Business sectors

CEN/TC 331 'Postal Services' is responsible for the standardization of various aspects concerning postal services, including the quality of service and the interoperability of postal networks. 

In 2026, CEN/TC 331 'Postal Services' will continue working on several important documents to modernize postal services and address environmental aspects. Among others, CEN/TC 331 will continue working on a brand-new standard on ‘Methods for proof of delivery of parcels to replace the physical signature’. Driven by industry and supported by postal operators, logistics providers, e-commerce platforms, consumer groups, and authorities, this standard will enable the use of secure electronic methods to replace handwritten signatures. It aims to improve efficiency, reduce costs, support contactless delivery, and maintain trust in parcel services. The work supports EU policies on the Single Market, digitalization and sustainability, and has an international dimension through cooperation with ISO and IEC.

Secondly, CEN/TC 331 will continue working on the important revision of prEN 17837 ‘Parcel delivery environmental footprint – Methodology for calculation and declaration of GHG emissions and air pollutants of parcel logistics delivery services’ This revision will make the methodology clearer and more user-friendly. It will also increase transparency and support more sustainable parcel delivery practices across Europe.

In parallel, CEN/TC 331 will finalize prCEN TS 18055-2 ‘Postal services – Harmonized track and trace events – Return flow’, also in response to Standardization Request M/590 in support of Directive 97/67/EC on Postal services and the improvement of quality of service. This Technical Specification, developed with the involvement of postal operators, logistics companies, merchants, IT providers, and consumer representatives, will define a minimum set of return events for cross-border e-commerce. It will strengthen transparency, improve logistics efficiency, reduce customer service requests, and support a more reliable parcel delivery network across the EU and beyond.

In 2026, CEN/TC 331 'Postal Services' will also develop a CEN Technical Report (CEN/TR) on ‘Postal services – Use of technology for the tracking of parcels’ under Standardization Request M/590. This document will provide an overview of innovative tracking technologies that can complement or replace traditional barcodes. It will give postal operators, logistics providers, and e-commerce stakeholders a clearer understanding of the different technological options available and their potential applications. By supporting the digital transition of delivery services, this CEN/TR will contribute to more efficient and transparent operations, better customer experience, and improved cross-border interoperability within the Single Market.

Research and development services and related consultancy services

In 2026, CEN/TC 389 ‘Innovation Management’ will continue working on their brand-new standard prEN 18215 ‘Innovation management professionals – Competence requirements’ which will define the requirements related to the professional activity of individuals active in the innovation management field at different levels of complexity for all organizations, regardless of type, sector, maturity-level or size.
The competence requirements contained in this document will be specified based on the identified tasks and activities in terms of knowledge, skills, autonomy, and responsibility. The different professional profiles align with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) to facilitate the harmonization of the evaluation and validation of learning outcomes. It will be possible to use this document in relation to conformity assessment processes.

Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing, and security

In 2026, CEN/TC 348 ‘Facility Management’ will continue working on the following two parts of the EN 15221 series on Facility Management:

• prEN 15221-6 rev ‘Facility Management – Part 6: Area and Space Measurement in Facility Management’: this revision will give a framework to deal with area and space measurement for the entire life cycle information requirements.
• Future 15221-10 ‘Approach towards FM digital transformation’: this brand-new standard aims to ensure that Facility Management organizations can adopt digital practices in a consistent and effective manner that improves operational efficiency, enhances decision-making, and strengthens resilience.

Moreover, CEN/TC 348, together with ISO, plans to finalize the following two EN ISO standards:

• prEN ISO 41002 ‘Facility management – Development of the facility management organization (ISO/DIS 41002:2025)’. This brand-new standard will provide guidance and recommendations on the development of the Facility Management Organization.
  It will cover governance, leadership, value drivers, risk, stakeholder engagement, social responsibility, as well as factors influencing their successful operation, including delivery of facility services. It is a supporting standard for the management system standard EN ISO 41001 ‘Facility management – Management systems – Requirements with guidance for use’.
• EN ISO 41012:2026 ‘Facility management – Guidance on strategic sourcing and the development of agreements’. This revision provides guidance on sourcing and on the development of agreements in facility management. The document will describe the steps in the sourcing process and give strategic recommendations when considering service provision options and specifying requirements for the agreement of facility services.

Financial and insurance services

A new committee, CEN/TC 476 ‘Administration, Finance, and Strategic Planning within Organizations’ will focus on standardizing the qualification of professions and the definition of process requirements. Among others, the technical committee plans to develop the following three standards:

• ‘Financial Management of Organizations – Part 2: Requirements of the Financial Management Process’, which will establish a standardized framework for Chief Finance Officer processes enhancing governance, financial reporting, and strategic planning across organizations;
• ‘Credit Management of Organizations – Part 2: Requirements of the Credit Management Process’, which will provide a standardized framework for credit management processes, helping organizations manage trade credit risks more effectively across domestic and international markets;
• ‘Treasury Management within Organizations – Part 2: Phases and criteria for the prevention and management of risks of Treasury Management Processes’, which will define a standardized process for treasury management, offering a structured approach to financial planning, liquidity control, and risk mitigation to enhance value creation and operational efficiency.

These documents will be useful mostly for large enterprises, SMEs, and government bodies as they will bring clarity, efficiency, and transparency in financial management practices.