January 2026: Key Manufacturing Engineering Standards Released

The world of manufacturing engineering welcomes the new year with a suite of pivotal international standards, shaping the safety, quality, and technical performance of tools and process control systems used worldwide. In January 2026, five freshly published standards set new benchmarks for hand-held electric tools and industrial valve assemblies—delivering comprehensive guidance for engineers, quality managers, and compliance professionals. This detailed article unpacks the implications of these updates and highlights why adopting these standards is essential for operational safety, efficiency, and regulatory alignment.

Overview / Introduction

Manufacturing engineering is at the heart of modern industry—encompassing the design, operation, and integration of processes that turn raw materials into finished products. International standards in this sector underpin quality assurance, operator safety, and interoperability across global supply chains. Effective compliance with these standards is not only a hallmark of regulatory diligence but a competitive advantage, allowing organizations to mitigate risk, prove product reliability, and access new markets.

In this article, you'll find:

• Summaries of five newly published standards from IEC and CLC that define safety and performance requirements for motor-operated hand tools, battery-powered chain saws, and intelligent valve positioners.
• Expert analysis of key technical requirements, implementation advice, and real-world impact on manufacturing operations.
• Guidance for achieving compliance and maximizing operational benefits.

Detailed Standards Coverage

IEC 62841-2-24:2026 – Particular Requirements for Hand-Held Oscillating Multifunction Tools

Electric motor-operated hand-held tools, transportable tools and lawn and garden machinery – Safety – Part 2-24: Particular requirements for hand-held oscillating multifunction tools

Scope and Key Requirements: IEC 62841-2-24:2026 addresses the specific safety and design criteria for hand-held oscillating multifunction tools, aiming to reduce mechanical and electrical hazards during use. This standard supplements and modifies the general safety framework laid out in IEC 62841-1, focusing particularly on tools with lateral oscillating accessories for cutting, sanding, and grinding. It provides rigorous specifications for:

• Protection against access to live parts and mechanical hazards
• Resistance to heat, moisture, rusting, and abnormal operation
• Marking, user instructions, and explicit safety warnings unique to multifunctional oscillating tools

Who Needs to Comply:

• Manufacturers and importers of electric hand-held oscillating multifunction tools
• Product safety testing organizations
• National certification agencies responsible for consumer safety

Implementation and Changes: The standard requires manufacturers to implement enhanced testing (e.g., for heating, durability, mechanical strength), integrate additional safety instructions, and adopt new classification and marking protocols. A 36-month transitional period is recommended for organizations to align with the new requirements, facilitating equipment and process updates.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive annexes for noise/vibration emission measurements and battery tool provisions
• Specific requirements for accessory mounting and accessory movement patterns
• Compatibility definitions for use with other IEC standards and amendments

Access the full standard:View IEC 62841-2-24:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62841-2-24:2026 – Particular Requirements for Hand-Held Oscillating Multifunction Tools (Duplicate Entry)

As noted, this is a duplicate reference to the above IEC 62841-2-24:2026. The scope, requirements, compliance details, and practical implications remain the same as detailed previously. Professionals should refer to the primary coverage for in-depth analysis.

Access the full standard:View IEC 62841-2-24:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62841-4-9:2026 – Battery-Powered Chain Saws for Tree Service

Electric motor-operated hand-held tools, transportable tools and lawn and garden machinery – Safety – Part 4-9: Particular requirements for battery-powered chain saws for tree service

Scope and Key Requirements: This standard applies to rechargeable battery-powered chain saws specifically designed for tree service work, such as pruning and dismantling standing tree crowns. Tools addressed by this standard must not exceed a mass of 5.0 kg (excluding guide bar and chain). The maximum rated voltage for machines and battery packs is 75 V DC.

Key technical provisions include:

• Design restrictions ensuring safe operation (right-hand rear, left-hand front)
• Exclusion criteria for mains-powered, non-isolated sources, and other types of saws (pruning saws, pole-mounted pruners)
• Enhanced testing procedures for electric shock protection, battery safety (including lithium-ion risks), and mechanical integrity
• Product labeling requirements emphasizing protective gear and operator safety
• Specific fire and explosion risk mitigation requirements for battery systems

Who Needs to Comply:

• Manufacturers and suppliers of battery-operated chain saws for tree professionals
• Safety certifiers and industrial users operating in arboriculture and forestry

Industry Implications: Battery systems are specifically evaluated for their application in chain saws, and additional requirements prevent the direct applicability of generic battery standards. The safety framework covers design, testing, and operation, requiring dedicated risk assessments and operator training.

