NEWS

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.

Every four years, when the Winter Olympics comes around, people all over the world gather to marvel at the incredible skill, determination, and bravery the athletes showcase, set against a breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered peaks. This recurring rite has been in full force these weeks with the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. While it is undoubtedly the sportspeople in the spotlight, did you know that a myriad of standards are working in the background to ensure people are protected and the competitions run smoothly?

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.

Every day, millions of people rely on Europe’s rail network. For many, travelling by train is simple and routine. But for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility (PRM), even minor obstacles – unclear signs, narrow doors, steep steps, or slippery surfaces – can make a journey difficult or even unsafe.

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.

Five harmonized European standards for thermal energy meters have been officially cited in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), following the publication of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1939. This milestone marks a significant step forward in supporting the EU’s internal market and regulatory framework for measuring instruments under the Measurement Instruments Directive (MID – Directive 2014/32/EU).

CEN-CENELEC/JTC 22 ‘Quantum Technologies’ have published their first ever deliverable in the form of a Technical Report (TR). The document covers the universal gate-based quantum-computing model, also known as a digital or circuit quantum-computing model, on multiple physical systems. TR 18202:2025 slices down the overall complexity of quantum computing into two main groups of layers, summarizing theoretical and practical approaches with state-of-the-art definition.

Noise pollution is one of the major challenges of public transport systems. The impact noise and vibration, caused by the interaction between heavy vehicles and infrastructure, has on human health is a major concern in railway. Manufacturers, operators and infrastructure managers work together to develop new methods not only to mitigate the emissions but also to better measure it. Without precise measurement methods, no robust solution is possible.