NEWS
The European space sector is undergoing rapid expansion driven by increasing demand for space-based data and services. To support a competitive and innovative internal market, the European Commission proposed an EU Space Act. The initiative aims to harmonize rules for space operators, improve space object tracking, strengthen cybersecurity, and establish a common method for assessing environmental impacts, ensuring legal certainty and safeguarding the long-term use of space.
As part of a longstanding dialogue on transatlantic cooperation in standardization, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the European Standards Organizations (ESOs) – CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI – met on 10 and 11 November 2025 at ANSI’s headquarters in Washington, DC to exchange on the latest standardization developments in Europe and in the United States. Representatives from the US government and their European counterparts joined the discussions between standardizers.
Following the publication of their Position Paper on the 10th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) in January 2025 (here), CEN and CENELEC have now submitted their feedback to the European Commission’s legislative package for FP10 and the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF).
Standards are a proven instrument to operationalize EU legislation while reducing regulatory burdens and supporting SMEs. By building on the New Legislative Framework (NLF), the CEA can rely on harmonized standards to provide presumption of conformity with legal requirements, while leaving room for innovation. The consultation has identified barriers to a more integrated circular economy, including divergent classifications of waste and secondary raw materials, weak competitiveness of recyclates, insufficient transparency on recyclability and material composition, and resource loss due to inefficient collection, sorting and data gaps. Today, divergent national practices undermine the single market. Standards can directly address these challenges by establishing common definitions, quality criteria and testing methods across Europe.
The October issue of the CEN and CENELEC newsletter 'On the Spot' is out now!
Halloween may be the season of ghosts and ghouls, but when it comes to safety and sustainability, there is nothing spooky about European Standards. From glowing pumpkins to compostable candy wrappers, standards help make sure that our celebrations stay both fun and responsible.
CEN and CENELEC are pleased to announce the successful kick-off of the new Advisory Committee on Research & Innovation (AC R&I), which took place on 29 and 30 October 2025 in Brussels, under the leadership of Fernando Utrilla (UNE).
Last year, the Institute for Standardization of Serbia (ISS) celebrated a significant jubilee: 90 years since the establishment of the standardization body in the region. To honour this event, a monograph was recently published, illuminating the development of standardization in Serbia, from its beginnings to the modern era.
Europe's energy transition is at a critical juncture. High costs and foreign gas reliance are crippling EU competitiveness (Draghi Report 2024). While SMEs are key to faster decarbonization, their voice in standardization is limited.
From podcasts to board games, Standards Norway is finding creative new ways to bring standardization to life. Whether exploring the implications of the EU AI Act, simulating consensus-building around the table, or offering online learning for businesses, these initiatives make standards more relevant, interactive, and inspiring than ever.