Chemical Technology Standards Summary – October 2025 Overview

Looking back at October 2025, the Chemical Technology sector experienced a month marked by significant advancements in the standardization of explosives and propellants for civil uses. Five pivotal standards, each addressing different aspects of detonator and propellant safety, verification, and performance, were published. These documents reflect ongoing industry efforts to strengthen operational safety, align testing protocols, and improve the integrity of explosive materials used in civil engineering, mining, construction, and pyrotechnics. For professionals aiming to remain compliant and maintain leading-edge practices, this overview delivers essential insights into the latest requirements and their practical implications.

Monthly Overview: October 2025

October 2025 saw a wave of updates and new publications within the Chemical Technology landscape—particularly within the subcategory of explosives for civil use. This month’s standards activity was notable not only for both the breadth and technical detail involved, but also for the strategic focus on harmonized safety and verification measures, reflecting industry-wide priorities to meet evolving regulatory expectations and operational realities.

The five standards released in October 2025 primarily relate to the EN 13763 and EN 13938 series, which underpin explosive safety for civil uses. These documents advance both legacy and innovative electronic systems, signaling a clear trend towards more rigorous, harmonized, and test-driven approaches in product lifecycle management. Compared to past publication cycles, October’s collection demonstrates a synchronized update of the critical standards that govern physical robustness, electronic reliability, and hazard verification, demonstrating a holistic approach to safety across the sector.

This suite of standards not only highlights critical technical progressions but also showcases how the regulatory landscape is dynamically adapting to address the full spectrum of operational scenarios and the increasing complexity of modern initiation systems and propellants. The publication month thus stands out as a reference point for compliance updates and industry best practices.

Standards Published This Month

EN 13763-27:2025 – Test Methods for Electronic Initiation Systems

Explosives for civil uses – Detonators and detonating cord relays – Part 27: Test methods for electronic initiation systems

EN 13763-27:2025 delivers a comprehensive framework for testing the reliability and safety of electronic initiation systems in civil explosives applications. Covering the spectrum from complete initiation assemblies to individual components such as wireless detonators and control units, the standard defines procedures for verifying system completeness, fire command uniqueness, latency, error detection, electromagnetic compatibility, and delay accuracy.

Manufacturers, operators, and quality managers in civil explosives, mining, and construction are expected to apply these rigorous test methods to ensure operational reliability and mitigate risks of unintended or failed detonations. By introducing detailed procedures for electromagnetic compatibility testing—including resistance to surges, electromagnetic disturbances, and voltage dips—the standard addresses the distinct challenges of modern, increasingly electronic-heavy firing systems.

Noteworthy is the focus on not only component isolation but end-to-end system integrity, reflecting both technological advancement and the increasing demand for interconnected, programmable firing solutions.

Key highlights:

• Covers complete electronic initiation systems, from firing units to testing devices
• Comprehensive electromagnetic compatibility testing protocols
• Verification of functional features: delay accuracy and fire command uniqueness

Access the full standard:View EN 13763-27:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13763-3:2025 – Verification of Insensitiveness to Impact

Explosives for civil uses – Detonators and detonating cord relays – Part 3: Verification of insensitiveness to impact of detonators, surface connectors, detonating cord relays and shock tubes

This revised edition supersedes EN 13763-3:2002, extending and updating the established verification methods to include semi-finished and electronic detonators. EN 13763-3:2025 standardizes two primary test methods, relying on the drop hammer and impact testing apparatus to assess whether detonators or related components resist initiation upon physical impact. Applicable across a broad swath of initiators—including electric, non-electric, plain, and surface connectors—the standard ensures that units can be safely transported and handled without risk of inadvertent activation.

Organizations manufacturing, transporting, or deploying civilian explosives must align with these requirements to satisfy both EU market supervision and intrinsic operational safety. Of particular interest are the expanded test piece preparations and the modernized procedure guidelines, which mean test validity and reproducibility are significantly improved compared to previous iterations. This is essential for regulatory compliance, particularly under updated EU directives on civil-use explosives.

Key highlights:

• Applies to a wide range of detonators and connectors, including new types
• Two robust test methods for impact insensitiveness
• Updated procedures and expanded sample requirements for enhanced reliability

Access the full standard:View EN 13763-3:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13763-4:2025 – Verification of Resistance to Abrasion

Explosives for civil uses – Detonators and detonating cord relays – Part 4: Verification of resistance to abrasion of leading wires and shock tubes

Superseding the 2003 edition, EN 13763-4:2025 refines the methods used to test the abrasion resistance of wires and shock tubes—critical for ensuring that initiation systems maintain functionality in rugged environments. The standard explicitly addresses leading wires of both electric and electronic detonators, as well as shock tubes of non-electric and electronic detonators, but excludes detonating cord relays and full electronic initiation assemblies. The testing involves abrasive strip apparatus and immersion protocols to mimic field wear and mechanical stress.

This rigorous methodology aids manufacturers and end-users in confirming product durability before deployment. For quality managers and compliance teams, the expanded procedures, revised sample sizes, and clarified apparatus specifications support more consistent and meaningful results, contributing to safer in-field handling and reduced risk of malfunction due to physical degradation.

