Monthly Roundup: Fluid Systems Standards from October 2025

Looking back at October 2025, the Fluid Systems sector saw the publication of three pivotal standards, each delivering crucial advancements for product reliability, system safety, and regulatory conformity. From enduring pressure tests for advanced composite piping to stringent quality assurance of underground PVC-U pipelines, and comprehensive commissioning protocols for refrigerated gas storage tanks, the month's standards reflected a maturing landscape shaped by operational complexity, sustainability objectives, and heightened compliance expectations. For industry professionals seeking a thorough, retrospective synthesis of October’s additions, this roundup distills essential learnings to support ongoing quality assurance, engineering choices, and procurement decisions.

Monthly Overview: October 2025

October 2025 stood out as a month marked by wide-ranging, yet interconnected advances in Fluid Systems. Three standards emerged, collectively encapsulating:

• Enhanced material qualification and test methodologies for composite pipes
• Expanded conformity assessment frameworks for plastics piping in municipal and industrial infrastructure
• Detailed, risk-based commissioning and decommissioning procedures for complex liquefied gas storage solutions

Compared to previous publication patterns—often focusing on incremental product specifications—this month reflected a sharpened focus on the processes and frameworks that underpin long-term system reliability. Lifecycle thinking, durability validation, and environmental responsibility were clear thematic currents.

With emphasis placed as much on how products are tested, installed, and monitored as on what products are used, the standards released in October 2025 illustrate a sector moving towards greater maturity in quality infrastructure and risk management. The period signals strengthening connections between regulatory rigor and operational resiliency—critical for operators, specification authors, and compliance professionals navigating complex project environments.

Standards Published This Month

ISO 24690:2025 - Glass Reinforced Thermosetting Plastic (GRP) Pipes – Test Method for the Determination of Long-Term Pressure Endurance Strength

Glass reinforced thermosetting plastic (GRP) pipes – Test method for the determination of long-term pressure endurance strength

ISO 24690:2025 establishes a robust test methodology for evaluating the long-term pressure endurance strength of glass-reinforced thermosetting plastics (GRP) pipes. Specifically, it defines a procedure by which test specimens of GRP pipes are subjected to predetermined internal pressures and temperatures for specified durations, simulating real-world ageing. Following this aging, the residual failure strength of each sample is measured, offering quantitative insight into material degradation and pipe longevity under various conditions. The external environment for testing can be either air or water, as referenced in the appropriate referring standard.

This standard is central for manufacturers, design engineers, and quality assurance teams involved with GRP piping systems across sectors such as industrial utilities, water supply, and chemical processing. Given the ubiquitous demand for reliability in pressurized fluid conveyance, adherence to ISO 24690 ensures not only product durability but also compliance with evolving project specifications where lifespan prediction and risk mitigation are paramount.

In the broader regulatory ecosystem, ISO 24690:2025 provides an alternative to traditional constant-pressure time-to-failure tests by focusing on residual strength after controlled ageing, thus addressing unpredictabilities in life expectancy and enhancing comparability across manufacturers and applications.

Key highlights:

• Quantifies long-term pressure endurance of GRP piping using standardized ageing and short-term failure testing
• Supports predictive maintenance planning and asset management for GRP infrastructure
• Enhances harmonization and comparability across global GRP pipe manufacturers and projects

Access the full standard:View ISO 24690:2025 on iTeh Standards

CEN/TS 1401-2:2025 - Plastics Piping Systems for Non-Pressure Underground Drainage and Sewerage – Unplasticized Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) – Part 2: Guidance for the Assessment of Conformity

Plastics piping systems for non-pressure underground drainage and sewerage — Unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) — Part 2: Guidance for the assessment of conformity

CEN/TS 1401-2:2025 presents a comprehensive conformity assessment protocol for unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) piping systems intended for non-pressure underground drainage and sewerage, following specifications set in EN 1401-1. The technical specification offers detailed requirements and guidance related to formulation control, batch and process verification, type testing, audit testing, indirect and witness testing, and the organization of such assessment activities within manufacturer and third-party certification frameworks.

The standard directly targets manufacturers, certification bodies, quality managers, and procurement specialists responsible for underground piping in civil engineering, urban infrastructure, and industrial facility projects. Its provisions ensure that products and assemblies not only meet technical requirements but also are produced under effective quality management systems—expected to be aligned with EN ISO 9001 and validated through ongoing test matrices outlined in the annexes.

By integrating sustainability considerations (notably around the safe inclusion and control of recycled content), CEN/TS 1401-2:2025 further elevates environmental stewardship as a practical aspect of conformity. The standard is also designed to interface seamlessly with third-party product certification, thus facilitating cross-border acceptance and consistent market access.

Key highlights:

• Systematic approach for conformity assessment—spanning type, batch, process, audit, and indirect tests
• Alignment with leading quality management protocols (e.g., EN ISO 9001, EN ISO/IEC 17065/17021)
• Enhanced support for sustainability via structured control over recycled and non-virgin materials

Access the full standard:View CEN/TS 1401-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 14620-5:2025 - Design and Manufacture of Site Built, Vertical, Cylindrical, Flat-Bottomed Tank Systems for the Storage of Refrigerated, Liquefied Gases…Part 5: Testing, Drying, Purging and Cool-down

Design and manufacture of site built, vertical, cylindrical, flat-bottomed tank systems for the storage of refrigerated, liquefied gases with operating temperatures between 0 °C and -196 °C – Part 5: Testing, drying, purging and cool-down

