Acoustics and Acoustic Measurements: Key Standards for Metering, Aerospace, and Home Appliances

Acoustics and precise acoustic measurements form the backbone of quality assurance across a range of technologies—from utility metering and aerospace cabling to household appliances. As products become smarter and more connected, and as global business scales, compliance with up-to-date standards is no longer a simple checkbox—it’s a strategic enabler for growth, reliability, and customer trust. This article provides a deep dive into three pivotal international standards in the metrology and measurement category: SIST EN 13757-3:2025 for metering communications, SIST EN 4641-102:2025 for aerospace optical cables, and SIST EN IEC 60704-2-4:2025 for noise assessment in laundry appliances. For businesses operating in utilities, aerospace, or appliance manufacturing, mastering these standards is both a competitive advantage and a foundation for safe, efficient operations.

Overview / Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and measurement, acoustic standards and acoustic measurement guidelines hold a pivotal role. They ensure the accuracy, consistency, and safety of data exchanges, hardware performance, and environmental impacts across diverse sectors. Utilities increasingly rely on smart communication protocols for accurate billing and resource management. Aerospace manufacturers demand robust, high-performance cable standards to guarantee safety and communication integrity in extreme operating environments. Home appliance makers must deliver products that align with consumer comfort expectations, especially with increasingly rigorous noise regulations and market preferences.

This article explores three major standards:

• Communication systems for meters – Application protocols (SIST EN 13757-3:2025)
• Aerospace fibre optic cables – Product standard (SIST EN 4641-102:2025)
• Test code for airborne acoustical noise in washing machines (SIST EN IEC 60704-2-4:2025)

We will explain their scope, technical requirements, and who should comply; offer practical adoption advice; and help your business understand how strategic standards implementation can boost operations and confidence in metrology and measurement fields.

Detailed Standards Coverage

SIST EN 13757-3:2025 - Application Protocols for Metering Communication

Communication systems for meters - Part 3: Application protocols

The SIST EN 13757-3:2025 standard specifies the application layer protocols, focusing on the M-Bus protocol (Meter-Bus), for communication systems utilized by meters, sensors, and actuators. It serves as a framework for how metering devices (gas, water, electricity, thermal energy meters), sensors, or actuators exchange vital information with automated systems, such as utilities or smart city infrastructures. Its detailed application protocols support both wired and wireless transmission, aiming for security, efficiency, and low power consumption.

Key Aspects and Scope:

• Defines how metering data, including historical and real-time consumption or status values, is packaged, addressed, and transmitted at the application level (above the transport, network, and physical layers of communication stacks).
• Focuses extensively on the M-Bus application protocol, widely used in Europe for electricity, heat, gas, and water meters, as well as in smart building management systems and IoT environments.
• Enables interoperability between meters from different manufacturers and allows integration into both private and public metering infrastructures.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Flexible support for multiple application protocols selectable via Control Information (CI) fields, ensuring compatibility with both classic and emergent meter protocols.
• Emphasis on battery efficiency and message brevity—critical for wireless installations and longevity of remote devices.
• Includes a rich data model for communicating a wide variety of values (e.g. real-time use, tariffs, alarm conditions), and supports advanced features like clock synchronization, alarm/event reporting, manufacturer-specific data blocks, and secure communication with encrypted/unencrypted sections.
• Incorporates provisions for error handling, baud rate switching, device status flags, and advanced functionalities like remote valve control.
• Introduces improvements over previous editions, including enhanced support for sensor devices, new device codes (including those for thermal meters), explicit handling of installation conditions, new coding for message application, and expanded use of non-metric units.

Who must comply:

• Utility providers (electricity, water, gas, district heating/cooling), smart metering infrastructure providers
• Meter and sensor manufacturers
• Systems integrators, energy service and building management companies
• Smart city planners, IoT platform providers working with utility data

Practical implications: Implementing this standard is crucial for:

• Seamless meter installation and network expansion
• Efficient periodical or real-time data collection for billing and resource management
• Secure communication—a critical aspect as meter data becomes sensitive under data privacy laws
• Enabling remote diagnostics, maintenance, and upgrading of metering devices

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive, interoperable application protocols
• Extensible features for advanced smart metering and control (alarms, time sync, remote actions)
• Reduced deployment and operational costs through standardized data models

Access the full standard:View SIST EN 13757-3:2025 on iTeh Standards

SIST EN 4641-102:2025 - Aerospace Fibre Optic Cables Product Standard

Aerospace series – Cables, optical 125 μm outside diameter cladding – Part 102: Semi-loose 62,5/125 µm GI fibre nominal 1,8 mm outside diameter – Product standard

The SIST EN 4641-102:2025 standard specifies the performance and qualification requirements for a critical class of fibre optic cables used in aerospace environments. These cables feature a semi-loose buffer construction, optimized for robustness, lightweight design, and reliable optical performance under exacting mechanical and environmental demands of aircraft and spacecraft.

