December 2025: Key Materials Handling Equipment Standards Published

In December 2025, two critical international standards were published, marking major advancements in the field of materials handling equipment. These updates focus on the design, operation, and safety of crane controls and lifting hooks, directly influencing equipment manufacturers, crane operators, safety engineers, and compliance professionals worldwide. The release includes:

• ISO 7752-2:2025 — Establishing control layouts for mobile cranes
• EN 13001-3-5:2025 — Defining limit states and proof of competence for forged and cast crane hooks

These standards strengthen safety protocols and harmonize expectations for operational consistency and structural reliability across crane systems.

Overview / Introduction

The materials handling equipment sector underpins a vast range of industries including construction, logistics, manufacturing, and shipping. Cranes and their associated components are central to these operations, making safety and operational standards essential for risk mitigation, increased efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

International standards like those published this December play a critical role in:

• Ensuring equipment is safe to operate
• Achieving interoperability between different makes and models
• Mandating minimum performance levels
• Providing guidance for design, procurement, and maintenance

In this article, professionals will gain a detailed understanding of the latest requirements, learn what has changed, and access practical insights for implementation and compliance.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 7752-2:2025 - Basic Arrangement and Requirements for Mobile Crane Controls

Cranes – Control layout and characteristics – Part 2: Basic arrangement and requirements for mobile cranes

This standard defines the standardized layout, direction of movement, and key characteristics of basic control devices used on mobile cranes (as per ISO 4306-2). It covers both bi-directional levers and cross-shift levers (multi-directional controls), including their arrangement for functions such as slewing, load lifting/lowering, boom luffing, and telescoping. ISO 7752-2:2025 is intended for use in conjunction with ISO 7752-1 (General principles).

Key Requirements and Scope:

• Applies to mobile cranes as defined by ISO 4306-2, encompassing single-boom and fly jib configurations with fixed-length or telescoping booms
• Establishes standardized arrangements for all primary operating levers and foot pedals
• Details the direction of actuation for each crane function, reducing risk of operator confusion or error
• Specifies ergonomic placement so controls are within easy reach of the operator
• Considers alternatives for special work environments, provided standard movement conventions are preserved

Who Should Comply:

• Crane manufacturers and OEMs
• Rental fleets and large operators using mixed crane models
• Engineering, safety, and training departments

Practical Implications: By normalizing the control layout, this standard helps crane operators quickly adapt between models and brands, reducing accidents linked to inconsistent controls. The revised edition (replacing ISO 7752-2:2011) introduces:

• Requirements for telescoping and luffing fly jibs
• Enhanced guidance for bi-directional and multi-directional controls
• Updated compatibility provisions for remote control stations
• A unified framework for future advances in control technology

Key highlights:

• Standardization of lever/pedal arrangement for core crane operations
• Mandatory direction-of-movement conventions to increase operator safety
• Compatibility with both manual and remote control configurations

Access the full standard:View ISO 7752-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13001-3-5:2025 - Limit States and Proof of Competence for Forged and Cast Hooks

Cranes – General design – Part 3-5: Limit states and proof of competence of forged and cast hooks

EN 13001-3-5:2025 provides comprehensive requirements for the design, selection, and verification of forged and cast crane hooks—the critical link between a crane and its load. This part focuses on hooks made from steel forgings or castings (including stainless steel) with shank/thread/nut suspensions. Plate hooks are specifically excluded.

