The Swedish Institute for Standards (SIS) reports that ISO member countries have approved the Draft International Standard ISO 9001:2026 with 97 percent voting in favor,

First Global Standard To Measure Pharmaceutical Impact: PAS 2090 Launched

The UK’s national standards body BSI has published the first global standard for measuring the environmental impact of medicines.

GLOBALG.A.P. Recognizes Eight Schemes in 2025 Benchmarking Round

Eight agriculture and floriculture schemes have secured recognized status as GLOBALG.A.P. benchmarked schemes for 2025, giving producers accepted ways to meet market requirements without duplicate audits.