Chemical Technology Standards Summary – October 2025 Overview

Looking back at October 2025, the Chemical Technology sector witnessed the publication of two significant standards—each addressing distinct yet critical domains within chemical process industries. This retrospective overview distills the main features and implications of these standards, offering insights for professionals across safety, quality assurance, and technical management roles. Whether you focus on explosives in civil uses or analytical methods in surfactant manufacturing, staying updated with these documents is vital for regulatory compliance and operational excellence.

As part of our ongoing series, this fifth installment covers EN 13938-2:2025 and ISO 4323:2025, analyzing their scope, key requirements, and industry impact. This summary is intended to help you reflect on October’s major standardization developments, and to identify steps for harmonizing your operations with the most current technical expectations.

Monthly Overview: October 2025

October 2025 saw a focused but important set of developments in the standardization of Chemical Technology processes. The month’s publications reflected:

• Increased emphasis on product and process safety, especially regarding energetic materials.
• Ongoing alignment with international regulatory requirements and precision testing protocols.
• Further technical refinement in analytical methods underpinning product quality and consistency.

These publications compared somewhat to prior months in that, rather than a wide-spanning array, October’s standards were highly technical, directly supporting risk mitigation and laboratory rigor. Against a backdrop of rising safety oversight and calls for harmonized test procedures, these documents signal that regulators and industry leaders are prioritizing standards that close gaps in operational safety and analytical method comparability.

For professionals in explosives, propellants, and surfactant manufacturing, October’s new standards offer actionable updates to enhance compliance, safety, and quality control.

Standards Published This Month

EN 13938-2:2025 – Verification of Electrostatic Discharge Resistance of Solid Gun Propellants

Explosives for civil uses – Propellants and rocket propellants – Part 2: Verification of the resistance to electrostatic discharge of solid gun propellants

This European Standard, prepared by CEN/TC 321, updates a critical test for determining whether solid gun propellants can withstand electrostatic discharges—a major safety risk in manufacturing, handling, and use. Applicable to propellants with at least 5% by mass of particles less than or equal to 1 mm in size, the standard explicitly excludes black powder and solid rocket propellants, clarifying and focusing its scope since the 2004 edition.

The document outlines:

• The test cell setup, using copper discs and a standard particle sieving process.
• The required electrostatic discharge generator parameters, simulating a discharge at 0.5 J energy—reflecting typical accidental discharge scenarios in industrial environments.
• Sample preparation, procedure, and result interpretation—including precise instructions for calibration, environmental controls, and result reporting.

Industries affected include:

• Manufacturers of solid propellants for civil applications (e.g., mining, pyrotechnics, defense supply chains).
• Testing laboratories responsible for safety validation of energetic materials.
• Regulatory compliance teams managing conformance to Directive 2014/28/EU for explosives.

As a revision, the 2025 edition brings forward:

• Updated scope and terminology, explicitly limiting the test’s application.
• New and revised technical clauses (notably those covering preparation, equipment, and procedure) for greater clarity and reproducibility.
• Removal of requirement for EN ISO/IEC 17025 conformity in test reporting, streamlining documentation needs.

Key highlights:

• Applies only to solid gun propellants with >5% of ≤1 mm particles.
• Verifies resistance to a 0.5 J electrostatic discharge; not a general sensitivity determination.
• Aligns with EU regulatory requirements for safe explosives handling and placement on the market.

Access the full standard:View EN 13938-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 4323:2025 – Chloride Content in Soaps by Potentiometric Method

Surface active agents – Soaps – Determination of chloride content by potentiometric method

The third edition of ISO 4323, developed by ISO/TC 91, modernizes the benchmark method for measuring chloride in soaps—extending its application to compounded products and those containing other surface-active agents. The scope applies to mass fractions of 0.01% to 1.0% chloride, making it relevant for diverse soap types and formulations, from personal care to industrial detergents.

Key features include:

• A detailed potentiometric titration method—dissolving samples, acidification, and titration using a silver ion selective electrode.
• Explicit requirements for sampling, solution preparation, and apparatus calibration per internationally accepted protocols.
• Enhanced clarity on precision, including repeatability and reproducibility specifications, better supporting quality laboratories in validation and accreditation.

