NEWS
A significant milestone has been reached in European AI standardization. The first standard in support of the implementation of the AI Act, EN 18286: 2026 ‘Artificial intelligence – Quality management system for EU AI Act regulatory purposes’, has been published. This standard is a fundamental step towards regulatory compliance.
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.
At their General Assemblies in Cyprus, the 43 Members of CEN and CENELEC signed the CEN and CENELEC Cyprus Commitment, reaffirming their shared ambition to guide the future evolution of the European Standardization System.
Every year, the World Bank publishes a World Development Report (WDR) on a specific topic. The 2025 WDR focuses on standards, offering a comprehensive assessment of today’s global landscape and ways they can be used to accelerate economic development.
CEN and CENELEC warmly welcome the European Commission’s publication of the Annual Union Work Programme 2026 for European Standardization (AUWP 2026), which sets out five key priorities and 43 actions in support of EU policies for competitiveness. This document identifies the strategic direction for European standardization and aligns with the objectives of the Competitiveness Compass.
A new version of EN ISO 14001:2026 ‘Environmental management systems - Requirements with guidance for use’ is now available. EN ISO 14001 is the internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMS). It was drafted by ISO/TC 207/SC 1 ‘Environmental management systems’, in close cooperation with CEN.
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.
CEN and CENELEC responded to the Call for Evidence on the Revision of Regulation 1025/2012, outlining a clear vision to strengthen the European Standardization System (ESS) and ensure its continued relevance and resilience.
On 7 July, CEN and CENELEC officially accepted the European Commission’s Standardization Request on European Trusted Data Framework, under Mandate M/614. This milestone supports the implementation of the EU Data Act which will become applicable on 12 September 2025.
Following the launch and circulation of the first European Standardization Panel Survey, the European Commission has now published their Final Report detailing the survey’s responses and recommendations.