January 2026 Construction Materials Standards: Latest ISO & EN Updates

In January 2026, the landscape for construction materials and building took a significant step forward with the release of five pivotal international standards. Covering thermal insulation innovations and enhanced safety measures for escalator replacements, these new benchmarks shape the practices of manufacturers, designers, engineers, and building owners worldwide. From advanced mineral wool insulation requirements to critical updates for reflective thermal barriers and accessibility safety, these standards emphasize performance, compliance, and safety for modern building environments.

Overview

The construction materials sector continues to evolve, with international standards serving as the foundation for quality, safety, environmental performance, and regulatory compliance. Adoption of such standards is increasingly vital as buildings face tougher performance targets, stricter energy codes, and greater demands for occupant safety and comfort.

In this article, we examine:

• Technical highlights from January 2026’s most important newly published standards.
• Mandatory and recommended requirements for materials and building components.
• Industry applications and the stakeholders most affected.
• Practical impacts, implementation tips, and compliance strategies.

Whether you’re a quality manager, compliance officer, engineer, or procurement professional, understanding these updates is essential to maintaining a competitive edge and meeting today’s building demands.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 8145:2026 - Thermal Insulation Mineral Wool Board for Overdeck Insulation of Roofs

Thermal insulation — Mineral wool board for overdeck insulation of roofs — Specification

ISO 8145:2026 sets the specification for bonded, human-made mineral wool boards used as overdeck insulation on building roofs. Its scope covers both board products with and without facing membranes, specifically intended for roofs with foot traffic limited to maintenance personnel. The standard addresses all essential properties to be declared at the time of delivery, including test methods for key performance indicators such as dimensions, fire behavior, thermal performance, deformation resistance, and mechanical strength.

Key requirements include:

• Declaration and stringent tolerances for dimensions (length, width, thickness, squareness, flatness).
• Performance limits for thermal resistance and conductivity based on ISO 8301 and ISO 8302 testing.
• Tests for deformation resistance, interlaminar strength, breaking load, and general handling.
• Compliance with fire behavior requirements relevant to local regulations.
• Explicit guidance on deriving design values by factoring in environmental and installation variables.

This standard is essential for insulation manufacturers, roofing contractors, designers, and facility owners who demand reliable, high-performance roofing solutions. Revised from its 1994 edition, ISO 8145:2026 now includes new dimensional testing and updated thermal performance tests.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive dimensional tolerances and quality control protocols
• Enhanced test procedures for thermal performance
• Applicability to modern insulated roofing systems

Access the full standard:View ISO 8145:2026 on iTeh Standards

prEN 115-5 - Safety of Escalators and Moving Walks: Replacement in Existing Buildings

Safety of escalators and moving walks - Part 5: Replacement of existing escalators/moving walks in existing buildings

prEN 115-5 addresses a critical aspect of building modernization: the safe replacement of escalators and moving walks in existing structures where building constraints can make full compliance with EN 115-1:2017 impossible. This standard provides alternative safety requirements and allowable deviations—only when structural limitations truly preclude installation of compliant new equipment.

The document covers:

• Safety rules for replacing old escalators/moving walks in pre-existing buildings.
• Procedure for verifying building limitations and justifying deviations from EN 115-1.
• Alternative requirements for clear height, standing area in machinery spaces, inclinations, step runs, and unrestricted areas.
• Risk mitigation protocols including reduced machine spaces, step lighting, additional emergency stop devices, and color demarcation for enhanced safety in constrained scenarios.

Targeted at escalator manufacturers, building owners, facility managers, and installers, this standard plays a crucial role in ensuring that replacement equipment remains as safe as possible—even when ideal spatial requirements are unattainable.

Key highlights:

• Alternative safety measures for retrofit escalator projects
• Decisive guidance for handling building-related limitations
• Verification and documentation protocols for compliance

Access the full standard:View prEN 115-5 on iTeh Standards

ISO 8144-1:2026 - Mineral Wool Mats for Ventilated Spaces (Restricted Ventilation)

Thermal insulation — Mineral wool mats for ventilated spaces — Part 1: Specification for applications with restricted ventilation

ISO 8144-1:2026 sets out stringent requirements for bonded mineral wool thermal insulating mats—supplied as batts or rolls—designed for use in ventilated building spaces where excessive insulation recovery could restrict necessary air flow. Common applications include ventilated attics or roof cavities where a precise balance between insulation and ventilation is critical.

The document specifies:

• Physical properties (length, width, thickness, squareness) and classified tolerances.
• Fire behavior and thermal performance criteria, with declared values for resistance and conductivity.
• Mechanical properties required for safe handling, compliant with ISO 12576-1.
• Methods for ensuring mats maintain stability under typical temperature and humidity conditions.
• Guidance on converting specification limits to real-world design values (with reference to ISO 10456).

Designed for insulation producers, architects, and building engineers, this standard ensures safe, energy-efficient solutions in spaces where airflow considerations are as important as thermal performance. The 2026 revision adds references to dimensional testing and updates procedures for thermal tests.

