A Look Back at the EUROSHNET 2026 Conference

Occupational Health and Safety Standardization in the Face of Technological Innovation and Climate Change

On May 27 and 28, the INRS participated in the organization and discussions of the 9th EUROSHNET Conference, which brought together experts from across Europe in Helsinki to discuss standardization and certification in occupational health and safety. The event addressed the impacts of climate change and digital transformation on prevention practices and how to adapt standardization, testing, and certification to these new realities. The discussions also provided an opportunity to put Europe’s role into perspective within a changing environmental, technological, and regulatory context.

A forward-looking European gathering

The world of work is currently undergoing rapid changes that are profoundly altering the conditions for worker prevention and protection. On the one hand, the green transition imposes new requirements related to sustainability, the circular economy, and adaptation to the effects of climate change. On the other hand, the digital transformation is opening up new opportunities, but also new risks, particularly with artificial intelligence, connected devices, and autonomous systems. In this context, standardization, testing, and certification emerge as essential tools for ensuring the safety of innovations.

The EUROSHNET conference, held on May 27 and 28, 2026, provided a forum for discussion among representatives of occupational health institutes, manufacturers, social partners, and certification and standardization experts who came together to address these issues. The 104 participants, including 28 speakers, were able to compare their analyses of how to address these emerging challenges. The goal was to better understand how technical and regulatory frameworks can support the changes currently underway. The discussions also highlighted the need for strong European dialogue to maintain a high level of protection.

Participation by the INRS, co-organizer of the event

The program for the 2026 edition consisted of six focused sessions and a roundtable discussion (see box), during which three experts from the INRS presented their work.

During Session 2, Stéphanie Marsteau (INRS) presented the results of a study on the method for characterizing the effectiveness of laboratory fume hoods and respiratory protective equipment during their certification (European standard EN 13274-1 (2001) and ISO standard 16900-1 (2019)). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of replacing sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), which is used in these tests, with krypton gas, from an environmental perspective while maintaining the same level of user protection.

During Session 5, Jean-Christophe Blaise (INRS) gave a presentation on the challenges in the field of machine safety arising from new requirements related to cybersecurity and AI. The research presented aims to encourage machine designers and users to take “cyber” risks into account and to understand how to assess the risks associated with integrating AI into machines.
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During the same session, Clémentine Borgeot (INRS) shared observations and reflections on the impact of new technologies on the standardization of automated material-handling systems, as well as the resulting challenges for worker safety. The work focuses in particular on driverless vehicles (AGVs, AMRs) and automated storage systems (stacker cranes, shuttle systems), where new machines and applications must be integrated into existing or new standards.
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Six sessions focused on current changes and a roundtable discussion on regulatory approaches

Session 1 – Occupational safety in a digital and green world

This opening session explored the effects of digital transformation and the green transition on workplace safety. It examined technologies such as AI, the Internet of Things, and robotics, as well as related regulatory approaches.

Session 2 – Sustainability and climate change

This session described the impact of climate change on occupational safety and health and the new protective measures required. It also covered the REACH regulation and the implications of banned chemicals for industrial practices.

Session 3 – Personal protective equipment

This session presented the effects of the digital and green transitions and climate change on PPE. It addressed new regulations, the integration of AI, inclusivity, and protection against counterfeiting via blockchain.

Session 4 – Digitalization

This session examined digital innovation and the role of artificial intelligence in the workplace, as well as the implications of the European Cybersecurity Act. A roundtable discussion addressed the challenges of implementing AI among users, manufacturers, and testing organizations.

Session 5 – AI and machinery

This session explored the links between cybersecurity, AI, and machines in the context of occupational safety and health. It highlighted vulnerabilities to cyberattacks, trends in autonomous vehicles, and collision-prevention strategies.

Session 6 – Occupational safety and health in a future global context

This session examined occupational safety and health within the framework of evolving international dynamics. It addressed AI as a management tool, ethics, Europe’s role in global standardization, and the differences between ISO standards and European legislation.

Round table – Europe's future role among global forces

This roundtable examined the EU’s regulatory framework—including the Green Deal and the AI Act—and how it differs from that of other global players. It discussed the implications of a potential incompatibility between ISO standards and European legislation, as well as Europe’s ability to maintain its influence in international standardization.

The 2026 EUROSHNET Conference Program

Role of the European Network for Occupational Safety and Health

EUROSHNET is an international network of occupational safety and health (OSH) experts working in the fields of standardization, testing, and certification. It was established in response to the growing internationalization of standardization and the declining resources available to occupational safety and health stakeholders. This network aims to facilitate exchanges among experts, promote discussions on topics of common interest, and disseminate relevant information on occupational safety and health.
To foster exchanges among OSH experts in Europe, EUROSHNET regularly organizes European conferences. These conferences bring together not only experts from workers’ compensation and OSH organizations, but also all stakeholders in occupational safety and health: manufacturers and users of work equipment, testing and certification bodies, representatives of the European Commission and national authorities, standards institutes, and social partners.
EUROSHNET is a joint project of CIOP-PIB (Poland), DGUV (Germany), ELINYAE (Greece), EUROGIP (France), FIOH (Finland), INRS (France), INSST (Spain) and KAN (Germany).
It is based on a partnership agreement, and its governance is structured around a steering committee and a working group, in which the INRS actively participates.

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Last update on 01/07/2026