Energy and Heat Standards: Monthly Overview for September 2025 (Part 1)

Looking back at September 2025, the Energy and Heat sector saw the publication of five pivotal international standards, reflecting the industry’s transition towards increased performance, safety, and quality within a decarbonizing global energy landscape. Spanning fuel cell technologies, refrigeration system reliability, nuclear facility safety, and photovoltaic quality assurance, these standards collectively underscore ongoing efforts to harmonize best practices, verify performance, and mitigate risk across diverse applications. For energy professionals, process engineers, quality and compliance managers, and those involved in supply, procurement, or innovation, this comprehensive overview distills key developments and actionable insights from the month’s standardization activity—helping organizations remain competitive, compliant, and forward-looking.

Monthly Overview: September 2025

September 2025 was a significant month for Energy and Heat, marked by a focus on operational testing, component reliability, and manufacturing excellence. The standards released underscore several sectoral trends:

• Performance Validation: Major updates to test methods for both large-scale and small stationary fuel cell power systems reflect ongoing global investment in hydrogen and clean fuel technologies.
• Safety & Compliance: Enhanced guidance on alarm systems for nuclear criticality and updated requirements for flexible components in refrigeration/heat pump circuits signify a maturing approach to operational safety and reliability.
• Quality Management: Rigorous manufacturing quality requirements for terrestrial photovoltaic modules point to an industry-wide push for longevity and consistent performance in solar applications.

Compared to previous months, September 2025’s standards cluster around system performance, lifecycle quality, and risk mitigation—indicating a synchronized response to industry pressures for cleaner, more reliable, and safer energy infrastructures. Collectively, these publications signal increased regulatory scrutiny and a drive for harmonized approaches across global supply chains.

Standards Published This Month

IEC 62282-3-200:2025 - Stationary Fuel Cell Power Systems - Performance Test Methods

Fuel cell technologies – Part 3-200: Stationary fuel cell power systems – Performance test methods

The third edition of IEC 62282-3-200 provides a comprehensive framework for testing the performance of all stationary fuel cell technologies under both steady-state and transient conditions. Applicable to a broad spectrum of designs—from alkaline fuel cells (AFC) to solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC)—it delineates detailed procedures for evaluating:

• Power output under various operational scenarios,
• Electrical and heat recovery efficiencies in controlled conditions, and
• Environmental characteristics, such as exhaust emissions and noise.

This revision brings extensive updates, including clarified symbol definitions, improved test diagrams, revised measurement methods, and streamlined efficiency calculations. The document supports ongoing efforts for market validation, stakeholder confidence, and international interoperability.

Relevant for:

• Fuel cell manufacturers
• Utilities and distributed energy operators
• Equipment testing laboratories
• Engineering consultants

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive update to symbol usage and efficiency test methods
• Refined procedures for start-up/shutdown testing and emissions measurement
• Covers all major stationary fuel cell technologies for grid or industrial use

Access the full standard:View IEC 62282-3-200:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62282-3-201:2025 - Performance Test Methods for Small Stationary Fuel Cell Power Systems

Fuel cell technologies – Part 3-201: Stationary fuel cell power systems – Performance test methods for small fuel cell power systems

As the market for small distributed fuel cell solutions expands, IEC 62282-3-201:2025 addresses a critical need for credible, repeatable laboratory test methods for systems below 10 kW electric output. The standard prescribes:

• Type tests for electrical, thermal, and environmental performance,
• Validated methodologies for systems using diverse fuels (natural gas, hydrogen, propane, methanol, etc.),
• Laboratory-based test protocols, excluding routine in-service tests.

The 2025 edition introduces significant enhancements, including revised terminology, diagrams, uncertainty analysis, updated measurement protocols, and restructured heat recovery and fuel consumption assessments. The document provides clarity for OEMs and labs seeking alignment with regulatory, market, or customer requirements—especially where combined heat and power (CHP) functionality is desired.

