November 2025: Latest IT Standards for Immersive Media, VR Training, Smart Transport & Building Automation

A landmark wave of Information Technology standards arrived in November 2025, shaping the next generation of immersive media, intelligent transport, virtual/augmented reality-based education, haptics coding, and building automation. This update spotlights five new international standards that set requirements, best practices, and conformance testing methodologies for leading-edge IT systems. Their timely publication underscores a global commitment to interoperability, reliability, and efficiency across digital infrastructures.

Overview

The Information Technology sector is in the midst of rapid transformation driven by immersive experiences, interconnected devices, and smart environments. Standards function as the backbone of digital progress, ensuring compatibility, security, and functional excellence across diverse stakeholders and systems. This article guides IT professionals, compliance officers, engineers, researchers, and procurement experts through the details and impact of five newly released standards from November 2025, including:

• Coded representation of immersive media (scene description and haptics)
• Dynamic mapping for intelligent transport and autonomous vehicles
• Information modelling for VR/AR/MR-based education and training systems
• Rigorous conformance testing for BACnet communication in building automation

By the end of this article, readers will understand the technical requirements, compliance expectations, and practical benefits each standard brings to their domain.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO/IEC 23090-14:2025 – Scene Description for Immersive Media

Full Title: Information technology – Coded representation of immersive media – Part 14: Scene description

Immersive media has redefined entertainment, simulation, and virtual presence—demanding advanced standards for describing complex digital environments. ISO/IEC 23090-14:2025 introduces vital enhancements to scene description formats, targeting MPEG-coded content and immersive delivery scenarios.

This standard extends the syntax and semantics of established scene description tools (notably ISO/IEC 12113) to support:

• Seamless integration of MPEG media assets (including audio, video, and 3D objects)
• Visual and audio scene extensions for interactivity, AR anchoring, avatars, textures, and lighting
• A standardized API (Media Access Function, MAF) for real-time communication between the presentation engine and media sources
• Efficient data carriage formats supporting glTF JSON, buffer management, timed animations, and mesh correspondence

Implementing organizations—from immersive app developers to multimedia system integrators—will benefit from flexible and interoperable playlists, real-time media handling, and detailed metadata for complex presentations.

Key highlights:

• Broad support for MPEG media within immersive scenes
• Real-time AR and avatar extensions for next-gen applications
• Media Access Function (MAF) API definition for modular system architectures

Access the full standard:View ISO/IEC 23090-14:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO/TS 22726-1:2025 – Static Map Data for Connected and Automated Driving

Full Title: Intelligent transport systems – Dynamic data and map database specification for connected and automated driving system applications – Part 1: Architecture and logical data model for harmonization of static map data

Global efforts to advance intelligent transport systems (ITS) and connected/autonomous vehicles rely on precise, interoperable digital maps. ISO/TS 22726-1:2025 focuses on the core architecture and logical data model ensuring harmonization of static map data crucial for safe and effective automated driving.

Key requirements include:

• Standardized data architectures defining relationships among roads, intersections, lanes, structures, and equipment
• A logical model that structures physical/environmental, regulatory, and road network attributes
• Packages for modeling road belts, lane segments, roadmarkings, traffic regulations, and equipment, while enabling integration with dynamic information sources
• Conformance procedures for establishing map data interchange and validation

Target users include ITS solution providers, vehicle OEMs, map database vendors, and city planners aiming for robust, harmonized support of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and full automation pipelines.

Key highlights:

• Fully specified logical model for static map objects and their interrelations
• Clear separation of map features: roads, lanes, equipment, and regulation data
• Foundational for subsequent standards on dynamic map data and system interoperability

Access the full standard:View ISO/TS 22726-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO/IEC 23090-33:2025 – Conformance and Reference Software for Haptics Coding

Full Title: Information technology – Coded representation of immersive media – Part 33: Conformance and reference software for haptics coding

Tactile (haptic) feedback is revolutionizing immersive experiences in entertainment, training, and telepresence. ISO/IEC 23090-33:2025 delivers a reference implementation and a rigorous test suite for conformance to the haptics coding standard ISO/IEC 23090-31.

Organizations can leverage this standard to:

• Verify encoder/decoder implementations meet the syntax, semantics, and interoperability requirements for haptics signal processing
• Employ provided reference software as a trustworthy basis for further development, QA, and cross-vendor validation
• Use real data (waveform PCM, AHAP, IVS, or HJIF files) and various encoding forms (JSON, binary streaming) within test procedures
• Integrate with broader immersive media deployments covered by the MPEG-I suite

Manufacturers, application developers, and quality assurance teams save time and reduce risk by basing their solutions on the included, vetted software components.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive test suite for haptics encoders/decoders
• Reference software for both encoding and decoding, promoting rapid vendor interoperability
• Support for both file-based and streaming testing scenarios

Access the full standard:View ISO/IEC 23090-33:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO/IEC 9234:2025 – Information Modelling for VR/AR/MR-based Education and Training

Full Title: Information technology – Information modelling for virtual, augmented and mixed reality based education and training systems

Immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) are redefining how skills and knowledge are transferred. ISO/IEC 9234:2025 creates a structured, standards-based approach to designing, developing, and managing information within VR/AR/MR-integrated education and training environments.

