January 2026 Brings Major Updates to Fluid Systems and Components Standards

In January 2026, the fluid systems and components industry marked a milestone with the publication of four pivotal international standards. These new and revised documents set updated benchmarks across piping, test methodologies, process control, and energy recovery technologies. The latest standards respond to evolving technical, environmental, and operational requirements, offering organizations essential tools to enhance safety, quality, and efficiency in fluid management systems.

For professionals in engineering, quality management, procurement, and research, understanding these updates is critical for compliance, market leadership, and risk mitigation.

Overview

Fluid systems and their components play a central role across sectors—municipal infrastructure, manufacturing, HVAC, process industries, and more. International standards harmonize design, manufacture, and performance specifications for products and systems, ensuring reliability and interoperability on a global scale.

Adhering to the latest fluid systems and components standards enables organizations to:

• Meet regulatory and safety requirements
• Optimize system performance and durability
• Facilitate market acceptance across regions
• Streamline testing, certification, and procurement processes

This article covers major updates in January 2026 affecting plastics piping, thermoplastics testing, valve positioner performance, and energy recovery ventilator evaluation.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 16611:2026 - GRP Plastics Piping Systems for Non-Circular Sewerage and Drainage

Plastics piping systems for drainage and sewerage without pressure — Non-circular pipes and joints made of glass-reinforced thermosetting plastics (GRP) based on unsaturated polyester resins (UP) — Dimensions, requirements and tests

This revised standard defines the properties, design requirements, and testing of non-circular GRP-UP pipes, joints, and fittings for drainage and sewerage applications without pressure. It supersedes the 2017 edition, incorporating alignment with related GRP standards and refining definitions and conformity assessment processes.

Scope and Key Requirements:

• Applies to non-circular GRP-UP pipes (including those with vinyl ester liners) DN 150 to DN 4000.
• Covers flexible and rigid joints, for both buried and certain non-buried (e.g. UV-exposed or supported) installations.
• Specifies:
  • Classification and sizing based on breadth and height
  • Layered wall construction and material properties
  • Mechanical properties: short- and long-term bending modulus, tensile strength, resistance to strain corrosion
  • Conformance assessment and marking protocols
  • Detailed testing for joint performance (flexible, rigid, leak tightness, misalignment tolerance)

Notable Changes:

• Aligned definitions (e.g., initial ring stiffness, wet creep factor) with related standards
• New alternative for measuring short-term flexural capacity
• Enhanced conformity assessment clause
• Clarified joint performance requirements

Industries/Applications:

• Water utilities, sewerage authorities
• Civil engineering and infrastructure
• Contractors, consultants, and OEMs using GRP piping

Practical Implications: Implementers must review updated definitions, mechanical testing, and joint requirements for compliance in new and relined pipeline projects.

Key highlights:

• Updated mechanical requirements and joint performance testing
• Expanded guidance on conformity assessment and marking
• Applicable for major sewer rehabilitation projects

Access the full standard:View ISO 16611:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 2507:2026 - Vicat Softening Temperature Testing for Thermoplastics Pipes and Fittings

Thermoplastics pipes and fittings — Vicat softening temperature — General test method and test conditions for vinyl chloride-based (PVC-U, PVC-C, PVC-HI) and acrylonitrile-based (ABS, ASA) pipes and fittings

This updated standard replaces earlier parts with a unified, expanded method for determining the Vicat softening temperature (VST) of thermoplastics pipes and fittings—a critical indicator of heat resistance for PVC and ABS systems.

Scope and Key Requirements:

• Standardizes the use of ISO 306 Method B 50 for VST measurement: 50 N load, 50 °C/h rate
• Applies to:
  • Unplasticized (PVC-U), chlorinated (PVC-C), and high-impact (PVC-HI) poly(vinyl chloride)
  • Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic (ASA)
  • May be used for other pipe materials (e.g., ultra-high molecular weight PE)
• Details specimen preparation from both pipes and fittings
• Specifies report content for test results and procedures

Industries/Applications:

• Pipe and fitting manufacturers (for QC and product certification)
• Laboratories testing polymer piping
• Procurement specialists specifying material heat resistance

Practical Implications: Consistent application of updated VST methodology enhances product comparability, helps demonstrate compliance, and supports international acceptance.

Key highlights:

• Consolidates testing for multiple plastic materials
• Explicit procedure for test sample preparation
• Aligned with ISO 306 (2022) and CEN harmonization

Access the full standard:View ISO 2507:2026 on iTeh Standards

prEN IEC 61514:2024 - Performance Evaluation for Valve Positioners with Pneumatic Outputs

Industrial-process control systems - Methods of evaluating the performance of valve positioners with pneumatic outputs

This comprehensive specification defines standardized methods to assess the static and dynamic performance of single-acting and double-acting analogue pneumatic valve positioners. The standard is key for instrumentation used in process automation and control, ensuring devices meet precision, response, and reliability metrics.

