Two new CEN Technical Specifications now help to detect nano-objects in inorganic additives in food matrices and to assess aggregation and agglomeration in powders, aerosols, and suspensions. The documents have been developed under European Commission Mandate M/461.
Whether a ring is plain gold or diamond‑set, its value depends on more than design alone: it must fit. EN ISO 8653:2026 provides an international and European reference for ring sizing, helping jewellers and consumers achieve accuracy, comfort, and confidence.
CEN-CLC/JTC 25 ‘Data management, Dataspaces, Cloud and Edge’ recently published their first deliverable: EN 18235-1:2026 ‘Trusted data transactions – Part 1: Terminology, concepts and mechanisms’. This first standard lays the foundation for the future work of the JTC by establishing the terminology.
Olive oil is known for its versatility: it is excellent for cooking, moisturising, and it can even help to soothe a sore throat. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) – the least processed of olive oils – is the gold standard and the most beneficial for our health. But not many people realize the crucial role that standardization plays in ensuring the consistency and safety of EVOO.
The publication of EN 4709-001:2026, developed by CEN/TC 471 ‘Unmanned Aircraft Systems’, marks a significant step forward in structuring the European framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). At a time when drone applications are rapidly expanding across sectors—from logistics and infrastructure monitoring to security and environmental services—this standard provides a robust and harmonized foundation for product safety and regulatory compliance.
EN 15978:2026 provides a harmonized method to assess the environmental performance of buildings using Life Cycle Assessment and other quantified environmental data. It applies to new and existing buildings as well as refurbishment projects and defines how results should be calculated, reported, and communicated.
It is a rare occurrence in European standardization to see a document jointly developed and endorsed under the three logos of CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI, the three official European Standardization Organizations. The publication of the Technical Report CEN/CLC/ETSI/TR 101551:2026 therefore represents a significant milestone, reflecting the cross-sectoral importance of accessibility in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its growing relevance within the European policy framework.
After nearly thirty years of improving postal services in Europe, CEN/TC 331 ‘Postal services’ is joining CEN/TC 320 ‘Transport - Logistics and services’, which is thus acquiring a reviewed scope and title as ‘Transport, Logistics and Postal Services’. This transition marks a new chapter for standardization in transport, logistics, and postal services.
Four new standards supporting the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) 2011/305 have recently been published, strengthening the regulatory framework for residential fuel-burning appliances. Developed by CEN technical committees, the standards were cited in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on 9 February 2026, meaning they can now be used to demonstrate compliance with the CPR.
The recently published EN IEC 60601-2-57:2026 specifies essential safety and performance requirements for non-laser light source equipment used in medical and aesthetic applications. This European standard, which fully adopts the international text IEC 60601-2-57:2023, is set to formally enter into force at the beginning of 2026.