EN 14620-5:2025 applies to large, site-built vertical tanks designed for the storage of refrigerated liquefied gases (RLGs) such as LNG, LPG, ammonia, and industrial gases (e.g., nitrogen, oxygen, argon) at temperatures down to –196°C. This standard addresses the critical pre-operational and end-of-life stages through explicitly detailed requirements and recommendations for:

• Full and partial height hydrostatic testing (with tank foundation settlement monitoring)
• Positive and negative pneumatic pressure tests, including procedures for double-wall and membrane tanks
• Drying, purging (with inert or process gases), and cool-down protocols
• Water quality requirements for hydrostatic testing to prevent corrosion
• Commissioning and safe decommissioning, with settlement monitoring as part of a long-term maintenance plan

Industries handling large volumes of refrigerated gases—energy (LNG, LPG), petrochemical, and bulk industrial gases—find this standard invaluable to ensuring regulatory compliance, operational safety, and environmental protection. The updates for 2025 reflect expanded product ranges, more nuanced guidance on corrosion control, detailed test and inspection procedures, and enhanced decommissioning protocols.

Its requirements are designed to ensure that tank integrity, leak tightness, and foundation stability are demonstrably validated before tanks enter service, and that decommissioning—whether for maintenance or retirement of assets—meets the latest safety and environmental expectations.

Key highlights:

• Defines and updates hydrostatic and pneumatic testing requirements for vertical refrigerated tanks
• Mandates settlement monitoring and provides foundation assessment protocols
• Expands procedures for safe drying, purging, cool-down, and decommissioning

Access the full standard:View EN 14620-5:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

A retrospective analysis of October 2025’s standards for Fluid Systems yields several notable themes:

• Lifecycle Integrity and Durability: All three standards take a lifecycle view—testing for long-term resilience (ISO 24690), integrating regular conformity checks (CEN/TS 1401-2), and benchmarking tank readiness and safe end-of-life protocols (EN 14620-5).

• Process-Centric Compliance: The focus shifts from product features alone to how systems and materials are tested, commissioned, and decommissioned, especially visible in the detailed process requirements for tank systems and quality management protocols for piping products.

• Risk Management and Traceability: There is stronger linkage between standards and risk-based thinking, such as tank settlement monitoring, process verification for recycled infrastructure materials, and robust documentation (test reports, marker systems).

• Sustainability Integration: Notably, CEN/TS 1401-2:2025 incorporates guidance on the inclusion of recycled materials while maintaining product performance, reflecting mounting pressure for environmental accountability in civil infrastructure.

• Global Harmonization: These publications further harmonize European and international approaches, aiding manufacturers, asset managers, and certifiers in scaling best practices and achieving regulatory acceptance across markets.

Overall, these standards address the critical industry needs of the moment: building trust in evolving materials technologies, enhancing in-field operational safety, and mitigating the risks and uncertainties inherent in both everyday operation and extreme scenarios such as maintenance, decommissioning, and end-of-life transitions.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Professionals and organizations subject to these standards should prioritize:

1. Gap Assessment and Planning:

   • Conduct a thorough review of current product designs, testing practices, and quality management systems against the new requirements.
   • Map existing protocols for pressure testing, commissioning, and conformity assessment to the latest best practices outlined.

2. Staff Training and Documentation:

   • Ensure technical teams are trained in new test methods (especially for ISO 24690), updated process validation routines, and enhanced reporting expectations.
   • Implement or update records management in line with audit trail and traceability requirements.

3. Third-Party Certification and Quality Management Alignment:

   • For organizations seeking market access in the EU or internationally, ensure that quality systems are aligned (e.g., EN ISO 9001, EN ISO/IEC 17065).
   • Engage certification bodies early to review conformity histories, batch release protocols, and audit testing arrangements.

4. Sustainability and Material Compliance:

   • Audit recycled content streams and embedded environmental controls per CEN/TS 1401-2:2025.
   • Integrate sustainability checks into material authorizations and process monitoring.

5. Tank Operations and Maintenance:

   • Review tank commissioning, cool-down, and decommissioning protocols per EN 14620-5:2025, with attention to foundation monitoring, corrosion prevention, and procedural documentation.

Timeline Considerations:

• Most organizations will require a phased implementation, with training, documentation, and supplier engagement spread over 6–12 months depending on the complexity and criticality of the systems involved.

Recommended Resources:

• Full standards are accessible on iTeh Standards
• Engage with national and regional technical committees for updates and industry-specific guidance

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from October 2025

The standards published in October 2025 constitute a significant step forward for the Fluid Systems sector. Tighter alignment between test methodology, real-world operational risk, and conformity assurance reflects both the increasing complexity of engineered fluid systems and the rising stakes for operators and specification writers.

Which standards matter most for whom?

• Pipe manufacturers and utilities should focus on ISO 24690:2025 for GRP pressure testing and CEN/TS 1401-2:2025 for robust conformity in underground PVC-U systems.
• Operators of refrigerated gas storage installations (energy, chemical, bulk gases) must prioritize the multiple facets of EN 14620-5:2025, from hydrostatic testing through decommissioning.

Why stay current?

• Regulatory momentum, evolving sustainability criteria, and operational risk imperatives make it essential for professionals to continually review the standards landscape.
• Early adoption of updated or harmonized practices not only streamlines compliance and tendering but also underpins customer assurance and brand reputation.

To explore the full detail and ensure best-in-class implementation, organizations are encouraged to consult the full text of each standard—available directly through iTeh Standards—and engage internal and external stakeholders without delay.

Stay ahead by leveraging this retrospective analysis to benchmark your systems, refine practices, and guarantee that your organization thrives under the latest international standards for fluid systems and components for general use.