Fluid Systems and Components for General Use Standards Summary - July 2025

Looking back at July 2025, the Fluid Systems and Components for General Use sector saw the release of three significant standards, each carrying notable implications for the industry’s future direction. The July publications reflected critical advancements in the structural design of modular water infiltration systems, the technical delivery and inspection of stainless steel butt-welding fittings, and precision requirements for hydraulic valve interfaces. For industry professionals and organizations aiming to maintain compliance and push innovation, this monthly overview distills the core insights and practical relevance of these new standards—essential for those who may not have followed every update during a busy summer.

Monthly Overview: July 2025

July 2025 marked a pivotal month for standardization within the Fluid Systems and Components for General Use category, with three new documents published across a spectrum of application areas:

• Sustainable water management with updated design guidance for plastics piping systems
• Stringent quality protocols for stainless steel pipe fittings operating under pressure
• Enhanced dimensional standards for hydraulic control interfaces

Unlike previous cycles that might have focused more on singular technology streams, this month’s standards reflected integrative approaches. Particular attention was given to safety, reliability, and system modularity—trends that resonate with the industry’s pursuit of compliance amid evolving European regulatory frameworks, sustainability goals, and demands for equipment interchangeability.

July’s standards were also timely, given the broader shift towards harmonizing materials and system components across national boundaries. These publications suggest a growing emphasis on:

• Installation integrity for underground systems impacting urban infrastructure resilience
• Inspection and certification alignment for pressure-bearing pipe networks
• Streamlined manufacture and servicing of hydraulic manifolds

Standards Published This Month

CEN/TS 17152-4:2025 - Guidance for Structural Design of Modular Water Systems

Plastics piping systems for non-pressure underground conveyance and storage of non-potable water – Boxes used for infiltration, attenuation, and storage systems – Part 4: Guidance for structural design of modular systems

This technical specification, published by CEN, addresses the structural design of underground modular systems used for infiltration, attenuation, and storage of surface (storm) water. It guides designers on how to assess and accommodate various loading conditions—including soil and vehicular surcharges—when assembling modular thermoplastic boxes made from polypropylene (PP) or unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U).

Crucially, CEN/TS 17152-4:2025 explains the design steps and formulae, factoring in both temporary and permanent loads, characteristic and design pressures, and vehicle surcharges in line with Eurocode standards. It categorizes projects by risk and outlines scenarios where installation may proceed without detailed calculations (for example, shallow installations away from heavy traffic or high water tables). Exclusions are carefully delineated, such as seismic loading and non-standard backfills, ensuring clarity of application boundaries.

Targeted at organizations involved in water infrastructure—civil engineering firms, municipal utilities, environmental consultants, and manufacturers—this guidance enhances installation safety, longevity, and resource efficiency. It sits alongside other parts of EN 17152, and builds upon manufacturer-supplied data and European safety codes, harmonizing design methodology across member states.

Key highlights:

• Systematic design steps addressing both ultimate and serviceability limit states
• Classification of ‘low-risk’ installations and guidance on sample calculations
• Updated methodologies for calculating surface and traffic-induced pressures

Access the full standard:View CEN/TS 17152-4:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 10253-4:2025 - Butt-Welding Pipe Fittings in Stainless Steels with Specific Inspection Requirements

Butt-welding pipe fittings – Part 4: Wrought austenitic and austenitic-ferritic (duplex) stainless steels with specific inspection requirements

EN 10253-4:2025 supersedes its 2008 predecessor, introducing updates that reflect the evolving needs of industry and regulatory bodies. The standard sets forth comprehensive technical delivery requirements for seamless and welded butt-welding fittings—elbows, reducers, tees, and caps—intended for both general and demanding pressure applications.

Key differentiators of this edition include clarifications regarding fitting types (Type A: reduced pressure factor; Type B: full service pressure), a more granular classification of steel grades, and a harmonized approach to mechanical properties, dimensional tolerances, and inspection protocols. The document calls for rigorous testing—chemical analysis, impact, bend, weld, and non-destructive tests—as well as thorough documentation and marking, directly supporting compliance with the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED).

This standard is indispensable for manufacturers, specifiers, and quality managers dealing with fluid transmission and distribution systems, especially where pressure integrity is paramount. The harmonization with EN 10253-2 and tightening of requirements reflect the critical role these fittings play in safety-driven industries such as oil and gas, chemical processing, energy utilities, and high-specification water distribution networks.

Key highlights:

• Introduction of additional wall thickness/diameter values and updated mechanical testing
• Enhanced and clarified requirements for inspection and inspection documentation
• Improved alignment with PED and supporting standards

Access the full standard:View EN 10253-4:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 7368:2025 - Hydraulic Fluid Power – Two-Port Slip-In Cartridge Valves – Cavities

Hydraulic fluid power – Two-port slip-in cartridge valves – Cavities

The third edition of ISO 7368, published by ISO in July 2025, delivers a critical update on the dimensional specifications for the cavities into which two-port hydraulic slip-in cartridge valves are mounted. Focusing exclusively on geometrical data, the standard guarantees component interchangeability for a wide range of industrial hydraulic systems, with detailed coverage of cavity dimensions, tolerances, referencing systems, and fit requirements.