The document guides organizations on:

• Core concepts and terminology for VR/AR/MR education, including interactions, simulation, sensor integration, and avatar management
• A systematic information architecture to organize 3D environments, user interactions, participation data, and content management
• Functional system components—ensuring standardization in user experience, content delivery, knowledge management, and sensor interconnectivity
• Framework and best practices for scalable implementation, with illustrative use cases across industries (e.g., remote laboratories, medical training, immersive classrooms)
• Procedures for ensuring conformance to the information model, allowing future systems to seamlessly interoperate and evolve

This standard is indispensable for EdTech developers, higher education institutions, corporate learning teams, and solution architects building immersive learning platforms.

Key highlights:

• End-to-end modelling architecture spanning content, users, sensors, and environment
• Guidance on both learning and training system requirements in VR/AR/MR
• Emphasizes secure, interoperable, and reusable data structures

Access the full standard:View ISO/IEC 9234:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 16484-6:2025 – Data Communication Conformance Testing for Building Automation Systems

Full Title: Building automation and control systems (BACS) – Part 6: Data communication conformance testing (ISO 16484-6:2024)

With the proliferation of smart buildings and integrated facility management, conformance of communication protocols is non-negotiable. EN ISO 16484-6:2025 provides a complete test methodology for verifying BACnet communication capabilities in building automation and control systems.

This standard details:

• Testing procedures for verifying support of all BACnet services (as initiator, executor, or both)
• Coverage of required and optional BACnet object types and their properties
• Validation of supported network layer protocols, data link options, and special functionalities
• Specification of Electronic Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement (EPICS) file formats, consistency checks, and comprehensive test scenarios for application services (alarms, event notifications, property management, etc.)

BACS vendors, system integrators, and compliance laboratories use this standard to ensure interoperability, minimize deployment risks, and meet market/regulatory requirements for smart buildings.

Key highlights:

• Exhaustive test coverage for BACnet protocol implementations
• Structured EPICS-based conformance documentation and verification
• Facilitates reliable integration and certification of building automation devices

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 16484-6:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Adoption of these standards will:

• Enable Interoperability: Ensuring diverse IT systems—whether multimedia engines, automated vehicles, immersive learning platforms, or building controllers—work together reliably.
• Accelerate Innovation: Lowering integration hurdles empowers organizations to adopt cutting-edge technologies with confidence and speed.
• Reduce Compliance Risk: Adherence to global standards is key to market access, customer trust, and legal or regulatory acceptance—particularly in sectors like construction, automotive, or education.
• Support Quality & Security: Standardized processes and interfaces minimize vulnerabilities and maximize performance throughput.

Compliance timelines will depend on regulatory mandates, contractual obligations, or internal modernization goals. Early movers gain a competitive advantage by setting best practices and ensuring readiness for evolving ecosystems.

Risks of non-compliance:

• Integration failures or malfunctions
• Vendor lock-in and costly retrofits
• Barriers to entering regulated or cross-border markets
• Exposure to safety, security, or interoperability incidents

Technical Insights

Common technical requirements observed:

• Modular architectures to future-proof system evolution (e.g., through APIs or logical models)
• Semantic consistency for data carriage, description, and service invocation
• Comprehensive conformance testing—especially for protocols (e.g., BACnet) and codecs (e.g., haptics)
• Support for both file-based and streaming data (as seen in immersive media/haptics)

Best practices for implementation:

1. Baseline Assessment: Conduct a gap analysis against current systems and the new standard's requirements.
2. Phased Integration: Start with core modules or pilot deployments, extending to more advanced features (like AR anchoring or object-specific BACnet support) as experience grows.
3. Automate Testing: Use provided conformance suites and reference software wherever available to reduce errors and accelerate certification.
4. Document and Train: Ensure all changes and procedures are documented, and staff are educated on the impacts and operation of standardized components.

Testing & Certification Considerations:

• Ensure conformance documentation (e.g., EPICS for BACS, conformance reports for media/haptics)
• Validate interoperability with reference implementations (especially for new coding techniques or communication protocols)
• Plan for continuous compliance via ongoing version tracking and test automation

Conclusion & Next Steps

This fifth installment in our November 2025 Information Technology standards series demonstrates an industry-wide push for unified, scalable solutions across immersive media, transport, education, and smart infrastructure. By aligning products and processes with these new standards, organizations will benefit from greater interoperability, quality, and future viability.

Recommendations:

• Review the linked full-text standards for implementation specifics relevant to your domain
• Initiate gap assessments and compliance planning promptly
• Use provided test software and validation guidance to streamline certification
• Stay engaged with iTeh Standards for ongoing updates on new and upcoming standards releases

Professionals who champion standards gain a seat at the forefront of innovation. Ensure your organization is ready—visit the linked standards on iTeh Standards and subscribe for notifications on upcoming releases.