From June 10 to 12, 2026, the 31st meeting of Working Group 4 on Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics (WG 4), under the Technical Committee of the International Organization for Standardization on Medical Laboratories and In Vitro Diagnostic Systems (ISO/TC 212), was held in Berlin, Germany. A delegate from the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) attended the meeting on behalf of China’s national mirror committee (SAC/TC 136).

Discussions focused on systematic reviews of existing standards, proposals for new work items, and the progress of ongoing projects. Special emphasis was placed on standards in the field of molecular diagnostics. The meeting also addressed emerging areas such as digital pathology coupled with AI-based image analysis and next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications, where significant progress was reported and relevant draft documents were recommended to proceed to the voting stage. A total of ten formal resolutions were adopted, covering the initiation of standard revisions, the progression of drafts to voting, the activation of new projects, and the nomination of experts.

The meeting highlighted the accelerating pace of international standardization in molecular diagnostics and the continuous expansion into new technology areas. The Chinese delegate gained valuable and up-to-date insights into the latest developments, laying a solid foundation for deeper participation in future international standard-setting activities. CNAS will continue to follow the work of WG 4 and promote the alignment of China's relevant standardization efforts with international practices.