October 2026: New Standard Enhances Track and Trace for E-Commerce Returns in Postal Services

The rapid growth of e-commerce has placed increasing pressure on postal services and logistics providers to manage not only the delivery of goods but also the often-complex processes of returns. In October 2026, a major advancement was introduced to the sector: CEN/TS 18055-2:2026—a technical specification specifically aimed at harmonizing track and trace events across common postal return flows. This new standard promises greater transparency, trust, and operational efficiency for e-commerce merchants, recipients, and logistics service providers (LSPs) operating at the heart of global supply chains.

Overview / Introduction

The postal services and organization management sector plays a critical role in the modern economy, particularly with the surge in e-commerce activity. Returns have become a persistent challenge for online retailers, logistic networks, and consumers. Studies indicate not only are return rates increasing, but discrepancies in returns handling can erode customer trust, inflate costs, and cause confusion due to varying tracking practices by different providers.

Standards like CEN/TS 18055-2:2026 bring necessary structure by defining "harmonized events" for tracking returned items—ensuring all stakeholders have access to clear, consistent, and actionable information. This article covers the content and implications of the new standard, offering professionals insight into its requirements, compliance pathways, and anticipated industry impact.

Detailed Standards Coverage

CEN/TS 18055-2:2026 - Harmonized Track and Trace Events for E-Commerce Return Flow

Full Title: Postal Services – Harmonized Track and Trace Events – Part 2: Return Flow

Scope and Purpose:

CEN/TS 18055-2:2026 details the minimum set of standardized track and trace events for e-commerce items during the return process. Unlike forward logistics, returns can be triggered by a range of causes: unsuccessful deliveries, customer-initiated returns, regulatory rejections, and more. This specification addresses the most crucial events and outcomes—always from a consumer and merchant perspective—so that sellers, buyers, and LSPs share a unified language and set of expectations, regardless of national or provider-specific practices.

Key Requirements and Specifications:

• Defines 11 harmonized tracking events for returns
• Outlines four major return scenarios:
  1. Unsuccessful delivery (item not accepted by recipient; remains with last mile operator)
  2. Return to sender or equivalent (item delivered but later returned)
  3. Recipient-initiated returns (sending back part of a received shipment)
  4. Return due to regulatory/cross-border issues (e.g., failed customs clearance)
• Provides a standardized data set for each event, ensuring consistency
• Requires the use of original parcel identifiers to maintain visibility between forward and return flows
• Enables LSPs to map their internal events to the harmonized event set for unified customer communication
• Assumes cross-border and domestic applicability, not just for e-commerce but for other reverse logistics cases

Who Needs to Comply:

• Logistic service providers (LSPs), including postal operators and couriers
• E-commerce retailers and platforms
• Quality assurance and supply chain managers involved in returns processing
• Organizations seeking to simplify customer support and increase supply chain transparency

Practical Implications for Implementation:

• LSPs must align their tracking systems to capture and report the specified events
• E-commerce businesses benefit from a reduction in customer queries, clearer refund processes, and improved customer satisfaction
• Receivers have access to proof of return and real-time updates, facilitating smoother refund/credit handling

Notable Changes/Innovations:

• Reframes return tracking from the perspective of recipients and merchants, using consumer-friendly language
• Specifies exactly when the forward flow ends and the return flow begins in logistics operations
• Supports mapping and integration with existing national/international tracking standards

Key highlights:

• Captures end-user-centric return events for greater clarity
• Improves visibility and trust in e-commerce reverse logistics
• Supports flexible mapping from LSP-specific internal processes

Access the full standard:View CEN/TS 18055-2:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The introduction of CEN/TS 18055-2:2026 is expected to have a substantial impact on organizations engaged in postal services, e-commerce, logistics, and returns management. By standardizing not only the events to be tracked but also their definitions and the data elements required, the specification reduces ambiguity and enables smoother operations across borders and sectors.

Business Effects:

• Reduced customer service overhead due to fewer queries and disputes about returns
• Enhanced ability to provide "proof of return" for recipients, supporting prompt and secure refunds
• Better coordination between multiple LSPs, especially in international and multi-leg returns
• Reinforced consumer trust, promoting increased e-commerce activity and retention

Compliance Considerations and Timelines:

• As a technical specification, early adoption can provide competitive advantage, especially for pan-European and international operations
• Organizations should review their current returns handling processes and tracking IT systems for alignment with the new events and data fields
• Pay attention to the standard's review and adoption progression, as initial provisional validity suggests possible transition into a formal European Standard (EN) within a few years

Benefits of Adoption:

• Streamlined returns operations
• Consistent, transparent communications with both consumers and merchant partners
• Reduced errors and cycle times in cross-border returns

Risks of Non-Compliance:

• Lower customer satisfaction leading to reputational risk
• Higher customer support costs and operational inefficiencies
• Potential misalignments with future regulatory or market expectations as harmonization progresses

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements:

• Recording and reporting parcel events in real-time or near-real-time
• Maintaining persistent original identifiers through the return journey
• Mapping LSP-internal event codes to the harmonized event set to avoid information loss or confusion

Implementation Best Practices:

1. Gap Assessment: Compare current internal and customer-facing tracking events to the harmonized list; identify any missing or non-conforming data elements.
2. IT Systems Update: Enhance event recording, data transfer, and customer notification mechanisms to ensure conformity.
3. Stakeholder Communication: Train customer support, logistics, and operational staff to reference and interpret harmonized events when interacting with recipients and merchants.
4. Cross-Border Integration: For international returns, ensure interoperability with third-party LSPs by sharing harmonized event definitions and ensuring mutual recognition.

Testing and Certification:

• Initial adoption may not require formal certification but should include robust internal and cross-partner testing to ensure event data integrity and process alignment.
• Early engagement with relevant national standards organizations and postal regulatory bodies is recommended to stay ahead of likely future formalization.

Conclusion / Next Steps

The publication of CEN/TS 18055-2:2026 marks a milestone in the evolution of returns management for postal services and e-commerce. By establishing a clear, harmonized language and event structure for reverse logistics, the standard offers practical tools for enhancing transparency, reducing costs, and building consumer confidence in both domestic and cross-border transactions.

Key takeaways:

• Adoption of harmonized track and trace events transforms the customer experience for e-commerce returns
• Eases operational and IT integration for organizations managing reverse logistics flows
• Promotes industry-wide efficiency, compliance, and future readiness

Recommendations:

• Businesses and LSPs should review and map internal processes to the new standard as soon as possible
• Quality and compliance managers should monitor the transition from technical specification to full European Standard for emerging requirements
• Explore the standard in detail to ensure competitive edge and compliance in the fast-changing world of e-commerce logistics

Find the full specification and more resources on the international standards hub:

Access the full CEN/TS 18055-2:2026 standard here:View CEN/TS 18055-2:2026 on iTeh Standards

Stay tuned to iTeh Standards for future updates and in-depth analyses on international standards that shape the landscape of postal services, company organization, and e-commerce logistics.