NEWS
At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026, held in Shanghai from 17 to 20 July, Dr Sebastian Hallensleben, Chair of CEN-CENELEC JTC 21 on Artificial Intelligence, participated in the International Forum on AI Standardization. His contribution reinforced European engagement with China on AI standardization.
Have you ever switched on a coffee machine, toaster, hot plate, dishwasher, microwave oven, sewing machine, vacuum cleaner, humidifier, skin- or haircare appliance, or simply turned on the heating in your home? Have you used outdoor appliances such as barbecues, portable heaters, grills or similar portable cooking appliances? If the answer is yes to any of these—and we suspect it is—then you have been using appliances that comply with standards developed by CLC/TC 61 ‘Safety of household and similar electrical appliances’ and its international counterpart IEC/TC 61.
CEN and CENELEC welcome the proposal from the European Commission to revise the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) and In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR), supporting efforts to ensure a regulatory framework that is robust, transparent and sustainable, while continuing to safeguard public health and foster innovation.
Methane (CH4) is the second most important Greenhouse Gas (GHG) contributor to climate change. 60% of the global methane emissions result from human activity, 1/3 of which is generated in the energy sector. To address the climate change challenge, the European Union has adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 on the reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector, which sets ambitious requirements applicable to the oil and fossil gas infrastructures in Europe. Considering that the EU imports most of its oil and fossil gas, Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 also addresses methane emissions occurring outside the EU, with respect to crude oil and natural gas (the main component of which is methane) placed on the EU market.
CENELEC has published the 2nd edition of Guide 32 – ‘Guidelines for Safety-Related Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction for Low Voltage Equipment’, providing updated guidance to hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk reduction. The guide helps technical committees address the safety of low voltage equipment and determine the documentation needed to support the risk assessment. It reinforces the principle that safety should be addressed through an iterative risk assessment process supported by technical data, application experience, and relevant standards.
How can Europe enable consumer-side flexibility at scale? This question was at the heart of a workshop organized by the Pentalateral Energy Forum (PENTA), the High-Level Forum on Standardization, and CEN and CENELEC at the Benelux House in Brussels
CENELEC recently established the new technical committee CLC/TC 220 ‘Alcohol interlocks’, with the Secretariat held by DKE, to continue and further develop European standardization work in this important safety area. The technical committee’s scope is to develop European Standards on alcohol interlocks that improve road, transport, workplace and individual safety by preventing people with an alcohol level above a specified limit from operating vehicles, equipment or engaging in unsafe activities. Where necessary, the scope may also be extended to include drug detection.
CEN and CENELEC welcome the European Commission’s EU Tech Sovereignty Package, published on 3 June, and its strong focus on Europe’s capacity to develop, deploy and scale trusted digital technologies and infrastructure.
This year’s Meeting Standards campaign took place between 22 and 30 June, organized by Small Business Standards (SBS). The week culminated in the SBS Awards 2026, the inaugural SBS Awards ceremony that recognizes the experts and standards that strengthen the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in European standardization. The Standard of the Year 2025 was won by EN ISO 27799:2026 ‘Health informatics’, developed by CEN/TC 251.
Every four years, the Football World Cup captures the attention of millions of fans around the globe. In 2026, as the tournament takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico, national teams will once again compete for football’s most prestigious title. As supporters prepare to cheer every goal, it is worth remembering that, behind the excitement, a wide range of standards helps make the tournament possible by supporting player performance, safety and a high-quality experience for spectators.