May 2025 Monthly Overview: Key Standards in Domestic and Commercial Equipment, Entertainment, and Sports

Looking back at May 2025, the Domestic and Commercial Equipment, Entertainment, and Sports sector witnessed significant standardization activity. Five key standards were published, reinforcing evolving themes of user safety, technological reliability, and equipment performance in both household and recreational contexts. This overview provides industry professionals, quality managers, compliance officers, engineers, and procurement specialists a comprehensive synthesis of these standards, underlying trends, and practical guidance for staying up to date. Whether your focus is product design, facility management, compliance, or procurement, understanding these developments is essential for maintaining market competitiveness and regulatory alignment.

Monthly Overview: May 2025

May 2025 emerged as a notably productive month for standards impacting Domestic and Commercial Equipment, Entertainment, and Sports. Two significant updates centered on electrical appliance safety—one targeting laundry equipment and another on powered oral care devices. Several standards honed in on user safety in recreational environments, including swimming pools and climbing facilities, alongside a comprehensive update for automated water valves servicing household and commercial water systems.

These publications highlight a pattern: the harmonization and strengthening of safety and performance requirements for increasingly technologically advanced and user-centric equipment. Compared to previous months, May 2025 saw a clear focus on comprehensive coverage of foundational safety aspects—both in the home (appliances, oral care tools) and in shared environments (pools, climbing gyms). For organizations navigating new compliance demands or those seeking to innovate responsibly, the standards published this period serve as a robust guidance framework.

Standards Published This Month

EN IEC 60335-2-4:2025 - Safety for Spin Extractors

Household and Similar Electrical Appliances – Safety – Part 2-4: Particular Requirements for Spin Extractors

This European Standard addresses the safety of stand-alone electric spin extractors and those incorporated within washing machines (with separate wash and spin containers) for household and similar use. Notably, it applies to appliances with up to 10 kg dry cloth capacity and covers both single-phase (max 250 V) and other appliances (max 480 V), with drum peripheral speeds not exceeding 50 m/s. The 2025 edition supersedes previous versions by aligning with recent revisions in the parent standard (IEC 60335-1), updating technical references, and extending requirements to battery-operated models.

Key requirements include:

• Enhanced protection against electrical and mechanical hazards, especially live parts and moving components
• Stringent endurance and abnormal operation tests
• Surface temperature limits for illuminated and heated parts
• Clear marking, user instructions, and software evaluation for safety-critical applications

Targeted at appliance manufacturers, testing laboratories, and importers, the standard ensures hazard mitigation in product design and lifecycle. Its requirements take precedence over more general appliance safety rules and directly impact certification, conformity assessment, and market access in the European context.

Key highlights:

• Latest alignment with IEC 60335-1:2020 and related normative updates
• Improved test criteria for live part accessibility and surface temperature
• Obligatory software and battery safety provisions

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60335-2-4:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 60730-2-8:2025 - Electrically Operated Water Valves Safety & Mechanical Requirements

Automatic Electrical Controls – Part 2-8: Particular Requirements for Electrically Operated Water Valves, Including Mechanical Requirements

This International Standard specifies comprehensive requirements for the construction, testing, and performance of electrically operated water valves used in a vast array of appliance, building automation, and public facility applications. Covering AC and DC powered valves up to 690 V (AC) and 600 V (DC), the standard addresses both inherent safety and functional safety, encompassing regular as well as smart-enabled, automated valves.

Key requirements include:

• Electrical and mechanical safety parameters
• Endurance and environmental stress (e.g., moisture, dust, temperature)
• EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) requirements for emission and immunity
• Protection against electric shock, fire, and corrosion
• Special tests for pressure, torque, and thermal stability

The standard addresses a diverse audience—manufacturers of appliances, building management systems, and commercial kitchen equipment; designers of smart and remote-controlled water infrastructure; and public facility specifiers. Its revised edition adopts updates from IEC 60730-1:2022, supplements safety for actuators, and clarifies integration with smart and hybrid control systems. Food or detergent dispensers, above-specified size and pressure valves, and exclusive industrial-process valves are excluded.

Key highlights:

• Incorporates advanced functional safety features and EMC testing
• Strengthened mechanical endurance criteria for valves in demanding environments
• Clarifies requirements for integration into smart control and building automation systems

Access the full standard:View IEC 60730-2-8:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13451-4:2025 - Swimming Pool Starting Platforms: Safety & Test Methods

Swimming Pool Equipment – Part 4: Additional Specific Safety Requirements and Test Methods for Starting Platforms

With swimming pools serving both public recreation and competitive use, this European Standard focuses on starting platforms up to 750 mm above water level. Superseding the 2014 edition, it introduces clarified definitions, expands safety criteria, and mandates updated test methods, particularly emphasizing user protection beyond competitive contexts.

Key areas covered:

• Design, dimensioning, and structural integrity of platforms
• Slip resistance and mechanical strength
• Installation requirements (including entry area and interaction with pool design)
• Test protocols for verifying compliance

Target users include facility managers, pool designers, operators, and safety certifiers responsible for public and classified pools (as defined in EN 15288 series). The standard takes precedence over the broader EN 13451-1 where conflicts arise. New Annexes provide updated safety information signs.