Key Aspects and Scope:

• Applies to optical cables with 62.5/125 μm graded index fibre and a nominal 1.8 mm outer diameter. These are widely implemented in cable harnesses connecting avionics, sensors, and onboard communications in both commercial and military aviation.
• Outlines requirements pertaining to physical construction, mechanical and environmental properties, optical performance, and materials used.
• Specifies cable packing, marking, labelling, and accepted delivery conditions to ensure supply chain and operational continuity in critical aerospace projects.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Mandates a suite of standardized tests for qualification and acceptance, including:
  • Mechanical: tensile strength, bending (low/high temp), crush resistance, torsion, impact and cut-through, flexibility, tie clamping
  • Environmental: accelerated ageing, humidity resistance, thermal shock/life, flammability, smoke density, toxicity, resistance to fluids
  • Optical: attenuation, bandwidth, proof test of fibre, immunity to ambient light
• Requires traceable documentation of product origin and composition, supporting stringent aerospace traceability mandates
• Supplies minimum requirements for designation, marking, and packaging
• Relies on several referenced standards for testing procedures (EN 3745/EN 2591 series, etc.), ensuring compatibility with wider aerospace harmonized standards

Who must comply:

• Aircraft manufacturers (civil and military)
• Aerospace systems integrators
• Avionics equipment providers
• Fibre optic component manufacturers and cable suppliers
• Maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) companies serving the aerospace sector

Practical implications: Conformance delivers:

• Predictable, robust optical communication pathways critical for flight safety and avionics performance
• Streamlined supplier management and reduced quality risk across the aerospace supply chain
• Regulatory compliance with international aerospace product standards, aiding global market access

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive qualification framework for aerospace optical cables
• High focus on reliability and long-cycle durability
• Ensures product traceability and consistent performance in mission-critical sectors

Access the full standard:View SIST EN 4641-102:2025 on iTeh Standards

SIST EN IEC 60704-2-4:2025 - Acoustical Noise Measurement for Washing Machines

Household and similar electrical appliances – Test code for the determination of airborne acoustical noise – Part 2-4: Particular requirements for washing machines and spin extractors (IEC 60704-2-4:2025)

SIST EN IEC 60704-2-4:2025 is the definitive international standard for measuring and reporting airborne noise emissions from washing machines and spin extractors. Building upon IEC 60704-1:2021, it encompasses all aspects of test setup, equipment operation, and result interpretation to ensure objective, reproducible noise measurements for laundry appliances.

Key Aspects and Scope:

• Addresses single-unit washing machines, combined washer/spinner appliances, and stand-alone spin extractors designed for household and similar use
• Includes additional provisions for multi-compartment and wall-mounted washing machines, reflecting recent market trends
• Designed to simulate practical, real-world usage for accurate assessment of airborne noise emissions

Key requirements and specifications:

• Comprehensive measurement protocols: controlled acoustical environments, microphone/instrumentation setup, and prescribed operation modes
• Aligned test loads, drum speeds and detergent use, referencing IEC 60456:2024 methodologies to reflect current washing technologies
• Requirements for documentation, reporting, and data traceability—critical for manufacturers aiming to make credible product noise claims
• Covers operational nuances such as start-up, spinning, drain cycles, and variations for multi-compartment systems
• Excludes declaration of noise emission values in product sheets, which are covered by different standards (see IEC 60704-3:2019)
• Adapted for merging new appliance types and test loads into the procedures, allowing for innovation in laundry technology

Who must comply:

• Appliance manufacturers (especially laundry, cleaning, and related white goods)
• Product testing laboratories
• Consumer protection organizations and regulatory agencies
• Retailers and brands seeking to market appliances internationally

Practical implications:

