Agriculture Standards Summary – October 2025: Inspections of Sprayers in Use (Pt. 2)

Looking back at October 2025, the Agriculture sector experienced a significant update in how plant protection machinery is inspected and maintained, with three pivotal standards published addressing sprayers in use. This continuation of the month’s standards coverage delves into these detailed requirements, enhancing the regulatory framework for environmental protection, operator safety, and application efficiency in modern crop production systems. With all three standards coordinated under the ISO 16122 series, this overview is essential for industry professionals seeking to align their machinery compliance, inspection protocols, and sustainability practices with the latest international expectations.

Monthly Overview: October 2025

October 2025 marked a pronounced focus on plant care equipment within the Agriculture sector, with a suite of standards targeting the inspection of sprayers. This period saw the publication of updated European and international standards addressing the condition, performance, and environmental risks of sprayers used for diverse crop settings, including horizontal boom units, those for bush and tree crops, and installations that are fixed or semi-mobile. This clustering reflects a broader trend in the industry towards harmonisation of safety and environmental requirements, greater inspection rigor, and lifecycle sustainability beyond initial equipment certification.

In comparison to previous publication periods, October 2025 stands out by consolidating the key inspection protocols for all major sprayer types into a cohesive, aligned set of requirements. This ensures that regardless of the equipment configuration or operational context, plant protection application is scrutinized for both efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Standards Published This Month

EN ISO 16122-2:2025 – Inspection of Horizontal Boom Sprayers

Agricultural and forestry machinery – Inspection of sprayers in use – Part 2: Horizontal boom sprayers (ISO 16122-2:2024)

This standard, replacing its 2015 predecessor, establishes comprehensive requirements and testing methods for the inspection of horizontal boom sprayers during their operational life. Used in conjunction with ISO 16122-1:2024 (General requirements), it addresses all critical aspects of sprayer integrity, from static and dynamic leak prevention to pump performance, agitation systems, tank design, and control accuracy. The primary aim is to mitigate environmental contamination and maximize the effectiveness of pest control measures.

Key technical features include:

• Detailed inspection protocols for leaks, dripping, and components such as pumps, agitation methods, and filtering systems
• Specific requirements for tank filling, emptying, cleaning, and safety components
• Methods for assessing distribution uniformity and nozzle performance, using flow meters and patternators
• Guidance ensures compliance with the EU Directive 2009/128/EC on sustainable pesticide use, supporting both regulatory and voluntary inspection schemes

The standard is crucial for:

• Owners/operating managers of arable and field crop machinery
• Sprayer inspection bodies and service technicians
• Regulatory agencies and farm compliance officers

Equipment inspectors, farm managers, and service providers will find that EN ISO 16122-2:2025 brings numerous technical updates, notably in testing procedures, controls, and environmental risk mitigation compared to previous versions. All inspection outcomes are linked to EU and national conformity presumption where cited.

Key highlights:

• Replaces and extensively updates EN ISO 16122-2:2015
• Provides harmonisation with the latest environmental and operator safety directives
• Requires rigorous documentation and traceability for inspection findings

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 16122-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 16122-3:2025 – Inspection of Sprayers for Bush and Tree Crops

Agricultural and forestry machinery – Inspection of sprayers in use – Part 3: Sprayers for bush and tree crops (ISO 16122-3:2024)

Building on the overarching framework of the ISO 16122 series, this part targets the unique technical requirements and risks associated with sprayers deployed in orchard, vineyard, and bush crop environments. Published as a successor to the 2015 edition, it stipulates how to inspect for environmental risk factors, operational integrity, and consistent application performance in often challenging terrain and crop layouts.

Distinctive standards elements include:

• Inspection routines for pumps, agitation, spraying tanks, filtration, and complex nozzle arrangements required for 3D crop canopies
• Test methods for both static and dynamic leaks, tank cleaning, pressure regulation, and flow rate controls
• Guidelines for the safe and thorough cleaning of pesticide residues and maintenance of operator safety

The standard applies to:

• Orchard and vineyard owners/operators
• Custom spray contractors and inspection services
• R&D and compliance teams within agro-machinery manufacturers

EN ISO 16122-3:2025 also reinforces links to EU environmental directives, offering clear procedures for risk minimisation and equipment performance verification. Revisions address new developments in bush and arboriculture spraying, with changes to test capacities, flow meters, dripping and nozzle setups, all aiming for minimized input and maximum pest management efficiency.

