November 2025: New Standards for Safer and Smarter Agricultural Machinery

An important set of international standards for the agriculture sector has been published this November 2025, marking significant advances in safety, efficiency, and operational best practices. From robotic feed systems and specialty harvesters to power take-off safety, sprayer cleaning, and poultry processing, these five standards set new benchmarks for agricultural machinery and processes. Industry stakeholders who adopt these standards will gain a competitive edge and enhance workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and overall productivity.

Overview

The agricultural sector is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and increasing regulatory requirements. Standards play a critical role in ensuring safety, quality, and performance across machinery, equipment, and processes. This article covers five new or revised standards released in November 2025, each addressing critical areas:

• Robotic feed systems for livestock
• Specialized harvesters for grapes, olives, and coffee
• Strength and wear testing for PTO shaft guards
• Test methods for internal cleaning of crop protection sprayers
• Operating procedures for chicken slaughtering

By understanding and implementing these standards, professionals can minimize risks, improve operational outcomes, and demonstrate compliance with international best practices.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN ISO 3991:2025 – Safety for Robotic Feed Systems in Livestock Farming

Agricultural machinery – Robotic feed systems – Safety (ISO 3991:2025)

The newly published EN ISO 3991:2025 brings a comprehensive approach to the safety of Robotic Feed Systems (RFS) used in livestock operations. These automated solutions are designed to store, mix, transport, and distribute feed to animals such as cows, sheep, and pigs, significantly reducing the need for human intervention in potentially hazardous environments.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Safety measures for all RFS functions: feed storage, loading, mixing, traveling, cleaning, and feed pushing.
• Mandatory safety information and residual risk awareness for operators and maintenance teams.
• Design and construction criteria that address hazards associated with moving parts, electrical safety, noise, maintenance, and operator access.
• Exclusion of systems designed for fixed installations or field application, and specific engine- and electrical-connection topics (covered by separate standards).

Who needs to comply:

• Manufacturers, integrators, and operators of robotic feed systems in livestock farming facilities.
• Compliance officers responsible for workplace machine safety and animal welfare.

Practical implications:

• Enhanced worker safety near automated feed equipment.
• Reduced risk of injuries and system malfunctions.
• Improved documentation for safe operation and maintenance routines.
• Clear separation from non-covered systems (e.g., conveyor-based or field systems).

Notable changes/new features:

• Aligns RFS safety practices with EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) requirements.
• Incorporates emerging best practices in human-animal-machine interaction.

Key highlights:

• Covers all significant hazards during intended and reasonably foreseeable misuse.
• Addresses both movable and fixed system requirements.
• Requires manufacturers to provide detailed safety instructions and warnings.

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 3991:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 4254-20:2025 – Specialized Safety for Grape, Olive, and Coffee Harvesters

Agricultural machinery – Safety – Part 20: Grape, olives and coffee harvesters (ISO 4254-20:2025)

This standard tailors general agricultural machinery safety protocols to the unique risks presented by grape, olive, and coffee harvesting equipment. It covers both trailed and self-propelled machines used in plantation and orchard settings, integrating with the broader ISO 4254 machinery safety series.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Hazard identification and mitigation specific to these crops’ harvesting operations.
• Verification and verification methods for safety functions, including stability, operator presence, remote control, power supply loss, and braking performance.
• Instructions for safe operation, maintenance, and labeling, focusing on operator protection and reducing exposure to moving parts.
• Additional criteria covering visibility, noise exposure, vibration, and equipment cleaning/sanitation.
• Ergonomics addressed for operator controls and stations.

Who needs to comply:

• Manufacturers and fleet operators of grape, olive, and coffee harvesters.
• Compliance and safety managers in plantation, orchard, and specialty crop operations.

Practical implications:

• Enhances overall machinery safety, specifically for delicate and labor-intensive harvesting environments.
• Reduces accident risks for operators and maintenance staff.

Notable changes/new features:

• This release supersedes general coverage by providing crop-specific safety measures.
• Integrates updated labeling, instructional, and marking requirements.
• Adapted for compatibility with the latest amendments in the foundational ISO 4254-1 standard.

Key highlights:

• Crop-specific hazard analysis and risk reduction.
• Operator station and control safety refinements.
• Requirements for power sources, stability, alarms, and braking systems.

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 4254-20:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 5674:2025 – PTO Shaft Guard Strength and Wear Testing

Tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry – Guards for power take-off (PTO) drive-shafts – Strength and wear tests and acceptance criteria (ISO 5674:2024)

Power-Take-Off (PTO) shafts present serious risks if guards are inadequate or fail during operation. EN ISO 5674:2025 defines robust testing and acceptance criteria ensuring guards’ strength and wear resistance, critical for tractors and various agricultural/forestry machinery.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Test protocols for mechanical strength, impact resistance, bearing corrosion, and component durability (radial/axial loads, impact, UV exposure, etc.).
• Definition of acceptable test benchmarks and minimum performance values.
• Not applicable to guards acting as steps or those manufactured before the publication date.

Who needs to comply:

• PTO guard manufacturers, agricultural equipment suppliers, machinery testing and certification bodies.
• Operators and safety managers responsible for tractor and implement safety.

Practical implications:

• Ensures PTO protection meets a recognized international safety threshold.
• Reduces the risk of injury from entanglement or guard failure.
• Facilitates market access and regulatory acceptance for compliant equipment.

Notable changes/new features:

• Replaces and updates EN ISO 5674:2009 with clarified UV testing, enhanced test reporting, and new acceptance criteria for modern materials/designs.