Target users are:

• Soap manufacturers, especially those supplying regulated or export markets.
• Analytical laboratories engaged in batch quality control or regulatory testing.
• Quality managers and procurement teams seeking robust verification of specifications.

This edition introduces:

• Revised normative references; alignment with updated glassware, sampling, and laboratory water standards.
• Expanded instructions on result calculation and reporting, consistently referencing international terminology.
• New precision guidelines (repeatability, reproducibility) to underpin method validation in quality assurance environments.

Key highlights:

• Precise method for chloride (as NaCl) determination in soaps and compounded surfactants.
• Applicability to a wide range of compositions, including products with added surfactants.
• Supports international trade, regulatory labeling, and product quality claims.

Access the full standard:View ISO 4323:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Despite their technical divergence, October’s Chemical Technology standards share several telling characteristics:

• Focus on High-Impact, High-Risk Segments: Whether preventing accidental ignition in energetic materials or ensuring surfactant quality, both standards address activities with significant safety or compliance consequences.
• Methodological Rigor: Each document features detailed apparatus, environmental, and reporting guidelines, reducing ambiguity in laboratory and production settings.
• Explicit Exclusions and Scoping: By carefully defining scope (e.g., EN 13938-2:2025’s particle size/mass fraction limits, ISO 4323:2025’s chloride content range), these standards help laboratories and managers quickly determine applicability.
• Alignment with International Regulations and Best Practices: Both are referenced or intended for use in regulatory frameworks—EN 13938-2:2025 underpins EU explosives regulations, while ISO 4323:2025 supports global market access and conformity assessments in detergents and soaps.
• Emphasis on Test Result Documentation: New guidance in both standards clarifies what must be documented—streamlining compliance and helping organizations prepare for audits or regulatory review.

These reflect a broader industry trend: precision in standardization to eliminate interpretive risk and improve the reproducibility, safety, and defensibility of chemical technology operations.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations affected by these publications, several action items and best practices emerge:

1. Assess Applicability Immediately:

   • For EN 13938-2:2025, review the particle size/mass fraction distribution in your propellant products to determine if electrostatic resistance testing is mandatory.
   • For ISO 4323:2025, check if your quality assurance processes for soaps already incorporate potentiometric chloride determination; if not, plan an update.

2. Update and Validate Laboratory Procedures:

   • Ensure all equipment (ESD generators, potentiometric titration systems, precision glassware) conforms to the updated specifications.
   • Retrain technical staff on procedural steps, especially changes in calibration, sample preparation, and data reporting.

3. Document Compliance Thoroughly:

   • Prepare updated test reports as specified, taking advantage of streamlined documentation requirements where applicable.
   • Where required (e.g., for explosives), align reporting with regulatory documentation and ensure record-keeping supports EU market surveillance.

4. Plan for Audits and Regulatory Inspections:

   • Especially for explosives manufacturers, the new ESD resistance procedures should be included in compliance audits.
   • For soap and surfactant producers, expect greater scrutiny on chloride content accuracy—document method validations and precision studies.

5. Set a Realistic Timeline:

   • With European adoptions expected by April 2026 for EN 13938-2:2025, plan for transition by reviewing and updating test protocols in Q4 2025 to Q1 2026.
   • For ISO-based laboratories, transition plans should factor in laboratory accreditation timelines if ISO 4323:2025 compliance is required by customers or regulations.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from October 2025

October 2025’s Chemical Technology standards underline a transition toward higher assurance in both hazardous material safety and surfactant product quality. EN 13938-2:2025 provides a refined, targeted approach to qualifying solid gun propellants for electrostatic discharge resistance, responding to modern safety expectations and regulatory frameworks. ISO 4323:2025 sets an accessible, validated method for chloride analysis in soaps, reflecting global best practices and supporting quality claims in a competitive market.

Professionals in explosives, soaps, and laboratory management should prioritize:

• Reviewing and updating testing protocols to reflect new requirements,
• Aligning documentation and reporting with the revised standards,
• Engaging with technical training and audit preparations ahead of regulatory deadlines.

Staying current with these standards is crucial not only for compliance but also for maintaining market access, reducing risk, and demonstrating technical leadership.

To explore these and other Chemical Technology standards further, visit iTeh Standards and ensure your operations remain at the forefront of regulatory and technical excellence.