Key Requirements and Scope:

• Sets material and mechanical property requirements for hook bodies and machined shanks, including heat treatment and metallurgical characteristics
• Defines static and fatigue strength criteria, calculation methods for proof of competence, and geometric tolerances
• Lists testing and inspection procedures, including non-destructive testing (NDT), surface roughness, and grain size
• Details manufacturing practices, tolerances, and safety factors to address hazardous situations such as overloading and brittle fracture
• Specifies compliance with the limit state method in accordance with EN 13001-1:2015

Who Should Comply:

• Crane manufacturers
• Hook and component suppliers
• Safety and engineering managers
• Inspectors and certification bodies

Practical Implications: EN 13001-3-5:2025 is vital for ensuring the reliability and safety of crane hooks—failure here can lead to catastrophic accidents. The 2025 revision supersedes EN 13001-3-5:2016+A1:2021, introducing:

• Updated material specifications (including impact energy and chemical composition for steel grades)
• Unified requirements for proof testing, NDT, and surface finish
• Improved guidance for fatigue calculations, shank/thread geometry, and repair welding
• Enhanced linkage to EU Machinery Regulation and other EN standards

Key highlights:

• Mandatory Charpy-V impact energy and elongation at fracture for materials
• Prescribed geometry and tolerance for shank/thread/undercut
• Comprehensive criteria for both static and fatigue loading, with explicit safety margins

Access the full standard:View EN 13001-3-5:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Operational and Business Impact

These new standards set a benchmark for design and operation of mobile cranes and lifting hooks. Adhering to them will:

• Reduce the risk of operator error and occupational accidents
• Improve compatibility and interoperability, particularly for mixed equipment fleets
• Streamline training programs with standardized control layouts and safety criteria
• Strengthen legal defensibility and facilitate certification to meet regulatory requirements

Compliance Considerations

• Compliance Deadlines: The standards are applicable to cranes and hooks manufactured after December 2025. Transition from prior editions should be completed in procurement and design processes immediately.
• Documentation: Proper records of compliance, testing, and inspection are essential—auditors will expect documentation aligned with the new requirements.
• Procurement: Specifications for new cranes and hooks should reference the updated standards to ensure futureproof investments.

Benefits

• Enhanced operator and bystander safety
• Lower liability and risk exposure for asset owners and operators
• Consistency across international operations and supply chains
• Improved reliability and reduced downtime

Risks of Non-Compliance

• Legal consequences and increased regulatory scrutiny
• Higher likelihood of industrial accidents and associated costs
• Delays in commissioning or certification

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

Across both standards, several core technical themes emerge:

• Engineering Principle: Both require strict adherence to ergonomic design, material selection, and methodical proof of strength (yield, ultimate, fatigue, and brittle fracture)
• Testing and Certification: Proof loading, Charpy-V impact testing, non-destructive testing, and geometric tolerances are mandatory
• Documentation: All processes—from material certification to manufacturing tolerances and test records—must be documented for traceability

Best Practices for Implementation

1. Early Integration: Incorporate the standards into product development and procurement at the conceptual and design stages.
2. Training: Update operator, engineering, and inspection training materials to reflect the new control layouts and hook assessment criteria.
3. Audit Readiness: Maintain up-to-date certificates of conformity, material test reports, and NDT records for each crane and hook.
4. Collaboration: Engage with suppliers and third-party inspectors early to mitigate adoption issues.

Testing and Certification Considerations

• Calculations for static and fatigue strength should be in strict accordance with EN 13001-3-5:2025 formulas
• For control systems, testing must demonstrate compliance with ISO 7752-2:2025 lever and pedal conventions under real operational conditions
• Third-party certification, especially for hooks, benefits both EU and international market access

Conclusion / Next Steps

December 2025 saw the release of two cornerstone standards for materials handling equipment—advancing both the safety and reliability of crane operations worldwide. Organizations involved in the manufacture, deployment, or operation of mobile cranes and lifting hooks must:

• Analyze their current compliance with ISO 7752-2:2025 and EN 13001-3-5:2025
• Update design, procurement, and training documentation
• Begin transitioning product lines and internal processes to align with the new requirements

Stay ahead by:

• Reviewing full standards via iTeh Standards for detailed clauses and implementation guidance
• Engaging with suppliers and certifying bodies to ensure seamless compliance
• Monitoring industry developments for ongoing updates and best practice insights

Explore both standards and more at iTeh Standards, your authoritative source for international compliance and technical leadership in materials handling equipment.