New development
UKAS withdraws first decisions for ISO 14001:2026 on October 30
United Kingdom · accreditation and environmental management · updated transitional rule
In an update on 7 October, UKAS moved the first group of decisions to transition to ISO 14001:2026 from 30 November to 30 October 2026. The change affects UKAS-accredited environmental management system certification bodies; it does not automatically change the timelines of other accreditation bodies. To be included in the first group, sufficient evidence of implementation must be submitted in a timely manner and the assessment and independent decision must be completed. The evidence requirements and deadlines remain unchanged. Bodies should review staff readiness, gap analysis and client timelines. Accredited certificates to the new edition will only be issued following a positive decision by UKAS.
UKAS introduces two-stage transition schedule to ISO 9001:2026
United Kingdom · accreditation and quality management · updated transitional rule
UKAS has updated its technical bulletin for ISO 9001:2026 on 7 October, introducing two sets of transition decisions. Assessment starts on 1 November 2026; the first set of decisions is due by 31 January 2027, with subsequent ones planned according to the readiness of the bodies from 1 February. The procedure requires self-declaration, documented analysis of differences and objective evidence of implementation, including competence of personnel. These are conditions for UKAS-accredited certification bodies, not a new universal deadline for all organisations. They must coordinate the submission of evidence and client transitions. Until a positive accreditation decision has been made, an ISO 9001:2026 certificate cannot be presented as accredited.
CMS proposes rules for remote access in laboratory testing
USA · medical laboratories · project and consultation
On October 8, the US CMS published draft CMS-3478-P, which proposes explicit rules for virtual access to laboratory data and images under the CLIA certification of the primary laboratory. The proposed regime provides for a secure connection to its systems and the retention of responsibility for quality and oversight. Cytology is excluded from this option and should not be mixed with other laboratory specialties. Comments are being accepted until December 7, 2026. This is a draft, not a new certification exemption that has already entered into force. Laboratories and digital solution providers for the US market should review access, documentation, and inspection conditions before planning remote services.
USTR seeks data on CBAM impact on US exports
US / EU · carbon emissions and supply chains · consulting
The US Trade Representative (USTR) is launching a consultation on the impact of the EU CBAM on US producers and exporters on 8 October. The procedure USTR-2026-0661 seeks evidence on costs, administrative burdens and market access, including for small businesses. The deadline is 9 November EST. The consultation does not amend EU law and does not itself introduce retaliatory trade measures. For European importers, suppliers and verifiers, this is an early warning of possible developments in transatlantic trading conditions. The practical preparation is to distinguish proven data and verification costs from assumptions about future measures and to check the applicability to specific supplies.
US begins preparations to update automotive lighting regulations
USA · automotive testing · international strategic signal
NHTSA announced on October 8 its intention to establish a Negotiating Advisory Committee for a future update of FMVSS No. 108 for automotive lights. The proposed scope includes glare, photometric performance, and test procedures, as well as opportunities for international convergence. Comments on the establishment and scope of the committee and applications for participation are being accepted until November 9, 2026. This is a preparatory stage, not a final technical regulation and not a change to existing approvals. Vehicle and component manufacturers and test laboratories for the U.S. market should evaluate which methods and evidence may be affected and whether they have technical data to provide an opinion.
Upcoming deadlines
From October 22nd, ISCC CORSIA audits must use APS
International · sustainable aviation fuels and certification · mandatory transition under the scheme · T–14
On 22 October 2026, the use of the previous offline ISCC CORSIA audit procedures will end; from that date, all audits under the scheme must use the Audit Procedure System (APS). The requirement was announced by ISCC on 22 September and is being reminded here two weeks in advance, not as a new document. It affects auditors, certification bodies and certified operators in the sustainable aviation fuel supply chains. Authorities should check access to the system, applicable procedures and auditor training before scheduled audits. The announced upcoming APS 6.1 update is not in itself evidence that the version is already available.
