ISO/CASCO Plenary 2026 Hosting – 14-17 April 2026
From 14 to 17 April 2026, Singapore hosted the 40th ISO/CASCO Plenary and Workshop, bringing together conformity assessment experts, national standards bodies, accreditation bodies, regulators, industry representatives and scheme owners from around the world.
Hosted jointly by the Singapore Standards Council (SSC) and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation – Standards Development Organisation (SMF-SDO) at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, the four-day programme provided a valuable platform for delegates to exchange knowledge, strengthen international cooperation and advance discussions on the future of conformity assessment.
As technologies evolve rapidly and sustainability considerations become increasingly important, conformity assessment plays a critical role in building trust, facilitating international trade and supporting confidence in products, services and systems. The event reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation in developing robust conformity assessment frameworks that support innovation while safeguarding quality, safety and reliability.
Advancing the Future of Conformity Assessment
The programme commenced on 14 April with a workshop on "Effective and Sustainable CASCO National Mirror Committees (NMCs): Experiences and Best Practices", co-organised with the ISO Capacity Building Unit (CBU).
The workshop explored how National Mirror Committees can strengthen stakeholder engagement, enhance national participation in conformity assessment standardisation and ensure the long-term sustainability of expertise and knowledge within the standards ecosystem.
Delegates exchanged experiences and practical insights on effective committee management, stakeholder outreach and strategies for sustaining participation in conformity assessment standardisation, including the engagement of young professionals.
Presentations and recordings from this session can be found on ISO Connect (which is available to people with ISO Global Directory accounts).
40th ISO/CASCO Plenary Meeting
The highlight of the week was the 40th ISO/CASCO Plenary Meeting, held from 15 to 16 April 2026.
Representatives from ISO member bodies and liaison organisations gathered to discuss strategic priorities, ongoing work programmes and emerging issues impacting the global conformity assessment community. The discussions provided strategic direction for CASCO's ongoing work programme and highlighted areas requiring further international collaboration and standardisation efforts.
Discussions highlighted the growing importance of conformity assessment in addressing new challenges and opportunities arising from digitalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainability reporting and evolving global trade requirements. Delegates also exchanged views on how conformity assessment frameworks can continue to support confidence, transparency and interoperability across industries and markets.
Singapore's hosting of the plenary reflects its longstanding commitment to standards and conformity assessment as key enablers of economic development and international trade.
Scheme Day: The CASCO Toolbox in Action
A recording of the event is now available online.
Following the plenary sessions, delegates and members of the public participated in Scheme Day on 17 April, themed "The CASCO Toolbox in Action: Scheme Owners' Perspective".
The event focused on the practical application of the CASCO Toolbox in conformity assessment schemes. Speakers shared experiences in implementing conformity assessment programmes, highlighting practical examples, lessons learnt and good practices across different sectors and jurisdictions.
Representing Enterprise Singapore, Mr Tan Yee Teck shared Singapore’s perspectives on conformity assessment and the value of internationally recognised frameworks in supporting trust, market confidence and international acceptance.
A Shared Commitment to Trust and Quality
Beyond the formal meetings, the event provided valuable opportunities for delegates to build relationships and strengthen international cooperation.
A welcome dinner hosted and brought together delegates from around the world in a setting that reflects Singapore's longstanding role as a global trading hub and meeting point for ideas, innovation and collaboration.
The gathering underscored the spirit of partnership that underpins ISO/CASCO's work — bringing together diverse perspectives to develop internationally recognised conformity assessment standards that promote trust, quality and confidence across global markets.
Strengthening Singapore's Role in the International Standards Community
Singapore has recognised standards and conformity assessment as strategic enablers of enterprise growth, innovation and international competitiveness.
Through active participation in international standards development, a strong Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) ecosystem, and continued adoption of internationally recognised conformity assessment practices, Singapore remains committed to contributing as a trusted partner within the global standards community.
The successful hosting of the 40th ISO/CASCO Plenary and Workshop further strengthen Singapore's engagement with international stakeholders and reinforces our collective efforts to build the architecture of trust and quality that supports global trade and sustainable growth.
