February 2026: Essential Updates to Materials Handling Equipment Standards

The materials handling equipment sector has seen significant advancements this February 2026, with the release of three pivotal international standards. These new and revised standards address conveyor belt design, performance, and—critically—safety requirements for both surface and underground applications. For professionals engaged in logistics, manufacturing, procurement, and compliance, these standards signal important updates to both the technical and regulatory landscape of modern materials handling operations. With fresh requirements from ISO and CEN covering textile-reinforced and steel cord conveyor belts, staying compliant now means navigating a more robust framework focused on safety, durability, and consistent performance across multiple industries.

Overview

Conveyor systems are the lifeblood of materials handling operations—whether moving bulk goods in manufacturing plants, managing cargo in logistics hubs, or ensuring safe ore transport underground. International standards in this field ensure reliability, worker safety, and compatibility of equipment across borders. The February 2026 standards update covers three crucial documents, each refining specifications, enhancing safety, and clarifying the obligations for manufacturers, operators, and procurement specialists.

In this article, you'll discover:

• What's new in the latest international standards for conveyor belts
• The scope and technical requirements of each standard
• How these specifications impact your business and industry practices
• Practical compliance strategies and next steps

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN ISO 14890:2026 – Specification for Rubber- or Plastics-Covered Conveyor Belts of Textile Construction for General Use

Conveyor belts - Specification for rubber- or plastics-covered conveyor belts of textile construction for general use (ISO 14890:2026)

This standard, published by CEN, defines the detailed requirements for conveyor belts of textile construction used in general material transport on flat or troughed idlers. It applies specifically to belts with either rubber or plastics covers—or a combination—ensuring consistency and performance across a wide range of applications. Importantly, the standard excludes light conveyor belts as covered by ISO 21183-1.

Key requirements include:

• Methods for designating belts by characteristics such as carcass material, nominal tensile strength, width/length, cover thickness, and safety category
• Specifications for belt construction types: mono-ply, duo-ply, multi-ply, and solid woven designs
• Tolerances on length, width, total belt thickness, and cover thickness
• Detailed construction rules for fabric joints (transverse and longitudinal), critical to belt durability and performance
• Mechanical performance such as full-thickness tensile strength and elongation
• Sampling, identification, and buyer-supplier agreement processes

Target sectors encompass any plant or operation using textile-reinforced conveyor belts for general surface transport—spanning mining, utilities, agriculture, ports, and bulk materials processing. Manufacturers must comply to ensure market access and meet procurement specifications. For quality managers, these requirements guide inspections, vendor audits, and maintenance regimes.

Notable changes in the 2026 edition include removal of the G code letter/yarn, updated joint specifications, and expanded tensile strength categories, reflecting advances in textile technologies and user needs.

Key highlights:

• Unified approach for designating, ordering, and verifying textile construction conveyor belts
• Clear tolerances and construction practices that underpin operational reliability
• New tensile strength categories to support a wider range of applications

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 14890:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 14890:2026 – Specification for Rubber- or Plastics-Covered Conveyor Belts of Textile Construction for General Use

Conveyor belts — Specification for rubber- or plastics-covered conveyor belts of textile construction for general use

The ISO edition of the specification—harmonized with EN ISO 14890:2026—addresses the same foundational requirements for textile-reinforced conveyor belting used in surface installations. Developed by ISO/TC 41, the standard clarifies and codifies:

• Materials of construction (polyester, polyamide, etc.) for warp and weft directions
• Belt designations and ordering protocols, helping align global procurement and supply chains
• Physical and mechanical property tests: tensile strength, elongation at break, abrasion resistance, and troughability (the ability to conform to a troughing idler arrangement)
• Tolerances and quality classes for top and bottom covers, including guidance on abrasion resistance and electrical/flame safety (per EN 12882)

Manufacturers, OEMs, procurement teams, and operators worldwide rely on ISO 14890 for harmonized product specifications, supplier agreements, and performance evaluations. The latest version reflects technical evolution and global industry feedback.

Notable updates over its predecessor (ISO 14890:2013) include exclusion of glass (G) yarns, redefinition of longitudinal joint assignments, and expanded tensile range listings—making it more adaptable and comprehensive.

