Following a successful workshop in Prague during the annual CEN/TC 444 meeting week, we’re proud to share that our Chief Soil Officer Bob Klein Lankhorst has been appointed as the Convenor of Working Group 8 "Assessment" within CEN/TC 444 – Environmental Characterization of Solid Matrices.

This European working group is dedicated to developing harmonized, science-based methods for assessing soil quality and function across the EU. As Convenor, Bob will lead this effort — shaping practical standards that help us better measure, understand, and compare soil health and ecosystem services.

It’s a privilege to work alongside experts from across Europe to build bridges between science, policy, and practice. Standardization may sound technical, but it’s ultimately about creating tools for better decisions — for farmers, land users, for ecosystems, and for the generations to come.

Congratulations, Bob!