May 2025 in Review: Key Civil Engineering Standards Published

Looking back at May 2025, the Civil Engineering sector saw the publication of several influential standards, each addressing pressing challenges in materials durability, environmental compliance, and performance measurement. With three key documents published, this month's standards reflect industry priorities—from advancing the science of bituminous mixture ageing, to assuring the quality and conformity of underground piping, and enhancing the acoustic evaluation of road surfaces. For engineers, quality managers, and compliance professionals, this overview distills the essential features, trends, and recommendations raised by these important publications.

Monthly Overview: May 2025

May 2025 brought forward a focused set of standards in the Civil Engineering field. While not the highest-volume month in terms of standardization activity, the three standards published this period demonstrate a clear emphasis on long-term infrastructure resilience, material performance, and standardized measurement techniques. The profile of this month's releases suggests a steady industry pivot toward better lifecycle management, regulatory assurance, and the quantification of previously challenging-to-measure properties—especially in construction materials and infrastructure acoustics.

Compared to earlier months, which often bring broader updates or introductory standards, May 2025 stands out for its technical sophistication and direct impact on daily engineering and asset management practices. The standards address crucial intersections between laboratory protocols, field measurement, and overall environmental sustainability. Together, they reinforce ongoing efforts to harmonize testing methods, strengthen conformity assessment, and support innovative design in civil projects.

Standards Published This Month

CEN/TS 12697-52:2025 – Bituminous Mixtures - Test Methods - Part 52: Conditioning to Address Oxidative Ageing

Bituminous mixtures – Test methods – Part 52: Conditioning to address oxidative ageing

This technical specification from CEN defines two comprehensive procedures for simulating oxidative ageing in bituminous mixtures—a pivotal factor influencing the durability and recyclability of pavement materials. Procedures A.1 (short-term) and A.2 (long-term) are applied to loose mixtures before compaction, while Procedures B.1 and B.2 are advanced techniques for compacted specimens, either produced in the lab or sourced from the field. The standard emphasizes accelerated conditioning through controlled temperature, pressure, and airflow—allowing materials to be tested for further characteristics following realistic simulated service conditions.

Since oxidative ageing affects key binder properties such as stiffness and brittleness, CEN/TS 12697-52:2025 is vital for laboratory technicians, asphalt producers, road authorities, and research organizations involved in pavement design, asset maintenance, and materials recycling. By aligning test conditions closer to real-world scenarios, this document aims to enhance reproducibility, regulatory acceptance, and ultimately, road durability across Europe and beyond.

Notable in this 2025 edition are editorial updates, expanded normative references, clarifications in test procedures, and new notes on specimen handling. It supersedes the 2017 version, reflecting both procedural refinement and advances in understanding ageing mechanisms.

Key highlights:

• Provides detailed protocols for both loose and compacted bituminous mixture conditioning
• Enables realistic simulation of short-term and long-term oxidative ageing effects
• Updated test equipment tolerances, clarity on procedural steps, and enhanced reporting requirements

Access the full standard:View CEN/TS 12697-52:2025 on iTeh Standards

CEN/TS 14758-2:2025 – Plastics Piping Systems for Non‐Pressure Underground Drainage and Sewerage – Polypropylene with Mineral Modifiers (PP‐MD) – Part 2: Assessment of Conformity

Plastics piping systems for non-pressure underground drainage and sewerage – Polypropylene with mineral modifiers (PP-MD) – Part 2: Assessment of conformity

CEN/TS 14758-2:2025 offers a detailed framework for the assessment of conformity of polypropylene-based piping systems with mineral modifiers, focusing on non-pressure underground drainage and sewerage applications. In conjunction with EN 14758-1, it establishes mandatory testing regimes, certification pathways, and quality system integration for manufacturers and third-party certifying agencies alike.

Key requirements include type testing for new systems or significant changes, batch release testing, process verification, and rigorous audit testing. The standard defines test matrices, reference procedures, roles for laboratories and certification bodies (in line with EN ISO/IEC 17065 and 17020), and documentation protocols such as quality plans and test records. It covers solid wall pipes and fittings (with or without internal/external skin), targeting applications both outside building structures and buried within them.

Sewerage authorities, civil contractors, and quality managers in major infrastructure projects will recognize the significance of these protocols, as they underpin product quality, regulatory compliance, and long-term asset integrity in vital underground systems.