UK PPE standards notice expected on October 15
United Kingdom - England, Scotland and Wales · personal protective equipment · planned notice · T–7
The UK OPSS continues to indicate 15 October 2026 as the planned date for publication of the notice on proposal 0142/26 for standards for personal protective equipment. The proposal of 16 September covers references to eye and face protection, protective gloves and rainwear. This is a reminder seven days before the planned stage, not confirmation of the final setting of the standards. Manufacturers, exporters and assessment bodies for the UK market should match the technical files with the applicable references and transitions. Before invoking a new presumption of conformity they should check the final notice as the proposal may be amended or withdrawn.
UK prepares new reference for optical protection in explosive atmospheres
Great Britain - England, Scotland and Wales · equipment for explosive atmospheres · planned notice · T–14
Proposal 0144/26 of the UK authorities envisages the inclusion of EN IEC 60079-28:2026 for the protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation in potentially explosive atmospheres. The official timetable foresees the publication of the notice on 22 October 2026. The draft maintains the presumption of conformity under EN 60079-28:2015 until 4 March 2028; this does not imply a mandatory replacement of all evidence as early as October. Manufacturers, exporters, testing laboratories and assessment bodies are affected by this UK regime. They should check the revisions in the technical files and planned tests. The final status should be confirmed after publication; the proposal does not automatically amend the EU regime.
Chemical safety standards for toys set for British regulation
United Kingdom - England, Scotland and Wales · toys and laboratory testing · planned notice · T–14
The UK notification on proposal 0143/26 for toy safety standards is scheduled for 22 October 2026. The draft of 23 September includes EN 71-4:2020+A1:2025 for chemical experiment kits and EN 71-15:2025 and EN 71-16:2025 for certain chemical substances in toy materials. It is proposed that the old reference to EN 71-4:2020 will continue to give presumption of conformity until 14 March 2028. Manufacturers, importers and laboratories must check the applicable methods and editions in the test reports. This is a conditional upcoming stage under the UK regime, not a change that has already occurred and not a new deadline for all toys on the EU market.
FCC Accepts Technical Comments on RF Exposure Until October 22
USA · radio equipment and testing · consulting · T–14
The FCC is accepting comments under ET Docket No. 13-84, a rationale for the RF exposure rule and related test procedures, until October 22, 2026. DA 26-997 was published in the Federal Register on September 22; today’s notice is a reminder under T–14. This is a stand-alone FCC proceeding and does not establish new limits. Radio equipment manufacturers and laboratories serving the U.S. market may submit technical data, including for the evaluation of portable devices. They should distinguish between current requirements and issues for discussion and assess whether the available protocols and methodologies provide a sufficient basis for a reasoned opinion.
Two weeks left for comments on the THOR-50M configuration
USA · car crash tests · supplemented project · T–14
The comment period for NHTSA’s draft supplement for the THOR-50M test dummy expires on October 22, 2026. The document, published on September 22 under NHTSA-2023-0031, considers an additional configuration of the spine module and an alternative material for the facepiece. They are part of the specification of a test instrument, not a requirement for a specific vehicle model. The topic concerns crash test laboratories, manufacturers and suppliers of measurement equipment, including those working with various international programs. This remains a draft. Affected teams should compare configurations, repeatability and available data, without assuming that mandatory equipment replacement has already been ordered.
Strategic Watch
EA clarifies cooperation on CBAM accreditation in third countries
EEA / third countries · accreditation and verification of emissions · current baseline · information document
The document EA-6/05 INF, edition of 5 October 2026, describes the cooperation between EEA accreditation bodies and local authorities in third countries in the accreditation of CBAM verifiers. We include it as a previously unreported reference framework and not as news published today. The document has an informative status and does not replace European legislation. It distinguishes the outsourcing of assessment activities from the use of local assessors and experts according to the competence and the applicable scope of international recognition. Verifiers and accreditation bodies should check the cooperation model, CBAM training and competence management. The mere participation of a local authority does not automatically imply the right to grant CBAM-recognised accreditation.
Published by MG Global in partnership with ERPI.
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