Chemical Technology Standards Summary – October 2025 (Part 3 of 5)

Looking back at October 2025, the Chemical Technology sector experienced a significant update in the field of civil explosives, with five interrelated European standards addressing the testing and verification of detonators and detonating cord relays. This part (3 of 5) in our monthly retrospective series analyzes the technical impact of these publications, identifies their interplay, and offers guidance for professionals aiming to bolster safety, compliance, and product performance. By reviewing the evolution, structure, and significance of these standards, industry stakeholders can stay abreast of the complexities of modern explosives technology—a critical requirement given the evolving regulatory and operational environment.

Monthly Overview: October 2025

October 2025 represented a moment of harmonization and technical reinforcement in the Chemical Technology sector, specifically regarding civil-use explosives. The month’s output was characterized by a cluster of standards—each exploring distinct yet interconnected aspects of detonator safety, reliability, and performance: electrostatic discharge (ESD) resistance, initiating device equivalence, delay accuracy, no-fire current, and firing impulse verification.

In comparison to typical standards publication cycles, this surge in updates for the EN 13763 series underscores a European momentum toward more rigorous control of pyrotechnic devices. This suite not only updates previous methodologies but introduces substantial improvements in statistical sampling, apparatus requirements, and compatibility with EU directives. The holistic approach observed in these publications—covering both electric and electronic detonators—signals a maturation of best practices for manufacturing, quality assurance, field usage, and regulatory oversight of explosives for civil applications.

Standards Published This Month

EN 13763-13:2025 – Verification of the Resistance to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) of Electric and Electronic Detonators

Explosives for civil uses – Detonators and detonating cord relays – Part 13: Verification of the resistance to electrostatic discharge (ESD) of electric and electronic detonators

This standard establishes the procedures for testing electric and electronic detonators used in civil explosives for their resistance to electrostatic discharge—a critical consideration given that static electricity can inadvertently initiate detonators or compromise their functionality. EN 13763-13:2025 supersedes its 2004 predecessor, significantly extending its applicability to modern electronic designs and updating test apparatus and procedures for robustness and repeatability.

Key requirements include:

• Sample preparation specifications (e.g., 50 test pieces per configuration)
• ESD testing in pin-to-pin and pins-to-case configurations
• Separate methodologies for electric and electronic detonators, reflecting differing sensitivities
• Detailed apparatus parameters: selectable capacitance, resistance, and voltage to simulate real-world scenarios
• Updated reporting that no longer requires EN ISO/IEC 17025 conformity

This revision fits into a larger regulatory context, aligning with Directive 2014/28/EU on civil explosives and introducing harmonization across EU member states. Any organization manufacturing, supplying, or handling detonators or related devices must comply with this standard to demonstrate due diligence in risk mitigation and product reliability.

Key highlights:

• Inclusion of electronic detonators for the first time
• Revised and expanded apparatus and procedure sections
• Tighter tolerance values for greater accuracy

Access the full standard:View EN 13763-13:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13763-15:2025 – Verification of Equivalent Initiating Capability of Electric, Non-Electric and Electronic Detonators

Explosives for civil uses – Detonators and detonating cord relays – Part 15: Verification of equivalent initiating capability of electric, non-electric and electronic detonators

EN 13763-15:2025 introduces harmonized test methods to ascertain whether different types of detonators possess equivalent capability to initiate a blast reliably, under varying storage and operational conditions (including temperature extremes). The standard details underwater testing and the plate dent method, leveraging energy metrics such as shock and bubble energy for equivalence verification. It now encompasses electric, non-electric, and electronic detonators, offering a unified approach across technologies.

Key requirements and procedures:

• Underwater detonation tests to measure shock wave and gas bubble energy
• Plate dent testing across a temperature range to simulate field conditions
• Clear methodology for sample selection and statistical result processing
• Not applicable to detonators not designed for underwater use, surface connectors, or relays

Compliance is essential for detonator manufacturers, blast designers, and entities responsible for supply chain integrity. By standardizing equivalence, the industry mitigates risks associated with mixed-use detonator environments or product substitution.

Key highlights:

• Expansion to cover all major detonator technologies
• Separate tests for temperature-dependent performance
• Output results that support regulatory compliance and harmonized product assessment

Access the full standard:View EN 13763-15:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13763-16:2025 – Verification of Delay Time Accuracy of Electric and Non-Electric Detonators, Surface Connectors and Detonating Cord Relays

Explosives for civil uses – Detonators and detonating cord relays – Part 16: Verification of delay time accuracy of electric and non-electric detonators, surface connectors and detonating cord relays

Timing precision is crucial for blast sequencing in civil applications. This standard details statistical procedures and apparatus specifications for accurately measuring the delay time of both electric and non-electric detonators, as well as surface connectors and cord relays that are part of a delay series. The inclusion of methodical outlier identification and standardized c-factor calculation ensures consistency in product performance and blast outcomes.

Key technical requirements:

• 20 test pieces per nominal delay time
• Conditioning and testing procedures for stable temperature
• Statistical outlier tests (Grubbs test)
• Step-by-step calculation methods for mean delay, standard deviation, and mean deviation from nominal times

Although this document does not extend to electronic initiation systems (covered separately in EN 13763-27:2025), it plays a pivotal role in synchronizing traditional detonator series and enhancing both safety and blast efficacy.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive harmonization of delay time test methods
• Clarification of outlier management and graphical result analysis
• Direct support for acceptance criteria in regulatory settings

Access the full standard:View EN 13763-16:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13763-17:2025 – Verification of the No-Fire Current of Electric Detonators

Explosives for civil uses – Detonators and detonating cord relays – Part 17: Verification of the no-fire current of electric detonators

EN 13763-17:2025 specifies a statistical approach for determining the maximum electrical current that an electric detonator can safely withstand without risk of unintentional initiation. The procedure incorporates both the Bruceton and Langlie test methods for robust sensitivity characterization, enabling clear classification under EU regulatory frameworks.