Key highlights:

• Tailored for the specialized requirements of perennial and arboreal crop spraying
• Updates legacy requirements and harmonizes with the latest EU pesticide application standards
• Supports thorough, structured documentation and inspector competencies

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 16122-3:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 16122-4:2025 – Inspection of Fixed and Semi-Mobile Sprayers

Agricultural and forestry machines – Inspection of sprayers in use – Part 4: Fixed and semi-mobile sprayers (ISO 16122-4:2024)

This standard addresses the inspection of fixed and semi-mobile sprayers, typical for protected crop environments (e.g., greenhouses) or centralized treatment facilities. It lays out the requirements and verification methods that reflect the operational profiles and environmental interfaces of these systems. The 2025 update introduces clarifications and improvements over the 2015 edition, aligning practices with contemporary environmental protection directives and reflecting technological advances in direct injection, cleaning, and automation.

Critical inclusions are:

• Protocols for checking leaks, pump functionality, system agitation, tank safety features, and sophisticated pressure regulation
• Explicit directions for the maintenance and validation of autonomous and semi-autonomous application units, reflecting emergent technology deployments
• Criteria for uniform distribution, nozzle performance, pressure drops, and cleaning systems, supporting sustainable pesticide use

Applicability spans:

• Operators and managers in protected cropping systems (e.g., horticultural greenhouses)
• Equipment service organizations and regulatory inspectors
• R&D, QA, and engineering professionals in the agricultural machinery sector

Enhanced focus is placed on harmonization with other parts of the ISO 16122 suite, ensuring operators of fixed or semi-mobile equipment adopt comparable best-practice standards as field-based units, thus facilitating streamlined regulatory reporting and international trade.

Key highlights:

• Introduces direct injection system requirements and validation methods
• Expands scope to include modern automation and control devices
• Facilitates compliance with sustainability mandates and evolving inspection regimes

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 16122-4:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Across all three standards published in October 2025, several key themes and industry movements can be observed:

• Integrated Environmental Stewardship: The standards reinforce the EU’s sustainable pesticide use directive, making environmental risk reduction an explicit inspection objective for all sprayer types.
• Holistic Equipment Lifecycle Management: Move beyond the certification of new equipment to ensure long-term compliance and continuous improvement in field performance.
• Expanded Scope and Flexibility: With coverage for horizontal boom, bush & tree crop, and fixed/semi-mobile systems, stakeholders across the full spectrum of agricultural production are now addressed.
• Technological Advances and Automation: Updates reflect the rapid evolution of sprayer components, from precision metering and control systems to autonomous application units.
• Documentation and Traceability Requirements: Greater emphasis on structured record-keeping and inspector competence aligns machinery operation with traceability demands for both safety and market access.

The standards provide practical frameworks to navigate emerging regulatory scrutiny, operational efficiency targets, and environmental accountability—trends driving much of the current transformation in agricultural production.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations affected by these standards, proactive implementation is essential both for regulatory compliance and competitive advantage. Recommended steps include:

1. Gap Analysis: Review existing equipment and inspection protocols against the new requirements for your specific sprayer type(s).
2. Inspector Competence: Ensure inspection bodies and in-house personnel are trained and qualified per ISO 16122-1’s general requirements.
3. Documentation Updates: Revise inspection forms, checklists, and maintenance logs to incorporate all clause updates and new technical tests.
4. Technology Upgrades: Where legacy equipment doesn’t meet requirements (e.g., pressure regulation, cleaning systems), plan upgrades or replacements.
5. Audit Scheduling: Schedule inspections with appropriate frequency, considering both legal mandates and voluntary quality assurance.

Timeline considerations:

• While each standard is effective from its publication date, national transposition and enforcement periods may impact deadlines for compliance reviews.
• Regulatory authorities and buyers may require conformance evidence, making early adoption and documentation advantageous.

Resources for support:

• Detailed guidance can be found in the normative references of each standard and from training bodies accredited for agricultural machinery inspection.
• The iTeh Standards platform provides authoritative copies of all three standards, facilitating workflow integration for quality managers and compliance teams.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from October 2025

The suite of sprayer inspection standards released in October 2025 represents one of the most comprehensive upgrades in plant protection machinery regulation in recent years. By aligning equipment inspection criteria with environmental, performance, and operator health goals, practitioners at all levels—from farm managers to compliance officers—can better safeguard crops, the environment, and organizational reputation.

Top recommendations for sector professionals:

• Review and align your internal inspection practices with the new ISO 16122 series requirements.
• Engage with accredited inspectors or invest in team training to ensure compliance competence.
• Take advantage of the structured documentation and harmonised approaches these standards bring, which can support market access and regulatory audits.

Staying current with international standards is more than a compliance exercise—it’s a pathway to operational excellence, sustainable production, and a future-proofed Agriculture enterprise. Explore the linked resources to ensure your practices remain at the industry forefront.