Glass and Ceramics Standards Summary – September 2025 (Part 1 of 2)

Looking back at September 2025, the glass and ceramics industries experienced a significant wave of standardization activity, with five important standards shaping analytical practice, product testing, and material characterization. This overview distills the key updates and themes from these recent documents, providing crucial context for professionals seeking to benchmark quality, comply with evolving requirements, and stay competitive in an increasingly technical marketplace. For those who might have missed these releases, this summary brings together the essential standards and what they represent for the sector.

Monthly Overview: September 2025

September 2025 was notable for the Glass and Ceramics Industries, with the publication of five core standards that influenced both the upstream analysis of ceramic raw materials and the downstream characterization of dense shaped refractory products and advanced ceramics. Compared to previous periods, this month saw a pronounced focus on analytical techniques for impurity determination, as well as on the precise definition of physical properties crucial to product performance and reliability.

The dual emergence of EN 15979:2025 (direct current arc optical emission spectrometry) and EN 15991:2025 (ETV-ICP-OES) for silicon carbide impurity testing highlights a trend toward increasing analytical rigor and options for manufacturers, while the ISO standards reflect parallel priorities in test method modernization—for both advanced photocatalytic materials and structural refractories. Overall, the standards published this month underscore an industry direction toward greater reproducibility, traceability, and the adoption of new technologies in both testing and production control.

Standards Published This Month

EN 15979:2025 – Testing of Ceramic Raw Materials: DCArc-OES Method

Testing of ceramic raw materials and ceramic materials – Direct determination of mass fractions of impurities in powders and granules of silicon carbide by optical emission spectrometry by direct current arc excitation (DCArc-OES)

EN 15979:2025 defines a direct method for determining mass fractions of key metallic and non-metallic impurities (Al, B, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, Ti, V, Zr) in powdered or granulated silicon carbide via direct current arc-excited optical emission spectrometry. Its applicability extends beyond silicon carbide, covering other carbides, nitrides, graphite, and basic or oxidic ceramic raw materials after suitable validation.

The standard establishes detailed protocols for sample preparation, calibration (preferably with certified reference materials), and the operation of DCArc systems, emphasizing sensitivity in the range of 1 mg/kg to 3,000 mg/kg (expandable up to 5,000 mg/kg for select impurities). Compared to earlier methods, DCArc-OES offers avoidance of complex wet-chemistry, enhances sample throughput, and minimizes risks of contamination or loss—making it is especially well-suited for high-volume, matrix-specific analysis.

Intended users:

• Producers and processors of ceramic raw materials (especially silicon carbide)
• Quality assurance laboratories
• Secondary industries handling carbides, nitrides, and refactories

This revision reflects expanded guidance on sample preparation, calibration, and data interpretation, supporting improved accuracy and reproducibility for mass fraction determinations.

Key highlights:

• Direct, high-throughput measurement of trace impurities in SiC and related materials
• Avoidance of hazardous wet-chemistry digestion processes
• Applicability to broad range of metallic and non-metallic raw materials

Access the full standard:View EN 15979:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 15991:2025 – Testing of Ceramic Raw Materials: ETV-ICP-OES Method

Testing of ceramic raw materials and ceramic materials – Direct determination of mass fractions of impurities in powders and granules of silicon carbide by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry with electrothermal vaporisation (ETV-ICP-OES)

EN 15991:2025 offers a complementary analytical procedure to EN 15979:2025, utilizing ETV-ICP-OES for the direct quantification of trace impurities (Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, Ti, V, Zr) in silicon carbide powders and granules. The method is robust for a range of 0.1 mg/kg to 1,000 mg/kg (extendable to 0.001 mg/kg – 5,000 mg/kg), depending on element and matrix conditions.

By employing electrothermal vaporisation, this standard facilitates solid sampling and high detection sensitivity without recourse to wet digestion, significantly reducing risks of matrix interference, contamination, or analyte loss. It is particularly advantageous for dedicated analytical laboratories or industrial facilities aiming for rapid, multi-matrix analyses, including (after validation) graphite, boron/silicon carbides, nitrides, and several oxidic or carbon-rich refractories.

For organizations previously reliant on ICP-OES with solution nebulization, this method introduces higher sensitivity, greater specificity, and improved matrix compatibility.

Key highlights:

• Flexible impurity detection across multiple element groups and matrices
• Supports high-throughput, high-precision laboratory and in-process QC
• Avoids acid digestion, leveraging advanced vaporisation and detection technology

Access the full standard:View EN 15991:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 10820:2025 – UV-A LED Test Equipment for Advanced Ceramics

Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics) – Ultraviolet irradiation equipment using UV-A LEDs and optical radiometry for performance test of semiconducting photocatalytic materials

ISO 10820:2025 introduces internationally-harmonized requirements for ultraviolet (UV-A, 365 nm) LED irradiation equipment used in the performance testing of semiconducting photocatalytic materials, commonly applied in environmental remediation, self-cleaning, and filter technologies. With the industry shifting away from mercury-containing UV lamps to more sustainable, efficient LED sources, this standard is both timely and forward-looking.

This specification covers:

• Properties of UV-LED chip and irradiation assemblies
• Criteria for spectral characterization (bandwidth, peak wavelength, cut-on/off)
• Measurement using radiometers and spectroradiometers tailored to LED output

ISO 10820:2025 also provides protocols for calibration, reporting, and maintenance, ensuring robust reproducibility across global supply chains and research programs. For developers and users of photocatalysts—especially in indoor air quality, water purification, and architectural applications—this standard provides a critical foundation for product comparison and certification in line with next-generation, mercury-free lighting practices.

