April delivered a remarkable array of ISO developments, reaffirming the standards community’s focus on trusted AI, resilient infrastructure, sustainable systems, and better human and organizational outcomes. From quality in internships and energy audits to advancing AI governance and environmental transparency, this month reflects a dynamic intersection of trust, digitalization, and sustainability.
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, organizations face growing pressure to ensure their AI systems are responsible, ethical, and safe. Recognizing this need, ISO and IEC have released a groundbreaking new standard: ISO/IEC 42005:2025 – Information technology— Artificial intelligence— AI system impact assessment.
In today’s interconnected and sustainability-focused economy, traceability and transparency across supply chains are no longer optional — they are essential. Two key ISO standards currently under development aim to strengthen these capabilities by establishing internationally recognized frameworks for managing chain of custody information: ISO/DIS 13662, Mass Balance, and ISO/DIS 13659, Book and Claim.
In April 2025, a significant update reached the Draft International Standard (DIS) stage for ISO 9000 Quality management — Fundamentals and vocabulary — the global reference for quality management fundamentals and vocabulary. While ISO 9001 defines the requirements for quality management systems (QMS), ISO 9000 frames the principles and language that shape how quality is understood and implemented, starting from the very top of the organization. Although the final publication is still pending, the DIS version already signals significant strategic shifts that executives should prepare for.
As we proceed into 2025, March brings a wave of influential ISO developments, spanning artificial intelligence, sustainability, facility management, innovation ecosystems, and circular economy value networks. This month’s updates emphasize trust, resilience, transparency, and integrated lifecycle management—cornerstones for long-term organizational success in a rapidly evolving world.
As the year gains momentum, the ISO standards landscape continues to deliver critical updates supporting organizations in areas such as anti-corruption, cybersecurity, systems engineering, and sustainable collaboration. This month’s developments emphasize trust, resilience, and integrated lifecycle management—key enablers for business continuity and long-term value creation.
Choosing inspection bodies that follow ISO/IEC DIS 17020 for top management ensures that your organization benefits from reliable, consistent, and impartial inspections. This standard guarantees that the inspection body you engage operates with integrity and technical competence, safeguarding your operations.
As leaders, we are responsible for ensuring our digital spaces are accessible to everyone. The upcoming revision of the standard ISO/IEC DIS 40500, built on the latest W3C WCAG 2.2 guidelines, helps us do just that—enhancing access for users with disabilities, improving mobile usability, and creating more inclusive experiences. Embracing this standard isn’t just about meeting requirements; it’s about demonstrating our commitment to diversity, equity, and innovation in the digital age.
As we step into the new year, the world of ISO standards continues to evolve, bringing fresh guidance to support organizations in risk management, IT governance, human resources, security, and sustainability. This month, we highlight the latest developments, including newly published standards, draft standards in progress, and emerging trends shaping the landscape for businesses worldwide.
Staying ahead in the ever-evolving global business landscape requires proactive engagement with emerging standards. Being involved early in standardization projects offers strategic insights and positions your organization to influence best practices, ensuring alignment with industry needs. Below is an overview of new proposals (NPs) and activated work items (AWIs) from ISO’s January list, showcasing key areas such as circular economy, innovation management, IT management, and more.