Key highlights:

• Dedicated annexes for noise/vibration measurement and battery fire/explosion protection
• Strict hand configuration and operator safety mandates
• Focused on lithium-ion battery hazards during use, charging, and storage

Access the full standard:View IEC 62841-4-9:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62841-4-9:2026 – Battery-Powered Chain Saws for Tree Service (Duplicate Entry)

This is a duplicate reference for IEC 62841-4-9:2026. Please see the detailed analysis above for technical details, compliance requirements, and industry impact.

Access the full standard:View IEC 62841-4-9:2026 on iTeh Standards

prEN IEC 61514-2:2024 – Performance Evaluation of Intelligent Valve Positioners

Industrial process control systems – Part 2: Methods of evaluating the performance of intelligent valve positioners with pneumatic outputs mounted on an actuator valve assembly

Scope and Key Requirements: This advanced standard targets the performance evaluation of intelligent valve positioners—devices that play a vital role in precise process control environments. Applicable to both single- and double-acting intelligent positioners receiving analog or digital control signals and driving pneumatic outputs, the standard provides:

• Design review procedures for assessing hardware and software features, including advanced diagnostics, self-testing, and communication capabilities
• A comprehensive methodology for static/dynamic performance measurement, condition monitoring, and functional testing under reference and simulated process conditions
• Prescribed reporting and documentation formats for transparent validation and comparison
• Frameworks for evaluating reliability, fail-safe behavior, electromagnetic compatibility, and cyber-physical integration

Who Needs to Comply:

• Valve/actuator manufacturers and automation solution providers
• Industrial process engineers and instrumentation specialists
• Third-party laboratory assessors and technical audit teams

Practical Implications: This standard is indispensable for anyone involved in the development, selection, or quality assurance of intelligent valve positioners in sectors like oil & gas, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, and food manufacturing. By standardizing evaluation and reporting, it fosters global interoperability and enhances plant reliability.

Key highlights:

• Detailed design review checklists and configuration guidance
• Step-by-step test set-ups for evaluating supply voltages, sensor assemblies, and data communication
• Specific provisions for documenting smart feature performance, including health monitoring and diagnostics

Access the full standard:View prEN IEC 61514-2:2024 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The publication of these standards signals a shift towards more rigorous safety, technological innovation, and digital integration across manufacturing operations. Companies in manufacturing engineering must:

• Audit their current tool and device design against the new safety requirements
• Update risk assessments and employee training, especially where new operator or battery safety protocols apply
• Develop or revise compliance roadmaps, taking advantage of recommended transitional periods (e.g., 36 months for IEC tool standards)
• Collaborate with certification and testing bodies to ensure product conformance and retain access to global markets

Benefits of adopting these standards include:

• Improved user/operator safety and reduction in workplace incidents
• Enhanced product reliability and longer lifecycle through standardized testing and qualification protocols
• Streamlined certification processes, boosting competitiveness and market confidence
• Mitigation of legal and regulatory risks

Conversely, non-compliance can result in product recalls, legal liability, restricted market access, and reputational damage.

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

• All standards emphasize strict mechanical and electrical safety benchmarks, requiring independent testing for endurance, mechanical strength, and abnormal operation tolerance.
• New battery-related standards incorporate fire/explosion risk controls and specific operator training guidelines, particularly for lithium-ion cell management.
• For intelligent valve positioners, there is a strong emphasis on both hardware and software evaluation—reflecting the growing complexity and digitalization of industrial controls.

Implementation Best Practices

1. Gap Analysis: Conduct a formal comparison between new requirements and existing product/process designs.
2. Staff Training: Ensure staff understand revised safety signage, user instructions, and emergency protocols (especially for battery-operated and high-power tools).
3. Documentation: Maintain up-to-date test records, conformity assessment files, and performance evaluation reports to satisfy auditors and clients.
4. Supplier Engagement: Work with suppliers to ensure components (e.g., battery packs, sensors) meet the updated specifications.
5. Third-Party Certification: Consider accredited laboratories for performance and compliance testing, facilitating smoother regulatory acceptance.

Testing and Certification Considerations

• New testing provisions laid out in annexes (e.g., for noise, vibration, battery safety) must be integrated into manufacturing quality management systems.
• Functional testing for intelligent valve positioners requires sophisticated test rigs and documentation tools to demonstrate compliance.

Conclusion / Next Steps

The January 2026 release of these manufacturing engineering standards marks a transformative milestone for the sector. Forward-thinking organizations should immediately:

• Review and align their product development, procurement, and compliance strategies with the new requirements
• Engage with industry experts and standards bodies to clarify ambiguities and implementation best practices
• Use the resources available on iTeh Standards to access and interpret the full texts, ensuring sustained compliance and market leadership

Stay proactive, stay compliant, and leverage the latest standards to drive your organization's quality, safety, and innovation agenda.