FSC Publishes New Forest Management Standard for Liberia

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has published a new Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Liberia, setting national requirements for FSC-certified forest management from December 15, 2026. 

Kun Song Completes SMETA and Anti-Terror Audit Preparation

Kun Song Agricultural Products has completed a consulting program covering the Sedex Members’ Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) and an anti-terrorism supply chain security audit.

35th IAAC General Assembly Opens in Lima With Focus on Digital Quality

The 35th General Assembly of the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) has opened in Lima, bringing together representatives from more than 23 countries to discuss digital transformation, the circular economy and changing demands on quality infrastructure across the Americas.

Croatia Gives Certification Bodies Until April 2029 to Transition to ISO 14001:2026

The Croatian Accreditation Agency (HAA) has set April 30, 2029, as the end of a three-year transition period for accredited certification bodies moving to HRN EN ISO 14001:2026.

Montenegro’s Bureau of Metrology Marks 20 Years

Montenegro’s Bureau of Metrology marked 20 years of work, highlighting the development of the country’s national measurement system and priorities for its next stage of growth.

Interim FSC Forest Stewardship Standard Published for North Macedonia

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has published its first Interim Forest Stewardship Standard for North Macedonia, creating a national framework for FSC forest management certification.

EU CBAM Verification System Moves Into Operation as Verifier Registration Begins

The European Commission (EC) has published new guidance on Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) verification and accreditation as the system moves into operation.

Patient Companion Standard Sets Limits on Non-Medical Help During Hospital Visits in China

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has approved the country’s first national standard specifically for paid patient companion services, 

Management Takes Dominant Role in Vietnam’s 2026 National Quality Award Scoring

Management will account for 750 of the available 1,000 points under Vietnam’s 2026 National Quality Award assessment, making it the main factor in how businesses are evaluated. 

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.

NBN Invites Nominations for 2026 Expert Awards

Belgium’s Bureau for Standardisation (NBN) is inviting nominations for the NBN Expert Awards 2026, which recognize experts for exceptional commitment to standards development.

BIS Held Stakeholder Consultation on Draft Greenbelt Standard for Industrial Projects

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) held a national stakeholder consultation on September 9, 2026, on a draft Indian standard for greenbelts, or planted buffer areas around industrial sites. The draft remains open for stakeholder comments until September 22, 2026.

ISO 14001 Fourth Edition Officially Released

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published ISO 14001:2026, marking the release of the fourth edition of the world’s most widely used environmental management systems standard. 

Global ACI Introduced: IAF and ILAC Successor Presents New Identity

A new international accreditation body, Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, has introduced a new identity as Global ACI, including a logo and communication channels after starting operations on January 1, 2026.

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.