This revision reflects the growing importance of polymer technology in civil infrastructure, updating conformity assessment in light of evolving performance demands and regulatory scrutiny.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive testing and conformity assessment flow for PP-MD piping systems
• Integration with manufacturer quality management systems and third-party certification
• Extensively updated terms, procedures, and guidance matrices for product, joint, and assembly evaluation

Access the full standard:View CEN/TS 14758-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 13472-2:2025 – Acoustics – Measurement of Sound Absorption Properties of Road Surfaces In Situ – Part 2: Spot Method for Reflective Surfaces

Acoustics – Measurement of sound absorption properties of road surfaces in situ – Part 2: Spot method for reflective surfaces

ISO 13472-2:2025 brings forward an advanced methodology for in situ measurement of the sound absorption coefficient of road surfaces, especially those with low absorption (i.e., reflective) properties in the frequency range 250 Hz to 1600 Hz (or up to 2000 Hz with a reduced diameter tube). The standard specifies test principles using a two-microphone impedance tube method, signal processing protocols, apparatus requirements, and quality control criteria for coherence in measurement bands. Emphasis is placed on practical, field-based application to semi-dense and dense road surfaces, with robust provisions for calibration, uncertainty analysis, and fixture design to ensure reliable airtight connections with the test surfaces.

The technique enables authorities, researchers, and acoustic engineers to evaluate roadway surfaces for compliance with design specifications and type-approval regulations (for example, according to ISO 10844), and verify performance criteria affecting vehicle noise and environmental quality. The 2025 update introduces technical clarifications, an expanded set of guidelines for coherence and transfer function selection, and additional annexes on uncertainty and alternative microphone configurations.

By facilitating accurate, non-destructive field measurement of the acoustic properties of pavements, the standard supports modern efforts to manage traffic noise and improve road user experience.

Key highlights:

• Defines precise in situ measurements for reflective road surfaces using impedance tube methodology
• Establishes coherence quality criteria and enhanced data processing techniques
• Integrates with related standards (ISO 10534-2, ISO 10844); includes provisions for expanded frequency ranges and uncertainty assessments

Access the full standard:View ISO 13472-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

A review of May 2025’s publications indicates a cohesive focus on three major industry drivers:

1. Lifecycle Durability and Asset Management: All three standards exemplify the sector’s effort to extend the service life of infrastructure through refined testing (oxidative ageing, conformity, acoustics) that better predicts performance and enables proactive intervention.

2. Laboratory–Field Harmonization: Each standard bridges the gap between laboratory protocols and field application: from laboratory conditioning of asphalt to in situ sound absorption tests, and standardized batch and process verification for underground piping. This trend ensures more realistic, transferable data for both design and compliance.

3. Stringent Quality and Auditing Requirements: Robust conformity assessment, clear reporting requirements, and explicit procedural guidance reflect tightening quality expectations by both regulators and owners—with broad implications for certification bodies, manufacturers, and public authorities alike.

4. Evolving Technology and Interdisciplinary Methods: Revisions consistently incorporate technical advances—whether in acoustic measurement (advanced tube and microphone set-ups), materials science (polypropylene modifiers), or aging simulation—highlighting the industry’s embrace of innovation.

The standards collectively address two high-impact sectors: road construction/maintenance and underground utilities. Such convergence highlights the integrated nature of civil infrastructure and the need for consistent, high-assurance practices.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Professionals affected by these standards should prioritize the following actions:

• Assess current practices against updated procedures in bituminous mixture conditioning, piping conformity, and road surface acoustics. Where old protocols persist, plan for transition and staff retraining.
• Update quality and documentation systems to integrate the new testing and reporting requirements. This is especially critical for organizations seeking certification or audit compliance.
• Engage with certification bodies (for piping systems) to ensure all new product lines or substantial changes are type-tested and appropriately documented.
• Calibrate laboratory and field measurement equipment to meet new precision, reporting, and uncertainty standards, especially for complex impedance tube-based acoustic measurements.
• Plan for phased adoption: While the standards set immediate requirements, some market segments or jurisdictions may allow a transition period; verify timelines with relevant authorities and sector groups.
• Leverage resources: Access the full texts through platforms like iTeh Standards to gain detailed clause-level understanding and consult related normative references.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from May 2025

May 2025 was a month of significant technical depth in the Civil Engineering standards landscape. The arrival of CEN/TS 12697-52:2025, CEN/TS 14758-2:2025, and ISO 13472-2:2025 underscores enduring priorities around asset durability, compliant material use, and the measurement of real-world performance. For professionals seeking not only to maintain compliance but also to sustain competitive, future-ready infrastructure, early implementation of these standards will be essential.

Recommendations:

• Review these standards in detail if you are involved in pavement design, materials testing, underground piping projects, or roadway acoustics.
• Update quality management and laboratory protocols as necessary—prioritizing those with direct regulatory or performance implications.
• Stay engaged with technical committees and platforms like iTeh Standards to track future developments, interpretations, or national annexes that may impact adoption.

Staying current with these evolving standards is not only a matter of regulatory necessity—it is a core strategy for ensuring service life, reliability, and public acceptance in modern civil engineering projects. Explore these standards in detail to ensure your organization remains at the forefront of industry best practices.