Notably, this revision synchronizes codification with the latest ISO 5783, updates manifold mounting interface tolerances, and clearly specifies requirements for pin and screw holes—addressing practical concerns for manufacturing, service, and replacement. The standard remains solely focused on geometry (not pressure ratings or operational parameters), and is essential for component manufacturers, engineering designers, and procurement officers needing compatibility across equipment suppliers.

ISO 7368:2025 is foundational for the fluid power segment, reducing lifecycle costs and complexity in hydraulic manifold production, and supporting global supply chain resilience.

Key highlights:

• Fully revised codification and figure/table consistency with ISO 5783
• Updates to critical manifold mounting and cavity depth tolerances
• Ensures global interchangeability of two-port slip-in cartridge valves

Access the full standard:View ISO 7368:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

A cross-analysis of the July 2025 publications in the fluid systems category reveals several overarching trends:

• Modularity and Interchangeability: Both CEN/TS 17152-4 and ISO 7368 center on modular design, signaling the industry’s shift towards adaptable infrastructures and supply chains. The explicit focus on component fit and assembly processes in these standards will support streamlined installation and maintenance.

• Rising Quality and Compliance Requirements: EN 10253-4’s strengthened inspection regimes reflect the increasing accountability demanded by both European directives and global markets. There is a pronounced move towards harmonized documentation and rigorous in-service verification.

• Sustainability and Urban Resilience: The structural guidance for stormwater management (CEN/TS 17152-4) underlines the sector’s investment in resilient, sustainable urban development—adapting to climate-related surface water challenges with engineered, long-life plastics infrastructure.

• Globalization of Specification: ISO 7368’s enhancement of cavity definitions broadens opportunities for global component sourcing and replacement strategies, providing manufacturing agility and fostering standard compatibility worldwide.

• Integrated Risk Management: Across all standards, there is now a deeper, codified recognition of scenario analysis (risk categorization, boundary conditions, and exclusion scenarios) as foundational to safe system deployment.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Organizations seeking to align with these July 2025 standards should consider the following practical guidance:

• Prioritize design methodology reviews and update calculation procedures to reflect changes, especially for modular water management systems (CEN/TS 17152-4). For projects outside 'low-risk' scenarios, engage with structural specialists and ensure access to current manufacturer data.

• Conduct a gap analysis for pressure systems in line with EN 10253-4:2025. Pay special attention to the expanded testing and documentation requirements. Ensure your inspection and production QA teams are trained and your supply chain can provide fittings with the certifications and markings now required.

• Review procurement specifications for hydraulic components and manifold manufacturing. Ensure cavity and interface dimensions for slip-in cartridge valves match the ISO 7368:2025 standard to support future system upgrades and compatibility.

• Monitor deadlines for national adoption. Many standards, particularly under CEN, have defined periods (typically six months) for withdrawal of conflicting guidance. Early compliance will mitigate project risks and avoid supply disruptions.

• Leverage available resources:

  1. Access the full text of standards on iTeh Standards (https://standards.iteh.ai).
  2. Partner with accredited testing and certification bodies where required.
  3. Attend manufacturer and association-led training on revised standards, particularly for complex system design or equipment with safety implications.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from July 2025

July 2025 represented a significant advance in standardization for fluid systems and components, shaping the regulatory and technical landscape for years to come. The three standards reviewed here offer far-reaching benefits:

1. CEN/TS 17152-4:2025 – Sets out robust, risk-differentiated design approaches for modular plastics stormwater systems, underpinning resilience and safety in infrastructure projects.
2. EN 10253-4:2025 – Reinforces quality, safety, and documentation in the manufacture and inspection of stainless steel butt-welding pipe fittings, in direct support of European pressure equipment regulations.
3. ISO 7368:2025 – Ensures seamless interchangeability and consistent performance in hydraulic fluid power systems worldwide, offering lasting value in both procurement and system integration.

For professionals, staying current with these evolving standards is essential—not just for compliance, but for leveraging emerging best practices, ensuring asset reliability, and advancing organizational competitiveness.

Recommendation: Review the standards in detail via iTeh Standards and engage cross-functional teams—including engineering, quality, procurement, and compliance—to map out implementation timelines. These publications form a foundation for effective, resilient, and high-quality fluid system projects moving into the second half of the decade.

Explore Each Standard in Depth:

• CEN/TS 17152-4:2025 - Guidance for Structural Design of Modular Water Systems
• EN 10253-4:2025 - Butt-Welding Pipe Fittings in Stainless Steels
• ISO 7368:2025 - Hydraulic Fluid Power – Two-Port Slip-In Cartridge Valves – Cavities