Key highlights:

• Refined dimension and slip resistance definitions
• Updated structural and documentation requirements
• New annex on mandatory safety signage

Access the full standard:View EN 13451-4:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 20127:2025 - Physical Properties of Powered Toothbrushes

Dentistry – Physical Properties of Powered Toothbrushes (ISO 20127:2025)

The 2025 update to this standard outlines requirements and test methods for powered toothbrushes, addressing key safety and performance features. The scope includes devices with batteries, electric motors, and various types of moving brush heads (oscillating-rotating, side-to-side, etc.). The revision supersedes EN ISO 20127:2020, reflecting advances in brush technologies and harmonizing test procedures for new materials and brush types.

Coverage includes:

• Mechanical strength, tuft retention, and brush head stability
• Electrical safety (including low-voltage and battery operation)
• Chemical resistance (against saliva, toothpaste, and cleaning agents)
• Filament end-rounding criteria for user comfort and safety
• Labelling, marking, and packaging standards

Manufacturers, importers, test houses, and dental professionals benefit from the robust testing and reporting protocols. The revision also clarifies requirements for detachable brush heads and next-generation synthetic filament designs. Specialized requirements may not apply to all models (e.g., certain brush heads or filament types are excluded from specific tests).

Key highlights:

• Enhanced brush head retention and filament end-rounding specifications
• Expanded chemical resistance and mechanical test protocols
• Consistent test methods for evolving powered toothbrush technologies

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 20127:2025 on iTeh Standards

FprEN 18039 - Autobelay Devices for Recreational Climbing

Mountaineering Equipment – Autobelay Devices for Recreational Use – Safety Requirements and Test Methods

This pre-standard (FprEN) specifies the technical and safety requirements for autobelay devices used to protect against falls in recreational climbing environments—such as climbing gyms and ropes courses. The document details requirements for design, performance under normal and adverse conditions (wet, cold), marking, information supply, and more.

Included requirements:

• Design and construction of autobelay mechanisms (materials, safety line, connection elements)
• Retraction system, dynamic/static strength, twisting and retraction speed checks
• Safety and function in varying weather and temperature conditions
• Corrosion resistance and durability
• Mandatory marking on devices and clear manufacturer instructions

Primary audiences include recreational climbing facility operators, equipment manufacturers/designers, and safety certifiers focused on user protection in indoor or artificial climbing structures. Devices intended exclusively for professional rescue or work at height are excluded from scope.

Key highlights:

• Exhaustive test methods for real-world use scenarios
• New marking and user information requirements
• Alignment with EU Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) regulations

Access the full standard:View FprEN 18039 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Several recurring motifs resonate across the May 2025 standards:

• Intensified safety focus: All standards reinforce risk mitigation—whether through updated mechanical strength requirements, accessibility restrictions, or labeling for safe use. This is especially topical for shared environments (swimming pools, climbing gyms).
• Technological innovation: Standards address the proliferating complexity of domestic appliances (smart-enabled water valves, battery-operated spin extractors, and modern powered toothbrushes) and increasingly versatile recreational equipment (autobelay devices).
• User-centered design: Requirements around ease of use, labeling, and documentation reflect greater emphasis on the end user, especially non-professionals in sports or shared facilities.
• Global harmonization: European and international alignment is evident—particularly in standards for oral care and household appliances, making compliance and market access more streamlined for cross-border suppliers.

The focus on functional safety, electrical and mechanical testing, and comprehensive labeling is a response to both consumer demand and increasingly strict regulatory environments. It points to a maturing sector where both manufacturers and facility operators must raise their bar for compliance and risk management.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Organizations affected by these standards should focus on the following action areas:

• Gap analysis: Conduct a detailed review of new or revised requirements, especially for products in development or those seeking recertification.
• Prioritize safety upgrades: For appliances, pool facilities, and climbing gyms, update procedures, physical infrastructure, and labeling based on new mechanical, environmental, and information requirements.
• Supplier and procurement audits: Ensure sourcing strategies reflect the latest compliance benchmarks, particularly for smart devices or imported equipment.
• Train and inform stakeholders: Communicate changes to production, maintenance, and operational teams; update facility user instructions and signage as required.
• Timeline alignment: Several standards include transitional periods; plan retrofits and new product launches around enforced deadlines (often 12-36 months after publication but confirmed in each standard).

Resources for getting started include official standard texts (see links above), technical guidance from national or European standardization bodies, and, where available, interpretation guides or test method annexes. Early engagement with notified bodies or certifiers is recommended for products subject to third-party approval or CE marking.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from May 2025

May 2025’s contribution to the Domestic and Commercial Equipment, Entertainment, and Sports standards landscape was substantial. The five featured standards set the stage for safer, user-friendly, and technologically robust products and facilities—from laundry rooms and bathrooms to sports halls and climbing gyms.

Professionals in this sector should:

• Prioritize safety and usability in design, procurement, and operations
• Review the harmonized and updated test methods to ensure continued market access and user protection
• Understand that future development—and regulatory scrutiny—will likely align further with these detailed requirements
• Leverage iTeh Standards’ catalogues and resources for ongoing updates and implementation support

Staying current with these publications is not simply a matter of regulatory necessity—it positions organizations to lead in responsible innovation and risk management. For the most authoritative guidance, follow the links to access each full standard and ensure your compliance efforts are built on the latest international best practices.