• Supports regulatory compliance (e.g., EU Ecodesign, noise labeling)
• Reduces risk of market withdrawal due to non-compliance or misleading consumer information
• Enhances product differentiation on noise—a key factor affecting consumer satisfaction and brand reputation

Key highlights:

• Defines state-of-the-art test procedures for airborne acoustical noise
• Facilitates fair comparison and benchmarking within the appliance market
• Updates underlying references and methods for emerging product innovations

Access the full standard:View SIST EN IEC 60704-2-4:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

For Businesses: Compliance with these standards unlocks multiple business benefits:

• Trust and Marketability: Standards-compliant products and systems gain credibility with clients, end-users, and regulators. This credibility is especially important for tenders and B2B contracts in utilities, aerospace, and appliances.
• Interoperability and Scalability: Adopting standards such as EN 13757-3 ensures that utility systems can scale, upgrade, and integrate devices from multiple vendors across regional and international markets, driving cost savings and customer choice.
• Risk Reduction: Stringent qualification and test protocols (as in SIST EN 4641-102:2025) mitigate failures that could otherwise escalate into costly recalls, safety incidents, or reputational loss.
• Competitive Differentiation: Quantifiable metrics (e.g., acoustical performance in washing machines) become key sales factors as consumers and buyers value quiet, safe, and environmentally conscious products.
• Regulatory Adherence: All three standards reflect not just best practice, but in many cases regulatory reality—non-compliance can result in denied market entry, legal action, or costly retrofits.

Compliance Considerations:

• Standards often interplay with local and regional regulations—ensure harmonization
• Document and trace compliance throughout design, production, and deployment
• Engage accredited labs for certification and testing
• Maintain updated knowledge of standard revisions and amendments

Implementation Guidance

Implementing acoustics and measurement standards can be straightforward with a structured approach:

1. Gap Assessment: Identify current operational practices vs. standard requirements.
2. Staff Training: Ensure your teams understand relevant protocols, test methods, and documentation needs. For metering, familiarize staff with M-Bus protocol and its configuration. For cables, emphasize handling, preparation, and test procedures. For acoustics, calibrate and maintain instrumentation to international methods.
3. Process Integration: Build compliant procedures into your quality management systems (QMS), product development, procurement, and supplier management processes.
4. Partner with Accredited Labs: Work with labs experienced in metrology and acoustic testing for accurate results and certification.
5. Documentation & Traceability: Maintain robust records of test results, equipment calibration, traceability logs, and supplier certificates. This safeguards compliance and smooths regulatory inspections or market surveillance.
6. Continuous Improvement & Standard Updates: Standards evolve—plan for periodic updates and systematic reviews of compliance status. Subscribe to alerts from reputable standards bodies and platforms like iTeh Standards.

Best Practices:

• Embed standard clauses in purchase/supply contracts
• Ensure product literature, labels, and marketing reflects tested and compliant attributes
• Invest in advanced tools for automated data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Foster a culture of quality and safety from R&D to after-market service

Resources for Organizations:

• iTeh Standards Platform for access to official, up-to-date standards, amendments, and guidance documents
• Industry associations and working groups for sector-specific interpretation and implementation tips
• Specialist consultants or auditors for compliance health checks

Conclusion / Next Steps

Precision in acoustics and acoustic measurement is foundational for operational excellence across utilities, aerospace, and manufacturing. The three standards highlighted—SIST EN 13757-3:2025, SIST EN 4641-102:2025, and SIST EN IEC 60704-2-4:2025—not only define technical requirements, but enable organizations to unlock efficiency, customer value, and growth. By implementing these standards, your organization ensures compatibility, safety, and regulatory adherence, and positions itself for innovation in a highly competitive, globalized landscape.

Recommendations:

• Explore, review, and implement relevant standards for your sector
• Train staff and update procedures to reflect new or revised requirements
• Leverage platforms like iTeh Standards to remain current and informed

Future-proof your products, processes, and services: start your journey with international acoustic and measurement standards today.

https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/6159bedd-05ae-45a5-b3e8-75a65cbb6ed7/sist-en-13757-3-2025

https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4c80cf1a-37b7-4121-9582-61bef8ebe365/sist-en-4641-102-2025

https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/e16fa6cf-397e-4d52-b1e7-8e8781720243/sist-en-iec-60704-2-4-2025