NEWS
On 23 April, we celebrate World Book Day—a moment to appreciate the power of books to transport us to new and exciting worlds. Books allow us to experience different perspectives, broaden our horizons, and often offer a way to escape the real world and find respite in imagined lands. Did you know that numerous standards exist to help make your reading experience seamless, no matter what format you choose to immerse yourself in a story?
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.
Since the European Accessibility Act (EAA) became applicable last year, service providers have been responsible for ensuring that public areas where they offer a covered service are accessible. To support the one in four EU adults with a disability, the European Commission has relied on European Standardization as a clear path for organizations providing those services to demonstrate conformity with this key requirement.
Sleep apnoea breathing therapy depends not only on the performance of the therapy device itself, but also on the safety and reliability of the interface that connects the patient to it. EN ISO 17510:2025 addresses this critical link by specifying safety and performance requirements for masks and application accessories used in sleep apnoea therapy.
As Europe accelerates its transition toward cleaner transport, inland waterways are expected to play an essential role. One promising solution is methanol, a fuel that can be produced from renewable sources and that burns more cleanly than traditional fuels. To support its safe uptake, CEN/TC 15 ‘Inland Navigation Vessels’ has developed EN 18071:2025 ‘Inland navigation vessels – Methanol bunkering’, a new European Standard that sets out clear technical and operational requirements for refuelling vessels with methanol.
The holiday season is a time of celebration, generosity, and togetherness. Homes are filled with festive lights, carefully wrapped gifts, and tables laden with seasonal treats. Behind this familiar Christmas magic, however, lies an invisible but essential framework that helps ensure safety, quality, and sustainability: European Standards.