Relevant for:

• Small stationary fuel cell designers and manufacturers
• Third-party testing organizations
• Installers of small-scale CHP and microgrid solutions

Key highlights:

• Updated uncertainty and test condition guidance for improved repeatability
• Inclusive of all relevant fuels, maximizing scope
• Enhanced measurement and reporting details for transparency

Access the full standard:View IEC 62282-3-201:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 13971:2025 - Refrigeration Systems and Heat Pumps – Flexible Pipe Elements, Vibration Isolators, Expansion Joints, and Non-Metallic Tubes

Refrigeration systems and heat pumps – Flexible pipe elements, vibration isolators, expansion joints and non-metallic tubes – Requirements and classification (ISO 13971:2012)

EN ISO 13971:2025 stipulates detailed requirements for the design, installation, and performance of both metallic and non-metallic flexible components within the refrigerant circuits of refrigeration and heat pump systems. Recognizing flexible elements as potential failure or leakage points, this standard:

• Sets qualification and classification parameters for flexible pipes, tubes, vibration isolators, and expansion joints,
• Covers material selection, jointing, tightness/permeability (especially for plastics),
• Provides criteria for installation to mitigate fatigue and stress corrosion cracking.

It does not apply to components subjected only occasionally to stresses beyond the elastic limit (such as during maintenance). By standardizing component assessment and installation across Europe, the document supports maintenance of system integrity and operational safety.

Relevant for:

• HVAC and refrigeration system installers
• OEMs for refrigeration and heat pump equipment
• Facility maintenance managers
• Quality and safety auditors

Key highlights:

• Harmonizes requirements for flexible and non-metallic piping elements
• Focuses on critical contributions to leak mitigation and vibration minimization
• Enhances reliability of refrigeration and heat pump circuits

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 13971:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 7753:2025 - Nuclear Criticality Safety – Use of Criticality Accident Alarm Systems for Operations

Nuclear criticality safety – Use of criticality accident alarm systems for operations (ISO 7753:2023)

Nuclear facilities processing fissile material require robust procedures to detect and respond to accidental criticality events. EN ISO 7753:2025 delivers updated requirements and guidance for the use of Criticality Accident Alarm Systems (CAAS), addressing:

• Scope, activation criteria, and functions of CAAS in operational settings (excluding design specifications, which are covered elsewhere),
• Placement, redundancy, and reliability of alarm systems for gamma and neutron detection,
• Integration with emergency preparedness and operational management systems.

This 2025 update clarifies distinctions between CAAS user requirements and design standards, revises detection criteria, consolidates principles for detector placement, and strengthens the link to overall nuclear safety management. It is aimed at those responsible for facility operations, compliance, and radiological safety.

Relevant for:

• Nuclear facility operators and safety officers
• Radiological protection specialists
• Emergency response planners
• Regulatory bodies in the nuclear sector

Key highlights:

• Defines operational requirements for CAAS—distinct from design considerations
• Covers gamma and neutron rate-sensing and integrating systems
• Integrates with broader nuclear criticality safety frameworks

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 7753:2025 on iTeh Standards

prEN IEC 62941:2024 - Terrestrial Photovoltaic (PV) Modules – Quality System for PV Module Manufacturing

Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Quality system for PV module manufacturing

prEN IEC 62941:2024 advances quality assurance in the solar sector, specifying requirements for manufacturing systems that support long-term module performance and reliability. Designed for PV modules certified to the IEC 61215, IEC 62108, and IEC 61730 families, this draft standard:

• Frames best practices for design, process management, and material selection,
• Integrates with ISO 9001-based quality management systems,
• Establishes traceability, control plans, and validation protocols for the entire product lifecycle.

By codifying expectations for product consistency and manufacturing process control, the standard fosters increased confidence among customers, investors, and regulatory authorities—helping prevent warranty claims, early failures, and performance attrition across global solar deployments.