Scope and Key Requirements:

• Applies to positioners receiving standard analogue signals and delivering pneumatic outputs
• Covers:
  • Independent and actuator-combined testing setups
  • Performance definitions: gain, travel, accuracy (inaccuracy, conformity, hysteresis, repeatability error)
  • Influence of environment: supply conditions, temperature, humidity, vibration, EMC
  • Test procedures: initial setup, static and dynamic response (step/frequency), airflow data
  • Documentation/reporting protocols
• Facilitates performance verification both by manufacturers and independent third parties

Industries/Applications:

• Chemical, petrochemical, water treatment, industrial automation
• Instrument suppliers, system integrators, control engineers

Practical Implications: Following this standard ensures that positioners are rigorously evaluated, reducing operational risks in critical process control loops.

Key highlights:

• Detailed, standardized testing methods for both static and dynamic attributes
• Includes tests for influence of external factors and EMC
• Builds confidence in positioner performance claims and safety

Access the full standard:View prEN IEC 61514:2024 on iTeh Standards

ISO 5222-3:2026 - Performance Factors for Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs)

Heat recovery ventilators and energy recovery ventilators — Testing and calculating methods for performance factor — Part 3: Annual sensible heating and cooling recovery performance factors of heat recovery ventilators (HRVs)

Published as the third part of the ISO 5222 series, this standard addresses the annualized performance evaluation for HRVs—systems essential to energy-efficient building ventilation.

Scope and Key Requirements:

• Defines test and calculation methods for assessing annual sensible heating and cooling recovery (factor Fa) of HRVs, in accordance with ISO 16494-1
• Specifies:
  • Test conditions (outdoor temperature bins, standard test scenarios)
  • Methods for measuring sensible heating and cooling recovery under varied conditions
  • Marking and energy performance comparison procedures
  • Calculation of performance factors considering fan power and operational scenarios (with/without bypass)
• Applicable for both manufacturers making performance claims and regulatory evaluations

Industries/Applications:

• HVAC manufacturers and specifiers
• Energy consultants, building engineering and sustainability professionals
• Certification laboratories and regulators assessing building ventilation equipment

Practical Implications: This standard enables precise, harmonized evaluation of HRV performance, supporting energy efficiency labeling and informed choice for new builds and retrofits.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive seasonal performance factor calculation
• Standardized test conditions and reporting
• Facilitates fair market comparison and efficiency labeling

Access the full standard:View ISO 5222-3:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

These four new and updated standards reshape the compliance landscape for fluid systems and components in several ways:

• Regulatory Alignment: Adoption assures alignment with current international expectations for safety, quality, and environmental stewardship.
• Risk Management: Standardized testing and performance criteria reduce failure rates and operational risks in critical fluid handling infrastructure.
• Market Access: Compliance with ISO and IEC/EN standards is often a pre-requisite for participation in government tenders and international markets.
• Implementation Timelines: Organizations should plan for internal updates—training, procurement, design adjustments, and audits—to align with these standards within the usual transition period post-publication.
• Non-Compliance Risks: Failure to adopt may result in non-conformity with customer, legal, or insurance expectations, potentially leading to project delays, liability, or market exclusion.

Technical Insights

Several themes run across these newly published standards:

• Emphasis on Uniform Test Methods: Whether assessing thermoplastics heat resistance, valve positioner performance, or HRV system efficiency, reproducible and rigorous test methods are specified.
• Detailed Documentation: Each standard outlines exact reporting requirements, which aids traceability and audit readiness.
• Focus on Mechanical and Environmental Durability: Key properties such as bending resistance, Vicat softening temperature, impact of environmental conditions, and long-term reliability are forefront.
• Certification: Support for third-party and self-certification based on clear clauses and annexes—valuable for supply chain management.

Implementation Best Practices:

1. Review and update internal specifications and testing protocols to align with new requirements.
2. Evaluate existing products and processes for gaps, and plan upgrades where necessary.
3. Train procurement, quality, and technical teams in new compliance criteria, particularly focusing on reporting and test procedure updates.
4. Use standardized test methods as a benchmark during product development for faster certification and market entry.
5. Engage with accredited labs or certification bodies early to reduce lead times.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The January 2026 publication of these four essential standards for fluid systems and components marks a significant advancement in technical guidance, system reliability, and market harmonization. Organizations across infrastructure, manufacturing, HVAC, and process control can leverage these updates to enhance compliance, safety, and operational efficiency.

Key Takeaways:

• New requirements touch piping systems, plastics testing, industrial instrumentation, and energy-efficient building systems
• Early adoption ensures regulatory and market advantage
• Detailed methodologies streamline design, testing, and certification across diverse applications

Recommendations:

• Proactively review and implement the revised requirements
• Integrate new test methods and reporting protocols into quality and procurement systems
• Stay informed on further updates via trusted platforms

Explore the full collection and stay ahead:Browse all 2026 Fluid Systems and Components Standards on iTeh Standards

Adoption of these standards will help your organization stay at the forefront of international best practices in fluid system management. Ensure your teams are equipped, your processes aligned, and your business positioned for sustainable success.