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ISO/TC 260 on Human Resource Management is currently looking at preparing an international standard on ‘Guidance for risk management and the ethical use and adoption of technology’. The aim is to propose measures to mitigate the human capital risks and provide guidance for the use and adoption of technology for HR processes / practices and job roles. The ETUC is opposing the proposed work as the development of such a standard raises a number of concerns.

Our minds are constantly processing information, analysing situations, and making decisions. But what happens when cognitive demands at work become overwhelming? The mental effort required to perform tasks – known as mental workload – can significantly impact both our well-being and performance.

EN ISO 12100, widely regarded as the cornerstone standard for machinery safety, underpins all machinery standards linked to the Machinery Directive and the upcoming Machinery Regulation. This so-called ‘A-type standard’ has been under revision for several years now to accommodate the new health and safety requirements introduced by the future Machinery Regulation. Given its central role, its revision is expected to have far-reaching implications for worker protection across Europe. The ETUC has therefore been actively participating in this work.

A new European standard, EN 81-76:2025, introduces the possibility of using specially designed lifts to evacuate people who cannot use stairs during emergencies. Traditionally, evacuation has relied on assistance from others or rescue services, limiting independence for many people with disabilities.

What is a standard

Examples of Why businesses need standards Support to Business to meet legal requirements, and thus supporting Commerce by removing technical barriers There is a variety of Directives (see website of the European Commission) which contain essential requirements for products to be allowed on the EU-market but where the technical specification is described in related harmonized standards

On 21 October 2022, CEN and CENELEC published new standard on cybersecurity: EN 17640 ‘Fixed-time cybersecurity evaluation methodology for ICT products’ (FiT CEM). The new standard describes how the cybersecurity of ICT products can be examined in a pre-defined time, which means within a time frame set out at the beginning of the examination. This evaluation is usually part of certification procedures for ICT products.

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.

As part of the green transition, and due to a growing awareness on environmental aspects among businesses and customers, an increasing number of organizations are engaged in monitoring and reducing their environmental impact. This commitment also targets some traditional sectors, which are evolving to better address their customers’ new green ambitions.

The protection of critical infrastructure is essential in complex societies as the ones we are all living in. To optimise the protection through prevention, CEN recently developed new standard EN 17483-1 ‘Private security services - Protection of critical infrastructure - Part 1: General requirements’.