Key highlights:

• Specific, repeatable test methods for all main PTO guard features.
• Acceptance criteria for strength, wear, and environmental durability.
• Comprehensive testing schedule for both conventional and novel designs.

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 5674:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 22368-1:2025 – Testing The Cleaning Performance of Crop Sprayer Systems

Crop protection equipment – Test methods for the evaluation of cleaning systems – Part 1: Internal cleaning of complete sprayers

With increased focus on environmental safety and residue reduction, ISO 22368-1:2025 provides a rigorous test method for evaluating the internal cleaning efficiency of mounted, trailed, and self-propelled sprayers used in agriculture. The standard is not intended for direct injection, hand-held, aerial, or drone-based sprayers.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Test setup includes defined test materials, sample collection points, and thorough documentation requirements.
• Quantifies cleaning effect, reduction factor, and ensures operator/environmental safety during testing.
• Mandates the use of environmentally friendly test substances.
• Requires measurement equipment (thermometers, scales with precise resolution, tank gauges, sample containers capable of high-temperature exposure).

Who needs to comply:

• Manufacturers of agricultural sprayers, crop-protection equipment suppliers, and test laboratories.
• Farm operators seeking to validate and improve cleaning protocols.

Practical implications:

• Reduces chemical cross-contamination and environmental risk from residues.
• Supports sprayer manufacturers in developing more effective internal cleaning systems.
• Aids in regulatory compliance and sustainable agriculture initiatives.

Notable changes/new features:

• Updated test materials and environmentally friendly protocols.
• Detailed sample testing methodology for consistent, reproducible results.
• Enhanced reporting guidance.

Key highlights:

• Standardized internal cleaning performance evaluation.
• Adopted test materials with minimal environmental impact.
• Promotes operator and end-user safety in crop protection.

Access the full standard:View ISO 22368-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 19599:2025 – Standardized Operating Procedures for Chicken Slaughtering

Operating procedures of chicken slaughtering

ISO 19599:2025 establishes a harmonized set of procedures for chicken slaughtering, covering the full process from pre-slaughter management to chilling and by-product sorting. It supports compliance with international animal welfare and food safety guidelines.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Pre-slaughter holding, stunning, bleeding, scalding, defeathering, evisceration, washing, chilling, and storage steps are thoroughly defined.
• Strict requirements for hygienic practice and cross-contamination prevention.
• Animal welfare mandates based on referenced global best practices.

Who needs to comply:

• Poultry processing facilities, food safety officers, regulatory agencies, and quality system managers.

Practical implications:

• Provides foundational guidance for operational audits and regulatory inspection.
• Supports export eligibility and supply chain transparency.

Notable changes/new features:

• Aligns operating procedures with global food safety (e.g., Codex) and animal welfare standards.
• Integrates guidance for detailed process and hygiene controls.

Key highlights:

• Harmonized chicken slaughtering steps supporting food safety and welfare.
• Comprehensive controls from hanging to storage and by-product handling.
• Reference to critical international documents and animal welfare codes.

Access the full standard:View ISO 19599:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Adopting these standards positions businesses at the forefront of safe, sustainable, and efficient agricultural operations. Compliance with the latest requirements is not only a regulatory imperative but also drives continuous improvement through:

• Reduction of accident, liability, and operational risks
• Improved product quality and food safety
• Enhanced animal welfare and environmental protection
• Access to global markets and supply chains where conformance is mandatory
• Streamlined audits and greater stakeholder trust

Compliance timelines:

• Most standards require immediate application for new equipment and processes post-publication.
• Transition periods may apply for existing installations; consult the individual standard or governing body for clarification.

Risks of non-compliance include:

• Regulatory penalties and market exclusion
• Increased likelihood of workplace injuries and operational disruption
• Loss of competitive position

Technical Insights

Consistent themes across these standards:

• Comprehensive hazard analysis: From equipment design to operational procedures, risk reduction is paramount.
• Materials and test methods: Emphasis on robust, replicable testing for mechanical, chemical, and process safety.
• Operator and maintenance guidance: Clear, actionable procedures and documentation support effective training and execution.
• Integration with existing frameworks: Standards align with widely recognized directives (EU Machinery Directive, Codex, animal welfare codes) to provide a unified approach to risk management and compliance.

Best practices for implementation:

1. Undertake gap analyses of current operations against each standard’s requirements.
2. Engage with equipment suppliers and certification bodies early to validate conformance.
3. Develop or update training programs for operators, maintenance staff, and quality managers.
4. Integrate procedural documentation and labeling as part of your compliance system.
5. Monitor for revisions and updates—standards evolve rapidly with technological changes.

Testing and certification considerations:

• Use ISO/IEC accredited laboratories and methods.
• Maintain meticulous test reports and records for each piece of equipment or process.
• Prioritize traceability and transparency in all compliance documentation.

Conclusion / Next Steps

The November 2025 publication of these agricultural standards signals the sector’s move towards higher safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency. By reviewing, adopting, and fully implementing these standards, organizations not only meet regulatory obligations but also foster a culture of excellence and innovation.

Key actions for organizations:

• Review the full text of relevant standards (see links above)
• Conduct a standards compliance audit
• Communicate key changes and requirements to all team members
• Engage with industry forums and regulatory bodies to stay ahead of upcoming changes

Stay at the forefront of agricultural innovation and compliance—explore the latest international standards on iTeh Standards and ensure your operations are future-ready.