Scope and execution include:

• Not applicable to electronic, non-electric, or plain detonators
• Sample preparation: minimum 210 test pieces, conditioned to specific temperature and humidity
• Statistical analysis using the PROBIT method to derive a reliable no-fire current threshold
• Classification aligned with EN 13763-1:2025 table requirements

The standard is critical for designers, safety engineers, and manufacturers to ensure detonators meet defined safety limits, particularly when deployed near sources of stray currents or electromagnetic interference.

Key highlights:

• Shift to statistically rigorous, high-volume sample testing
• Integration of international safety methodologies
• Enhances supply chain trust and field reliability reports

Access the full standard:View EN 13763-17:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13763-19:2025 – Verification of All-Fire Impulse and No-Fire Impulse of Electric Detonators

Explosives for civil uses – Detonators and detonating cord relays – Part 19: Verification of all-fire impulse and no-fire impulse of electric detonators

This document specifies a rigorous protocol for determining both the minimum electrical impulse required to reliably initiate a detonator (all-fire impulse) and the maximum impulse level at which a detonator remains safe from inadvertent firing (no-fire impulse). Like EN 13763-17, this standard utilizes the PROBIT statistical approach and offers procedures compatible with both Bruceton and Langlie methods.

Technical specifics:

• Sample size: 210 test pieces, batch conditioned
• Testing covers a range of pulse durations and current levels
• Conclusive compliance requires demonstrable separation of all-fire and no-fire impulse values per EN 13763-1:2025
• Test report standardization for audit and regulatory review

For manufacturing, quality, and safety professionals, EN 13763-19:2025 ensures detonators meet strict criteria for operational dependability and safety under electrical stimulus, supporting both regulatory acceptance and real-world application confidence.

Key highlights:

• Statistical evaluation for firing and non-firing boundaries
• Updated apparatus and test sample specifications
• Links to EU explosives directives for market access

Access the full standard:View EN 13763-19:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

The October 2025 standards reveal several unifying themes and emerging trends reflecting the evolving landscape of civil-use explosives:

• Statistical Rigor and Quality Assurance: Each standard demonstrates a shift toward large-sample, statistically-validated methodologies, moving away from anecdotal or limited-sample tests to ensure product uniformity and compliance.
• Harmonization Across device Types: Updates address electric, non-electric, and electronic detonators, enabling a unified framework and limiting ambiguity when introducing new device types or suppliers.
• Emphasis on Environmental Condition Simulation: Temperature, humidity, and storage condition simulation appear repeatedly, anchoring device assessment in practical, real-world contexts.
• Alignment with European Directives: The standards’ integration with Directive 2014/28/EU and associated national adoptions signal a drive toward pan-European alignment—vital for both manufacturers and importers/exporters of explosives technology.
• Enhanced Reporting and Transparency: Looser requirements for conformity with specific management or laboratory standards (e.g., EN ISO/IEC 17025) are replaced by focused technical test reporting, helping organizations streamline internal audits and regulatory submissions.

In sum, October’s output is geared toward transparency, cross-border acceptance, and quantifiable risk mitigation for explosive device lifecycle management.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations manufacturing, distributing, or operating with civil-use detonators, implementation of these standards is non-negotiable for market access and operational safety. Consider these practical steps:

1. Gap Analysis: Review current internal procedures against the new standards to identify compliance gaps, focusing on apparatus, sample size, and statistical methodologies.
2. Laboratory Upgrading: Ensure test facilities are equipped to conduct the apparatus and statistical procedures outlined (e.g., ESD generators, high-volume conditioning chambers).
3. Personnel Training: Invest in upskilling laboratory and quality staff on statistical analysis (e.g., PROBIT, Bruceton, Langlie), as well as on the interpretation and reporting structures required by the standards.
4. Supplier Auditing: Require suppliers further along the value chain to demonstrate conformity via traceable test data and standardized reporting as defined in these publications.
5. Documentation Revision: Update internal specifications, procedures, and product documentation to reflect the revised criteria, reporting, and acceptance protocols.

Implementation timelines should consider standardization deadlines (e.g., April 2026 for national adoption), but organizations are strongly encouraged to begin transitioning processes immediately to avoid regulatory or supply chain disruptions.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from October 2025

The suite of EN 13763 standards published in October 2025 constitutes a foundational progression in the regulation and assurance of safety for civil-use explosives and detonators. Professionals in the Chemical Technology sector—including compliance officers, quality managers, engineers, and procurement specialists—should prioritize review and integration of these documents into both technical and operational practices. The collective emphasis on statistical verification, compatibility across device types, and harmonization with EU directives will drive improvements in field performance, reduce the potential for unintentional initiation, and simplify regulatory approval processes.

Staying current with these standards is not only a regulatory obligation but a competitive advantage, ensuring your organization meets the high bar of modern explosives management and regulatory expectation. For the complete technical content, analysis, and official text, explore the linked standards on iTeh Standards—the global platform committed to supporting industry professionals in a rapidly advancing landscape.