Key highlights:

• First ISO standard for UV-LED based photocatalysis testing
• Facilitates industry transition from traditional UV sources to LED technology
• Applicable for performance comparison, R&D, and regulatory compliance

Access the full standard:View ISO 10820:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 2478:2025 – Dimensional Stability of Dense Shaped Refractory Products

Dense shaped refractory products – Determination of permanent change in dimensions on heating

ISO 2478:2025 details standardized methods for assessing the dimensional stability (permanent expansion or contraction) of dense shaped refractory products following exposure to elevated temperatures. Shaped refractories—including both standard and special bricks, as well as pre-cast shapes—are tested using precise protocols that measure changes in length or volume after heating and cooling cycles under oxidizing conditions.

The standard sets out two primary measurement methods:

• Method 1: Change in linear dimension (using either dial gauge or Vernier callipers)
• Method 2: Change in volume

This edition adds method enhancements and clarifies definitions of sample preparation and reporting. Accurate dimensional change assessment is vital for quality assurance, design validation, and specification of refractories used in industrial furnaces, kilns, and reactors, where unforeseen expansion or shrinkage can critically impact service performance.

The standard excludes carbon-containing products, recognizing their distinct behavior under testing.

Key highlights:

• Essential for evaluating refractory suitability and service behavior
• Dual methods (linear and volumetric) for flexibility in laboratory practice
• Updated precision/bias annex to assist in data interpretation

Access the full standard:View ISO 2478:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 5017:2025 – Bulk Density, Apparent and True Porosity of Dense Shaped Refractory Products

Dense shaped refractory products – Determination of bulk density, apparent porosity and true porosity

ISO 5017:2025 establishes the method for characterizing three fundamental physical properties of dense shaped refractory products: bulk density, apparent porosity, and true porosity. These attributes govern performance under thermal, mechanical, and chemical stress in high-temperature applications.

The method encompasses:

• Sample drying and preparation
• Immersion and soaking protocols for open pore saturation
• Precise mass and volume measurement using calibrated balances and suitable liquids (water or paraffin, depending on material sensitivity)
• Calculation routines to derive bulk density, open/closed/true porosity metrics

This revision also references related standards for unshaped refractories and introduces updated guidance on test piece selection and statistical reporting.

Understanding porosity is critical for:

• Predicting resistance to thermal shock and slag penetration
• Ensuring compliance with purchaser and regulatory specifications
• Informing improvements in production processes and raw material selection

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive framework for routine and corporate laboratory QA/QC
• Applicable to standard/special bricks, pre-cast shapes, and processed samples
• Updated terminology and sample guidance to harmonize global practice

Access the full standard:View ISO 5017:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Several noteworthy patterns emerged from the September 2025 standards suite:

• Analytical modernization: The simultaneous release of DCArc-OES and ETV-ICP-OES methods signifies the maturing of direct, solid-phase analysis for ceramic raw materials. This supports the drive for dynamic, high-sensitivity, and contamination-free analytical workflows.
• Transition to sustainable technologies: With ISO 10820:2025, the industry reinforced its shift away from legacy mercury-based lighting toward LED-based, energy-efficient, and environmentally-friendly irradiation systems, especially in functional ceramics.
• Quality, reliability, and reproducibility: Updated ISO test methods for refractories (ISO 5017, ISO 2478) reflect the sector’s demand for higher reproducibility, robust sampling, and clear statistical backing. These revisions facilitate global supply chain consistency, risk management, and customer confidence.
• Material performance under operational conditions: The testing of dimensional stability and porosity addresses real-world challenges in furnace design, high-temperature processing, and service life optimization.
• Holistic, cross-cutting applicability: Most of these standards are readily extendable or adaptable to related materials—including advanced ceramics, carbides, nitrides, and functional composites—promoting efficiency and harmonization across product lines.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Organizations affected by these standards should take the following actions:

• Gap assessment: Compare current analytical and QA/QC protocols against the new/revised standards, particularly for impurity analysis (EN 15979/EN 15991) and refractory product testing (ISO 5017/ISO 2478).
• Training and competence verification: Provide laboratory technicians and engineers with training in new apparatus, measurement techniques, and interpretation/reporting procedures.
• Instrumentation upgrades: Ensure access to calibrated, compliant equipment (e.g., DCArc-OES, ETV-ICP-OES, UV-A LED irradiation setups) and update SOPs accordingly.
• Supplier and customer communication: Align specifications and procurement documentation with updated test methods to ensure interoperability and compliance across the supply chain.
• Project planning: Prioritize implementation of standards based on business impact, customer requirements, and audit schedules; factor in the need for possible equipment or method validation timelines.

For most organizations, adopting these standards is not only a matter of compliance, but a strategic move to enhance quality, reduce risk, and demonstrate sectoral leadership.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from September 2025

September 2025 brought a suite of influential standards that will define best practices and raise the technical baseline across multiple segments of the Glass and Ceramics Industries. From impurity measurement advances (EN 15979, EN 15991) to the modernization of performance testing (ISO 10820, ISO 5017, ISO 2478), these documents provide substantial opportunities for manufacturers, laboratories, and procurement specialists to future-proof their processes and products.

For industry professionals, staying abreast of these publications is vital—not only for technical compliance but also for operational excellence and market differentiation. We recommend a proactive review of each standard and encourage laboratories and engineers to consult the full documents via iTeh Standards for detailed procedural requirements and best-in-class implementation.

Explore these and other essential standards in detail at iTeh Standards to ensure your organization remains at the forefront of quality and innovation in the Glass and Ceramics Industries.

This is Part 1 of a two-part retrospective covering September 2025 standards in the Glass and Ceramics Industries. For additional standards and deeper insights, stay tuned for Part 2.