January 2026: Essential Standard Updates for Rubber and Plastics Industries

The start of 2026 brings new momentum for the rubber and plastics industries, with the release of three significant ISO standards. These updates address critical aspects in manufacturing, quality control, and product performance, impacting sectors from advanced ceramics to hydraulic engineering. Industry professionals, engineers, quality managers, and compliance leaders should examine these changes closely: understanding and implementing these standards is essential to maintain compliance, improve safety, and deliver products that meet evolving market expectations.

Overview / Introduction

The rubber and plastics industries are foundational to modern manufacturing, supplying essential materials and systems for construction, automotive, medical, and industrial applications. International standards in this sector ensure product reliability, facilitate global trade, and establish uniform methods for testing and quality assurance. In January 2026, three new ISO standards were published that directly impact product design, testing methodologies, and performance requirements:

• Tensile adhesion strength testing for fibre-combined multilayer ceramic tiles
• Preparation of standard test specimens to investigate anisotropy in thermoplastics
• Updated performance specifications for wire-braid-reinforced hydraulic hoses

In this article, you’ll find an in-depth look at each new standard, including scope, key requirements, affected sectors, and actionable guidance for compliance and implementation.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 10545-24:2026 – Tensile Adhesion Strength of Fibre-Combined Multilayer Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles — Part 24: Tensile adhesion strength of fibre-combined multilayer ceramic tile and tile adhesive

This newly published standard details a method for measuring the tensile adhesion strength between fibre-combined multilayer ceramic tiles and the cementitious adhesives used in their installation—a critical factor for modern tiling systems, especially in demanding architectural and infrastructure projects. The standard sets out a rigorous testing protocol, including: sample preparation, test conditioning, adhesive mixing, and testing across a range of environmental stressors (water immersion, heat ageing, freeze-thaw cycles).

Scope and Key Requirements

• Defines how to assess the bond strength at the interface of glass fibre mesh-backed ceramic tiles and adhesives.
• Incorporates a range of test conditions to simulate real-world exposure: water immersion, thermal ageing, and freeze-thaw resistance.
• Specifies the tools and apparatus required (e.g., tensile testing apparatus, pull-head plates, defined masses, notched trowels) and key definitions.
• Evaluation criteria include failure modes, result expression, and comprehensive test reporting.

Who Should Comply

• Tile manufacturers
• Adhesive formulators and suppliers
• Quality assurance laboratories in construction materials
• Contractors involved in advanced ceramic tile installation

Practical Implications

For organizations, this standard provides a harmonized method to qualify tile-adhesive systems, verify manufacturer claims, and ensure the safety of installations. Compliance is particularly critical for projects exposed to high mechanical or environmental stresses, such as commercial flooring, ventilated facades, or exterior cladding systems. Regulatory agencies and project specifiers will increasingly reference this test method to ensure performance guarantees.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive methodology for tensile adhesion strength testing
• Realistic simulation of challenging environmental exposures
• Supports innovation and higher performance in composite ceramic tile products

Access the full standard:View ISO 10545-24:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 294-5:2026 – Preparation of Standard Specimens for Investigating Anisotropy in Thermoplastics

Plastics — Injection moulding of test specimens of thermoplastic materials — Part 5: Preparation of standard specimens for investigating anisotropy

Anisotropy—the directional dependence of material properties—is a core challenge in plastics engineering, especially with fibre-reinforced thermoplastics. ISO 294-5:2026 offers an updated and refined approach for preparing molded plates and test specimens (using the type F ISO mould) to assess how process-induced orientation of fillers and polymer chains influences mechanical strength and performance. This edition removes problematic legacy plate sizes and aligns with current best practice in both laboratory and industrial environments.

Scope and Key Requirements

• Specifies the dimensional, procedural, and operational details for preparing anisotropy test plates (preferred size: 80 mm x 120 mm x 2 mm)
• Covers injection moulding procedures for creating standard specimens (ISO 20753 types A22 or B3)
• Outlines conditioning, machining or stamping, and documentation methods for reliable, reproducible data
• Emphasizes methodology tailored to support design optimization, not just material quality control

Who Should Comply

• Plastics manufacturers and compounders
• Research and development labs in materials science
• Mould and part designers in automotive, consumer goods, and electronics
• Testing laboratories specializing in mechanical characterization

Practical Implications

Accurate evaluation of anisotropy allows engineers to better predict part performance and avoid unexpected failures in end-use applications. For regulatory compliance and competitive design, understanding the influence of processing on material properties is crucial. Adoption of the new standard ensures test results are internationally harmonized and supports advanced simulation/modeling in part development.

Key highlights:

• Clear geometry and preparation protocol for meaningful anisotropy testing
• Removal of outdated plate size and process ambiguities
• Better support for design decisions in structural plastics applications

Access the full standard:View ISO 294-5:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 1436:2026 – Wire-Braid-Reinforced Hydraulic Rubber Hoses and Hose Assemblies

Rubber hoses and hose assemblies — Wire-braid-reinforced hydraulic types for oil-based or water-based fluids — Specification

This major revision to ISO 1436 details extensive, up-to-date requirements for six types of wire-braid-reinforced hydraulic hoses and assemblies, addressing performance in severe industrial—from mobile hydraulics to heavy construction equipment. The standard codifies designations (such as 1SN, 2SN, R1AT, R2AT), temperature ranges, fluid compatibility, and establishes a series of rigorous performance tests covering everything from burst pressure to flexibility, abrasion resistance, and ozone resistance.