Key highlights:

• Precision tolerances for dimensions and handling properties
• Special focus on maintaining adequate ventilation in enclosed roof spaces
• Factory-applied facing options permitted (performance not covered)

Access the full standard:View ISO 8144-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 8144-2:2026 - Mineral Wool Mats for Ventilated Spaces (Unrestricted Ventilation)

Thermal insulation — Mineral wool mats for ventilated spaces — Part 2: Specification for horizontal applications with unrestricted ventilation

Complementing Part 1, ISO 8144-2:2026 establishes criteria for mineral wool mats used in horizontal applications with unrestricted ventilation, minimizing the risk that insulation may impede essential air flow. Typical uses include large attic or under-roof spaces where excess insulation thickness will not create ventilation issues.

The standard covers:

• Nominal and permissible product dimensions, squareness, and handling properties.
• Fire safety and thermal resistance, allowing for the derivation of design values in challenging site conditions.
• Requirements for delivery, marking, factory-applied facings, and conformity to ISO 12576-1 for quality control systems.

Crucially, this part of the standard clarifies that mats are not intended to carry loads—only handling requirements for application are specified. This ensures manufacturers and installers deliver consistent quality for areas requiring both high thermal performance and unobstructed ventilation.

Key highlights:

• Defines clear tolerances for use in high-ventilation horizontal assemblies
• Ensures durability and handling standards for rolls and batts
• Aligns with contemporary best practices for energy-efficient, ventilated building envelopes

Access the full standard:View ISO 8144-2:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 21239:2026 - Reflective Insulating Products for Buildings

Thermal insulation products for buildings — Reflective insulating products — Specification

ISO 21239:2026 introduces a complete set of requirements for factory-made thermal insulation products featuring one or more reflective or low-emissivity surfaces, designed for use with an incorporated air space. Available as rolls, boards, or sheets, these products are increasingly favored for high-performance building envelopes and energy retrofits.

Key aspects include:

• Product classification and designation codes for reflective insulation materials.
• Essential properties such as declared emissivity, thermal resistance, dimensional tolerances, combustibility, and durability.
• Performance and test protocols for emissivity, thermal conductivity (as per ISO 8990, ISO 6946), water absorption, vapor transmission, and flexural requirements of reflective layers.
• Durability criteria for reflective layers (adhesive strength, flexibility, and mildew resistance).
• Factory production control, marking, labelling, and conformity assessment for quality assurance.

This standard is vital for insulation manufacturers, designers, facade engineers, and contractors seeking innovative solutions with low thermal bridging and advanced energy efficiency. Although not specifying minimum levels for all properties, ISO 21239 references project requirements for establishing performance benchmarks.

Key highlights:

• Clarifies classification and test methods for modern reflective insulation
• Defines critical durability and hygrothermal performance requirements
• Strengthens global confidence in reflective product specifications and compliance practices

Access the full standard:View ISO 21239:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

These January 2026 releases signal a new era of performance and safety benchmarks for construction materials and building assemblies. The direct effects include:

• Improved reliability and transparency in insulation product performance.
• Enhanced safety standards for retrofitting transit systems within existing architectures.
• Clearer requirements for manufacturers on marking, quality control, and declared values.

Compliance considerations:

• Adoption timelines are typically enforced by national authorities or project specifications; early adoption is highly beneficial for competitive bids and risk mitigation.
• Non-conformance can lead to regulatory challenges, costly rework, or disqualification from key projects.
• Third-party certification or testing may be required depending on local codes and tender documentation.

Benefits of adopting these standards:

• Streamlined procurement and specification processes
• Greater assurance of building safety and energy performance
• Risk reduction for all parties through harmonized documentation and proven testing protocols

Technical Insights

Across these standards, several technical themes and best practices emerge:

• Stringent dimensional tolerances and mechanical requirements: For mineral wool insulation, precise product dimensions and deformation resistance are crucial.
• Emphasis on declared and design values: Manufacturers must clearly state product performance and enable users to translate these into real-life design applications, accounting for environmental and assembly impacts.
• Enhanced safety case for escalator retrofits: Mandatory documentation and verification routines reduce risk when physical constraints limit compliance.
• Quality assurance: Factory production control and regular type testing underpin confidence and traceability.
• Testing standards alignment: Most standards reference recognized ISO/EN methods for thermal, mechanical, and fire performance, promoting international consistency and mutual recognition.

Best practices for implementation include:

1. Early engagement with manufacturers and test laboratories to secure compliant products.
2. Integrated design/specification reviews to confirm alignment with the latest standard editions.
3. Comprehensive documentation and quality management processes at every project phase.
4. Regularly scheduled inspection and maintenance routines (especially for safety-critical systems like escalators).

Conclusion / Next Steps

The first wave of January 2026 international standards for construction materials and building sets a robust framework for high-performance, safe, and future-ready buildings. Industry professionals are strongly advised to:

• Review each new standard's full text for detailed requirements and guidance.
• Update internal specifications, procurement templates, and training programs.
• Collaborate with trusted suppliers and certification bodies to secure ongoing compliance.
• Monitor forthcoming standards in this category for a comprehensive compliance roadmap.

Explore these standards in detail and stay updated on additional releases and interpretations through iTeh Standards.