Key highlights:

• Expanded scope and methodology for abrasion resistance testing
• Annexes detailing grinding steel and monitoring abrasive strip performance
• Designed for operational reliability in harsh environments

Access the full standard:View EN 13763-4:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13763-9:2025 – Verification of Resistance to Bending

Explosives for civil uses – Detonators and detonating cord relays – Part 9: Verification of resistance to bending of detonators

EN 13763-9:2025 focuses on a prevalent source of initiator failure: bending stress during handling, transport, and deployment in boreholes. The updated standard prescribes precise methodology for applying and measuring bending force at both the detonator base and top, incorporating both functional and destructive assessments.

Applicable to electric, non-electric, plain, semi-finished, and electronic detonators, this standard excludes detonating cord relays and surface connectors. The procedural updates facilitate better simulation of real-world mechanical stresses, helping to distinguish robustly engineered products from those susceptible to deformation-induced malfunctions—a key concern for safety and operational efficiency.

End users, notably in mining and infrastructure projects, can now better ensure compliance, reduce operational risks, and meet stringent EU regulatory requirements with confidence, bolstered by improved reporting and sample conditioning protocols.

Key highlights:

• Applies to a broader set of detonators, including electronic and semi-finished
• Dual test types for both ends of the detonator
• Functional testing ensures real-world handling resilience

Access the full standard:View EN 13763-9:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13938-1:2025 – Requirements for Propellants and Rocket Propellants

Explosives for civil uses – Propellants and rocket propellants – Part 1: Requirements

This keystone standard establishes the baseline requirements for solid gun propellants, rocket propellants, powder cakes, and black powders (for pyrotechnics and safety fuses). The 2025 revision aligns and clarifies the requirements, specifying both the essential physical properties (burning rate, density, resistance to friction/impact/electrostatic discharge, and thermal stability) and mandatory information on temperature of use, storage, and means of ignition.

Significantly, EN 13938-1:2025 cross-references the latest verification standards, offering a harmonized approach to testing and market access. It does not encompass black powder used for blasting (which is covered by a separate standard), focusing on safety in propellant storage, transport, and utilization. This comprehensive approach supports product development teams, safety officers, and technical inspectors in ensuring products are fit-for-purpose and in regulatory alignment across multiple use-cases.

Key highlights:

• Unified requirements for a broad portfolio of civil-use propellants
• Integrated referencing to new verification methods and EU compliance
• Greater clarity on product information disclosure for manufacturers

Access the full standard:View EN 13938-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

October 2025’s cohort of standards showcased several unifying trends across the Chemical Technology – Explosives and Pyrotechnics segment:

• Heightened focus on electronic system integrity: Notably, EN 13763-27:2025 addresses the growing complexity of electronic initiation systems, reflecting both increasing market adoption and evolving technical threats (e.g. electromagnetic interference).
• Expansion and harmonization of test methodologies: All four EN 13763 updates featured revised procedures, broader applicability, and increased granularity in sample prep and apparatus configuration, signaling a push toward more reproducible and resilient quality control processes.
• Reinforced verification for physical robustness: Abrasion and bending resistance (Parts 4 and 9) now command the same procedural rigor previously reserved for initiation reliability and safety—responding to stakeholder demand for durable, end-to-end solutions.
• Integrated, cross-referenced compliance: The updated propellant standard (EN 13938-1:2025) is tightly coupled with new verification methodologies, increasing transparency and offering a pathway for streamlined product approvals in the EU market.
• Comprehensive lifecycle considerations: From initial design to testing, deployment, and market supervision, the standards reflect a holistic approach that recognizes the multifaceted risks—and compliance needs—of civil-use explosives and propellants.

By embracing these trends, the standards are setting the stage for improved operational safety, reduced product failure rates, and more predictable market access.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For industry professionals whose organizations are touched by these standards, several practical steps and recommendations emerge from the October 2025 updates:

• Immediate review of existing testing processes: Quality and compliance teams should cross-reference current laboratory protocols against updated test apparatus, sample size, and reporting requirements found in each new standard.
• Supply chain alignment: Procurement specialists must ensure suppliers and subcontractors adhere to the new standards—particularly for electronic initiation systems and propellant-related products—requiring updated certifications or declarations of conformity.
• Training and technical support: Onboarding and professional development programs should quickly incorporate the latest procedures for technicians, product developers, and laboratory staff to avoid knowledge gaps and testing non-conformities.
• Phased implementation: While most standards are mandatory upon national adoption (by April 2026 at the latest), organizations may need to establish internal timelines for retrofitting equipment or updating procedural documents to ensure continuous compliance.
• Stakeholder engagement: Open communications with certification bodies and regulatory agencies is advisable to smooth transition, especially for products in ongoing development or deployed in multiple regions.
• Resource allocation: Investments may be necessary to acquire new test equipment (especially for EMC testing in EN 13763-27 or advanced abrasion rigs in EN 13763-4) and to update internal documentation to mirror the revised requirements.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from October 2025

Reflecting on the October 2025 standards activity in Chemical Technology, it is clear that the landscape for civil-use explosives and propellants continues to become both more rigorous and more harmonized. The five standards released this month represent advancements in both the reliability of electronic controls and the robustness of mechanical components, while simultaneously streamlining compliance across the testing, procurement, and deployment lifecycle.

For professionals in the sector, staying current with these changes is not just a matter of legal compliance—it is an operational imperative, underpinning safety, project reliability, and market competitiveness. Organizations that proactively adopt the methodologies and requirements set out in these standards will not only minimize risk but also position themselves as leaders in a rapidly evolving field.

Dive deeper into the cited documents via the iTeh Standards platform to access the full technical details and leverage these robust frameworks in your day-to-day compliance and quality assurance workflows.