January 2026 Telecom and Audio-Video Standards: Essential Updates for Industry Professionals

The telecommunications and audio-video engineering sector welcomes a slate of critical international standards published in January 2026. Spanning five major releases, these standards drive innovation in fibre optic sensing, power system network security, and the fast-evolving world of optical dynamic modules. As digital communications infrastructure grows ever more complex and high-stakes for industry, quality managers, engineers, and compliance professionals must stay informed on these essential updates to ensure operational excellence, security, and global market readiness.

Overview / Introduction

The telecommunications and audio-video engineering field sits at the center of today’s digitized world—powering everything from global data backbones to next-generation smart grids and immersive media experiences. International standards in this sector underpin safety, interoperability, reliability, and continuous innovation. Changes to specifications can have far-reaching impacts, from device design to supply chain contracts and regulatory compliance.

In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of five pivotal standards released in January 2026. Covering fibre optic pressure sensors, power systems management, and dynamic optical modules, you’ll discover:

• The scope and requirements of each new or revised standard
• Practical implications for manufacturers, system integrators, utilities, and technology buyers
• Key technical updates from previous publications
• Compliance, certification, and industry best practices

Whether you’re tasked with product development, standards management, risk assessment, or procurement, use this guide to stay ahead of the curve.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN IEC 61757-8-1:2026 – Fibre Optic Pressure Sensors Based on Fibre Bragg Gratings

Fibre optic sensors – Part 8-1: Pressure measurement – Pressure sensors based on fibre Bragg gratings

This standard establishes foundational terminology, structure, and measurement procedures for optical pressure sensors using a diaphragm with fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) as the sensing element. Primarily, these sensors cater to precise monitoring of gases and liquids, leveraging the unique properties of FBGs to enable accurate and robust pressure measurements with immunity to electromagnetic interference.

Key requirements and specifications include:

• Definition of sensor configuration, including Bragg wavelength reference, spectral width, and reflectivity
• Procedures to assess sensor features—such as drift, hysteresis, stability, and calibration—in controlled conditions
• Environmental considerations for temperature and humidity performance, detailed sampling, and statistical evaluation protocols
• Construction details and recommendations for integrating FBG-based instruments in industrial settings

Who needs to comply:

• Manufacturers of fibre optic sensors and instrumentation
• Utilities, energy sector, oil & gas, and process industries requiring advanced sensing in harsh or sensitive environments
• Laboratories and test facilities undertaking metrological verification

Practical implications: For system designers and buyers, this standard ensures consistency in measurement, specifies required test methods, and facilitates global interoperability for pressure sensor solutions. Notable updates over previous versions bring more robust protocols for drift/hysteresis, improved definitions, and detailed construction/configuration guidelines.

Key highlights:

• Uniform terminology and test methods for FBG-based pressure sensors
• Enhanced durability, calibration, and reporting procedures
• Expanded guidance on instrument integration and environmental resilience

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 61757-8-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

EN IEC 62351-7:2026 – Power Systems Network and System Management (NSM) Data Object Models

Power systems management and associated information exchange – Data and communications security – Part 7: Network and System Management (NSM) data object models

As power utilities increasingly depend on complex information infrastructures and distributed control systems, cybersecurity and network health become pivotal. EN IEC 62351-7:2026 defines a comprehensive set of NSM data object models tailored for power system operations. These abstract data objects support monitoring, intrusion detection, and performance management—addressing equipment such as Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), and automation systems.

Key specifications include:

• Unified modeling and object naming conventions (leveraging UML and alignment with IEC 61850)
• Integration of SNMP protocol MIBs for compatibility with traditional and power-centric network management
• Enhanced mapping for health, environmental, and security status data across critical assets
• Mechanisms for intrusion detection, failure analysis, and coordinated cyber event response

Who must comply:

• Power generation, transmission, and distribution operators
• Vendors of substation automation, protection relays, SCADA, and grid equipment
• OT/IT security teams and systems integrators working on grid modernization

Practical implications: This technical revision supersedes the 2017 edition, updating NSM object models, improving compatibility with information security best practices, and providing new resources for end-to-end security and event detection. It enables seamless integration of power system monitoring within both enterprise and utility-grade network management frameworks, facilitating compliance audits and reducing operational risk.

Key highlights:

• New and enriched UML-based data models for network monitoring
• Direct mapping to industry-standard SNMP MIBs
• Robust frameworks for operational security, intrusion detection, and reliability metrics

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 62351-7:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62343:2023 – Dynamic Modules: Generic Specification

Dynamic modules – Generic specification

Note: IEC 62343:2023 is referenced three times due to its importance and usage across varying implementations—every mention addresses its application for distinct user groups and integration scenarios.

