Inclusiveness and Diversity are core values of the CEN and CENELEC system and are essential to developing standards that equally benefit everyone. On International Women’s Day, CEN and CENELEC are happy to join the celebrations and highlight our efforts to achieve full gender equality and support women everywhere.
CEN and CENELEC are committed to ensuring a fully inclusive standardization environment: for instance, among other activities, we are signatories of UNECE’s Declaration on Gender Responsive Standards and have launched our own CEN and CENELEC Gender Action Plan, which is already in its second three-year cycle.
Furthermore, standards play an important role in supporting SDG 5 – Gender Equality. One way they contribute to gender equality is by ensuring that products and services are designed with safety and inclusivity in mind. Below are some examples of standards that support women's well-being across different sectors.
Take, for example, EN ISO 7439:2023 on ‘Copper-bearing contraceptive intrauterine devices - Requirements and tests’. This document sets out the requirements and tests for single-use, copper-bearing contraceptive intrauterine devices (IUDs) and their insertion instruments. Copper IUDs are used to prevent pregnancy by the continuous release of copper ions. The standard ensures that copper IUDs meet strict safety guidelines and testing requirements, providing consistent contraceptive efficacy.
The EN ISO 10993 series on ‘Biological and clinical evaluation of medical devices’ assesses the biocompatibility of medical devices to ensure they do not produce adverse biological responses. It focuses on devices that come into direct and prolonged contact with the human body, which makes it relevant for menstrual cups, for example. The standards ensure products do not cause irritation, cytotoxicity, or other harmful effects.
While there are no standards specifically for menstrual products yet, a Technical Committee (ISO/TC 338) was set up on the international level. One of CEN and CENELEC’s Members, the Swedish Institute for Standards (SIS), holds the Secretariat for this important work. The TC is currently working on ISO/AWI 25130 which sets out general and safety requirements for menstrual products, covering both internally and externally used products intended for single and multiple use.
A significant milestone was reached at the end of 2023 with the publication of a new Workshop Agreement, CWA 18062:2023 ‘Determination of trace chemicals extracted from absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) using simulated urine/menstrual fluid’. This CWA specifies a method to identify and quantify trace chemicals potentially present in single-use absorbent hygiene products (AHPs), which also include single-use menstrual products. Its adoption promises to enhance transparency and confidence in the safety of AHPs, ultimately benefiting both industry and society.
FprEN ISO 14607 ‘Non-active surgical implants - Mammary implants - Specific requirements’ establishes the safety and performance requirements for mammary implants. It includes protocols to validate the implants’ safety and effectiveness while ensuring sterilization to prevent infections. Given that breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, high standards for breast implants are essential for patient safety and quality of care.
Last but certainly not least, prEN ISO 53800 ‘Guidelines for the promotion and implementation of gender equality and women’s empowerment’ is currently under approval. This standard gives guidance on how to promote and implement gender equality and women’s empowerment, providing guidelines for organizations. It focuses on the inequality resulting from the gender-specific roles assigned to women, girls, men and boys, offering an alternative where everyone is included.
In 2024, CEN and CENELEC published a brochure on How to Be Gender-Responsive in Standardization. Besides information on what gender-responsive standards are and why they are important, the guide – aimed at standards developers – also provides practical tips for action on how to be more inclusive and shares a list of useful resources on the topic.
Adriana Martins, the coordinator of CEN and CENELEC’s coordination group on Gender Diversity & Inclusivity, reflected on International Women’s Day: 'Standards shape the world around us—so they must work for everyone. At CEN and CENELEC, we know that gender-responsive standards are not just about fairness; they are about safety, innovation, and inclusivity. Ensuring that products and services reflect diverse needs is key to building a better future. On this International Women's Day 2025, let’s keep pushing for standards that leave no one behind!'
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, CEN and CENELEC reaffirm our commitment to advancing gender equality through standardization. By continuing to develop inclusive standards, we can build a safer, more equitable future for all.