Relevant for:

• PV module manufacturers
• Solar project developers and EPCs (Engineering, Procurement, Construction)
• Auditors and certifying bodies
• PV supply chain partners seeking assurance on product quality

Key highlights:

• Builds on ISO 9001 principles with PV-specific extensions
• Covers controls for production, validation, identification, traceability, and customer property
• Promotes consistent, reliable, and certifiable module output

Access the full standard:View prEN IEC 62941:2024 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Performance Testing as a Foundation: September 2025’s standards not only raise the bar for energy system validation but reflect an ethos that quality, safety, and environmental outcomes depend on rigorous, harmonized performance test methodologies. This is especially clear in the paired releases of IEC 62282-3-200 and IEC 62282-3-201, which together cover both large and small stationary fuel cells—supporting a full spectrum of scales and energy transition needs.

Component and System Reliability: Attention to detail in component specification, as seen in EN ISO 13971, is echoed in the quality system focus of prEN IEC 62941. These reinforce the importance of durability, real-world functionality, and proactive control measures in energy system design—whether for low-carbon heating, cooling, or renewable electricity generation.

Safety Culture: Nuclear energy standards (EN ISO 7753:2025) emphasize ‘defense in depth’ by channeling international best practice into operational guidance, reinforcing regulatory requirements and industry self-improvement in environments where risk mitigation is paramount.

Global Harmonization and Supply Chain Confidence: Adoption of these standards enables alignment with global best practices and facilitates cross-border supply, installation, and certification—providing competitive advantage and risk assurance for stakeholders at every stage, from manufacturing to asset ownership.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Immediate Actions:

1. Gap Assessments: Organizations should review current testing, documentation, and QA protocols against the revised requirements in each relevant standard—particularly if involved in fuel cell, refrigeration, nuclear, or PV manufacturing/supply.
2. Training & Awareness: Ensure relevant staff understand new procedures (e.g., updated fuel cell performance test methods, QA processes for PV modules, alarm system management for nuclear applications).
3. Documentation Updates: Revise internal quality management system documents, technical manuals, and operator guidance to reflect new test definitions, control plans, and reporting requirements.

Priorities by Sector:

• Fuel Cell Industry: Align existing facilities and product portfolios with new efficiency, emissions, and test reporting procedures.
• Refrigeration and Heat Pumps: Re-validate component suppliers and system documentation in light of updated flexible piping and permeability requirements.
• Nuclear Operators: Review alarm system configuration and maintenance practices for compliance with revised user-side CAAS requirements.
• Solar (PV) Manufacturing: Conduct gap analysis of QA processes, control plans, and traceability procedures against prEN IEC 62941—all ahead of formal adoption.

Implementation Timeline:

• Most organizations should plan for a phased transition period, taking into account national regulatory adoption schedules (for CEN, IEC, and draft standards) and any sector-specific compliance deadlines.
• Collaboration with certification bodies and third-party auditors is strongly recommended to ensure correct, timely implementation.

Resources:

• Full text of each standard, accessible via iTeh Standards, offers comprehensive guidance, illustrative diagrams, calculation worksheets, and appendices.
• International technical committees (IEC, CEN, CLC) and national standards bodies can provide interpretation and support as needed.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from September 2025

Looking back, September 2025 stands out for its breadth of technically robust, internationally harmonized Energy and Heat standards. The month’s releases reinforced core sectoral priorities:

• Performance validation and repeatable testing across stationary fuel cell systems (both large and small)
• Component and system reliability for refrigeration and heat pump circuits
• Operational safety for facilities handling nuclear materials
• Manufacturing excellence and traceability in photovoltaic solar technology

For energy professionals, keeping pace with the evolving standards landscape is more than a compliance exercise—it is a strategic imperative to safeguard safety, ensure reliability, and capitalize on industry innovation. Reviewing and applying these standards will help organizations:

• Mitigate operational and supply chain risk
• Enhance customer and regulator confidence
• Build resilient, future-ready energy and heat transfer solutions

Explore these standards in detail on iTeh Standards to ensure your operations, products, and teams are aligned with the latest in Energy and Heat excellence.