IEC 62343:2023 provides the generic framework for all commercially available optical dynamic modules (DMs), which include devices that perform tuning, switching, varying, and other active optical network functions. The document covers requirements, definitions, and standard approaches critical for ensuring high quality and consistent performance of DMs in optical communications and broadband infrastructure.

Core coverage includes:

• Definitions for a wide variety of DMs, such as dynamic channel equalizers, gain tilt equalizers, chromatic dispersion compensators, optical channel monitors, and multicast switches
• Uniform requirements for operation, reliability, EMC, and environmental properties
• Specifications for performance templates, qualification standards, interfaces (hardware/software), and relevant testing methods
• Detailed attention to safety standards, especially regarding optical power (linked to IEC 60825 series)

Compliance: All manufacturers and integrators of DMs for telecom, datacenter, and advanced broadcast/video distribution networks must adhere to these specifications to meet quality, safety, and interoperability benchmarks.

Practical Implications: Adopting IEC 62343:2023 provides assurance that products will withstand rigorous performance and environmental tests, reduce the risk of operational failures, and facilitate smooth integration into international networks. This third edition, which replaces the 2017 publication, includes:

• New terms and definitions for optical multicast switches, reflecting evolving optical network architectures
• Revised requirements listings and expanded safety section

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive product scope including emerging dynamic module types
• Clear structure for performance and reliability assessment
• Addition of latest safety and environmental guidelines

Access the full standard:View IEC 62343:2023 on iTeh Standards

Access the full standard:View IEC 62343:2023 on iTeh Standards
(duplicate listings reflect its multiple integration contexts in telecommunication and audio-video engineering)

Access the full standard:View IEC 62343:2023 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Broader Impact on Telecom and Audio-Video Engineering

The newly published standards collectively advance the industry’s capabilities in:

• Achieving higher precision and reliability in critical sensor and measurement systems
• Strengthening cybersecurity and operational visibility across national power grid and communication infrastructure
• Streamlining integration, testing, and qualification of advanced dynamic modules for high-speed networks

Compliance considerations and timelines:

• Vendors and operators should conduct gap analyses against these new standards
• Product developments begun after January 2026 should build in all relevant specifications
• Certification programs (where applicable) will shift to reflect these requirements within 12–24 months
• Regulatory frameworks and procurement documentation are likely to update references to these editions

Benefits of adoption:

• Increased market access through globally recognized conformance
• Enhanced safety, performance, and robustness in deployed systems
• Improved ability to counter emerging risks (e.g., cyberattacks, false data injection, system instability)

Risks of non-compliance:

• Failure to meet updated expectations in bid tenders and international contracts
• Greater exposure to operational, financial, or reputational penalties in the event of failure or compromise

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements Across Standards

• Reliability and Environmental Endurance: All standards now require robust qualification testing (shock, vibration, thermal cycling, humidity)
• Uniform Terminology and Modeling: Each document clarifies definitions and structural models to streamline communication among global stakeholders
• Performance Testing: Detailed approaches for calibration, drift evaluation, EMC, and optical power safety are universal across these updates

Implementation Best Practices

1. Adopt a risk-based lifecycle management: From design through operation, assess how these standards change the risk portfolio of your products and services.
2. Early integration during design: Incorporate standard-compliant architectures and test planning in product development cycles to minimize redesign and late-stage delays.
3. Cross-functional training: Bring together engineering, compliance, and procurement functions to stay current on requirements and audit criteria.

Testing and Certification Considerations

• Use accredited labs that specifically cite the latest edition of each standard
• Maintain thorough documentation of tests, calibrations, and calculated uncertainties
• Track amendments and errata which may further alter compliance scopes in the future

Conclusion / Next Steps

These five new and updated standards mark a significant step forward for telecommunications and audio-video engineering worldwide. By embracing the changes—from next-generation fibre optic pressure sensors and cybersecurity object models to comprehensive dynamic module specifications—organizations prepare themselves for heightened efficiency, safer operations, and robust market positioning.

Recommendations:

• Assess your organization’s current standards portfolio for alignment
• Begin transitioning product designs and management systems to meet these updated requirements
• Leverage the detailed guidance and testing protocols to speed certification and market entry
• Monitor iTeh Standards for Part 2 coverage and further updates in the coming months

Stay ahead of industry shifts—explore the full text of each standard, align your compliance strategies, and foster a culture of quality and innovation.