Following the adoption of three key standards – General Requirements, Aviation and Airport Security, and Maritime and Port Security – and with a fourth (Energy) nearing final adoption, the group has now made substantial progress on a new sector-specific standard for the Health Sector.

The health sector is not only essential to public well-being – it is also deeply complex and increasingly exposed to risks. From emergency departments facing threats of violence, to pharmaceutical facilities handling sensitive compounds, to manufacturers of medical equipment and research labs contributing to innovation – the sector encompasses six activities defined in the EU Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive.

The aim of this new standard is to define clear, quality-driven requirements for private security services across all these environments. Under the leadership of Dirk Bürhaus (representing BDSW – DE), and with the input of security experts from across Europe, the working group was able to outline key elements of the draft, which will now undergo further expert consultation.

This standard is another strategic step in building a coherent and effective European framework for private security in critical sectors – supporting resilience, safety, and trust across the continent.

The next meeting of WG01 and TC 439 will take place respectively in Berlin on 19 and 20 November. During this time, CoESS will actively seek comments and contributions on this future sector-specific standard.