Key highlights:

• Ensures global alignment in belt design, performance, and safety
• Simplifies international sourcing and vendor qualification
• Incorporates new categories and removes outdated materials

Access the full standard:View ISO 14890:2026 on iTeh Standards

FprEN ISO 15236-3 – Special Safety Requirements for Steel Cord Conveyor Belts Used Underground

Steel cord conveyor belts - Part 3: Special safety requirements for belts for use in underground installations (ISO/FDIS 15236-3:2025)

This new CEN standard addresses the unique hazards faced in underground mining and other environments with high fire and explosion risk. FprEN ISO 15236-3 sets out construction, performance, and safety requirements specific to steel cord-reinforced conveyor belts intended for these applications.

Core among its technical provisions are:

• Maximum safety-focused constructional features for belts used underground, with steel cords in longitudinal reinforcement
• Detailed design and construction rules: cord pitch and position, belt width, number of cords, cover thickness, belt thickness, and marking
• Mechanical property verification: breaking strength of steel cords, cord pull-out force, adhesion of covers, and troughability
• Requirements for the use of chloroprene rubber bases for the covers and bonding (improving fire and explosion resistance)
• Strict compliance with electrical and flammability safety categories as per relevant EN specifications

Targeted at mining companies, conveyor system OEMs, and safety auditors, this standard is also vital for procurement and maintenance teams in coal and ore transport infrastructure.

Key revisions in this draft include removal of preferential belt type tables and some coverage grades, ensuring clarity and refined applicability. Designers and engineers must ensure technical documentation, procurement, and installed systems strictly adhere to these new safety protocols.

Key highlights:

• Essential for safety compliance in underground mining and explosive environments
• Focus on fire resistance, cord integrity, and mechanical robustness
• Sets out precise buyer-supplier information requirements for traceability and safety assessment

Access the full standard:View FprEN ISO 15236-3 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Adoption of these standards will resonate across supply chains and operations involved with materials handling equipment:

• Manufacturers must update design processes, bill of materials, and production testing to ensure every belt meets the latest requirements—from tensile properties to fire resistance.
• Procurement professionals can leverage the standards' order specification frameworks to align bids, contracts, and QA routines globally.
• Operators and maintenance teams gain clarity on inspection, repair, and replacement processes, reducing risks of downtime or catastrophic failure.
• Safety and compliance officers benefit from well-defined categories for electrical and flammability properties—critical for meeting regulatory inspection.

Compliance considerations include:

• Ensuring all new conveyor belt installations conform to the latest edition (legacy materials may be phased out)
• Documenting purchase and inspection procedures aligned to the standards' annexes and tables
• Scheduling re-certification and operational audits as part of safety management systems
• Notifying stakeholders (e.g., insurance, regulatory) of design or certification changes

Benefits extend to safer workplaces, reduced incidents, greater interoperability between global facilities, and stronger market access.

Non-compliance could result in regulatory penalties, denied insurance claims, or severe operational failures—especially in sensitive applications like underground mining.

Technical Insights

Common technical requirements and best practices:

• Use designated materials for each component: specify carcass, covers, reinforcement yarns/cords according to table references
• Adhere to test methods for tensile strength, elongation, abrasion, and adhesion (referenced throughout each standard)
• Implement traceable product identification and designation protocols to facilitate inspections and procurement
• Ensure document retention and conformance declarations are up to date for every consignment or manufactured belt
• For underground belts, verify that only chloroprene-based compounds are used, and all electrical/flame tests are performed per EN and ISO methods

Testing and certification tips:

1. Engage third-party labs for periodic validation, especially for mechanical and fire performance
2. Maintain up-to-date training for personnel in sampling and acceptance tests
3. Document every phase: from order placement, through design, to delivery and periodic inspection

Conclusion & Next Steps

The February 2026 release of these crucial international standards sets a higher bar for materials handling equipment—especially conveyor belts. Organizations that act early to adopt these requirements will gain competitive advantage, ensure regulatory compliance, and—most importantly—safeguard their workforce and assets.

Key takeaways:

• Update all procurement and production protocols to align with EN ISO 14890:2026 and ISO 14890:2026 for surface belts
• For underground installations, prioritize compliance with FprEN ISO 15236-3’s advanced safety requirements
• Leverage official designation, performance, and buyer-supplier frameworks for consistent global operations

Recommendations:

• Review detailed standard documents and audit current processes
• Engage with suppliers to verify conformance and documentation
• Subscribe to industry updates to ensure future compliance as standards evolve

Explore the complete standards library and obtain official documents on iTeh Standards to stay at the forefront of industry transformation.