NEWS
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
Digital product information that is reliable and interoperable is becoming increasingly important for global supply and value chains. The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is emerging as a key enabler of this development, supporting the digital exchange of product-related information across markets and sectors and opening the door to digital services beyond. To ensure that DPPs can function seamlessly on a global scale, international standards are essential.
As climate change continues to affect the safety, reliability and performance of infrastructure, products, and services across Europe, standardization has an increasingly important role to play in building climate resilience. Rising temperatures, flooding, droughts, wildfires, storms and other climate-related hazards challenge many of the assumptions on which standards are based.
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.
On 29 June, Small Business Standards (SBS) gathered nearly 100 guests at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in Brussels for its Stakeholder Reception and inaugural Awards Ceremony, the highlight of the 4th edition of MeetingStandards.
The International Federation of Standards Users (IFAN) continues to strengthen its engagement with the global standards community through new partnerships and outreach initiatives. Recent developments include a cooperation agreement with IQNET and the continued growth of the IFAN podcast, which provides a platform for standards users and experts from around the world to share their experiences and insights.
The Institute for Standardization of Serbia (ISS) had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Magnus Hakvåg, Chief Executive Officer of House of Knowledge, who visited ISS for the first time. During his full-day stay, he presented an innovative approach to education through the application of so-called “serious games”—educational games designed to facilitate knowledge acquisition and skills development.