Scope and Key Requirements

• Encompasses hoses of nominal size 5 to 51, with added coverage for certain large sizes (up to 76 mm in 2SN)
• Specifies compatibility with oil-based (HH, HL, HM, HR, HV) and water-based hydraulic fluids (HFC, HFAE, HFAS, HFB), at specified temperature ranges
• Identifies testing and classification for: hydrostatic strength, impulse resistance, bending radii, adhesion, vacuum resistance, abrasion, and more
• Defines marking and manufacturing requirements for traceability and safety
• Highlights that connection ends are outside the standard’s scope—focusing on the hose and assembly performance
• The seventh edition introduces revised type test frequencies and removes outdated annex content

Who Should Comply

• Manufacturers of hydraulic hoses and assemblies
• Quality assurance and R&D teams in industrial hydraulics
• Procurement specialists selecting hoses for OEM or MRO applications
• Safety engineers and system designers in heavy equipment, automotive, and fluid power sectors

Practical Implications

Strict adherence to the updated standard ensures hoses deliver specified safety and reliability in service, minimizing risk of failures, leaks, or accidents under demanding pressure and temperature conditions. Supply chain professionals and system integrators benefit from clear requirements when sourcing, auditing, or certifying hydraulic hose products.

Key highlights:

• Six performance-graded hose types, extended dimensional coverage
• Detailed, practical test procedures for comprehensive quality assurance
• New requirements for test frequency and manufacturer responsibility

Access the full standard:View ISO 1436:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The January 2026 standards refresh signals an elevated benchmark for safety, consistency, and innovation across the rubber and plastics sectors. Companies that promptly adapt will benefit in several ways:

• Enhanced Product Reliability: Objective, harmonized test methods lead to trustworthy performance data for tiles, plastics, and hoses.
• Streamlined Regulatory Approval: Adoption helps organizations maintain compliance with international and national building, safety, and quality codes.
• Competitive Advantage: Early movers can leverage updated certifications and documentation in global tenders and partnerships.
• Risk Mitigation: Detecting and addressing performance shortfalls reduces the likelihood of costly field failures or liability claims.

Compliance Considerations and Timelines:

• Review transition periods posted by regulatory bodies or sector-specific authorities.
• Audit current products and processes against new requirements—especially for multi-layered tiles, thermoplastic part design, and hydraulic assemblies.
• Plan staff training on updated test methods and reporting formats.
• Update procurement specifications to require certified compliance from suppliers.

Risks of Non-Compliance:

• Loss of market access for products that don’t conform to current standards
• Increased exposure to warranty claims or project rework
• Delays in regulatory approvals or project certifications

Technical Insights

Common Technical Themes

Although these standards address distinct product categories, several cross-cutting best practices emerge:

• Sample Preparation and Conditioning: Strict control of specimen preparation (as seen in both tile and plastics standards) is essential for repeatability and data comparability.
• Environmental Simulation: Testing protocols now often require exposure to heat, water immersion, freeze-thaw, or chemical environments to guarantee real-world durability.
• Dimensional Consistency: Whether preparing molded plastic plates or measuring hose diameters, dimensional control is central to product performance and safety.
• Traceable and Clear Reporting: Comprehensive documentation of results, failure analysis, and compliance is critical for audits and quality system integration.

Implementation Best Practices

1. Integrate Standard Training: Ensure laboratory and production personnel are familiar with the latest procedures and equipment, as defined by each ISO document.
2. Adopt Digital Traceability: Use digital tools to track batch testing, results, and compliance reports against standard clauses.
3. Collaborate with Suppliers: Engage upstream suppliers (such as adhesive, resin, or reinforcement fiber producers) to confirm that their raw materials can meet or exceed the new requirements.
4. Schedule Regular Monitoring: Establish routine reviews of field performance and integrate feedback into product and process refinement.

Testing and Certification Considerations

• Partner with accredited laboratories that have validated equipment for tensile adhesion, anisotropy assessment, or hydraulic hose testing.
• Seek third-party certification or participation in recognized product listings for market differentiation.
• Ensure test data and certificates are referenced in all tenders, product datasheets, and regulatory submissions.

Conclusion / Next Steps

The newly published ISO standards for January 2026 represent both an opportunity and a challenge for participants in the rubber and plastics industries. Robust adhesion testing for composite ceramic tiles, modernized protocols for understanding thermoplastic anisotropy, and toughened requirements for hydraulic hose performance will become industry benchmarks.

Key recommendations for organizations:

• Download and review the full texts of all relevant standards via iTeh Standards
• Conduct a gap analysis—identify adjustments needed in your product designs, testing regimes, and purchasing documentation
• Train your teams on updated procedures; consult with accredited bodies as needed
• Stay connected with iTeh Standards for future updates, expert commentary, and implementation tools

Act now to ensure your products and processes are fully aligned with the latest international best practices—secure your place at the forefront of safety, quality, and innovation in rubber and plastics for 2026 and beyond.