November 2025: New Standards for Conveyor Belts and Earth-Moving Safety

Staying compliant and ensuring safety in materials handling operations is more critical than ever, especially with new international standards arriving this November 2025. For professionals engaged with conveyor systems or earth-moving machinery, two new standards have been published—delivering updated testing methods, performance requirements, and safety benchmarks. These updates impact manufacturers, quality managers, engineers, and compliance strategists, helping them adapt to evolving industry needs and regulatory landscapes.

Overview / Introduction

Materials handling equipment forms the backbone of logistics, manufacturing, mining, and construction sectors worldwide. The efficiency, reliability, and safety of equipment such as conveyor belts and earth-moving machines significantly influence operational productivity and workplace safety.

International standards in this area set the bar for product testing, design requirements, and operational safety—ensuring components perform reliably under defined conditions and protecting both operators and assets. In this article, you will find:

• Summaries of two newly released standards in November 2025
• Detailed overviews of technical requirements
• Practical compliance considerations and benefits of adoption
• Insights for implementation and risk mitigation

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 21182:2025 - Light Conveyor Belts — Determination of the Coefficient of Friction

Light conveyor belts — Determination of the coefficient of friction

This international standard provides a comprehensive method for determining both the static and dynamic coefficients of friction for light conveyor belts, as defined in ISO 21183-1. Accurate measurement of these coefficients is vital for conveyor belt selection and system design, as friction values affect everything from operational efficiency to wear rates and system safety.

Key requirements and scope:

• Specifies clear test methods for dynamic and static friction coefficients (μD and μS)
• Covers preparation and conditioning of test pieces, suitable room conditions, and detailed apparatus setup
• Applies to light conveyor belts commonly used in logistics, warehousing, food handling, and packaging industries

The testing process described includes:

1. Conditioning the conveyor belt material
2. Preparing multiple test pieces and using standard reference surfaces
3. Employing force/path graph recording and careful calculation of friction coefficients up to specified upper limits (dynamic ≤ 1.0, static ≤ 1.5)

Who needs to comply: Manufacturers and users of light conveyor belts, procurement specialists, system designers in automated material handling, and quality management teams responsible for sourcing and specifying industrial conveyor products.

Practical implications:

• Enables direct performance comparison between belt products
• Supports selection of belts for specialized handling requirements or surface patterns
• Provides a consistent basis for technical documentation and procurement contracts

Notable changes from previous versions:

• Adds new requirements for test room conditions, supporting repeatable testing environments
• Expanded guidance on force/path diagram recording and interpretation

Key highlights:

• Standardized testing for both static and dynamic friction
• Applicability for a range of reference surfaces and belt types
• Specific guidance for buyers seeking product performance validation

Access the full standard:View ISO 21182:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 6683:2025 - Earth-Moving Machinery — Seat-Belt Assemblies and Seat-Belt Anchorages — Performance Requirements and Tests (ISO 6683:2025)

Earth-moving machinery — Seat-belt assemblies and seat-belt anchorages — Performance requirements and tests (ISO 6683:2025)

Published collaboratively by CEN and ISO, this standard establishes modernized minimum performance requirements and testing protocols for seat-belt assemblies and anchorages in earth-moving machinery. The main purpose is to maintain the security of the machine operator within a roll-over protective structure (ROPS) or tip-over protection structure (TOPS) in the event of accidents.

What this standard covers:

• Details static and dynamic load tests simulating real-world roll-over or tip-over forces
• Sets out component requirements for seat-belt assemblies, anchorages, and restraint systems
• Includes specific criteria for systems exceeding certain seat mass values
• Cross-references established regulations and standards such as UNECE R16:2000 and SAE J386:2022 for compatibility

Target organizations:

• Manufacturers of earth-moving machinery (construction, mining, agriculture)
• Component and seat-belt producers
• Machine importers, fleet operators, and site safety managers

Implementation impact:

• Raises the benchmark for equipment safety and operator protection
• Assures clients and regulators of compliance with the latest international best practices
• Mandates removal of non-conforming legacy standards by May 2026, aligning the European market with ISO harmonization

Notable updates and changes:

• Adds guidance on higher seat mass systems (over 70 kg)
• Introduces TSIP (technical specification identification procedures)
• New informative annex summarizing relevant SAE J386:2022 clauses

Key highlights:

• Enhanced operator safety for roll-over and tip-over incidents
• Alignment with global safety expectations and cross-market consistency
• Clear test procedures for both seat-belt assemblies and the anchoring structures

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 6683:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Organizations deploying or manufacturing materials handling equipment must promptly align with these updated standards. Early adoption is essential to:

• Guarantee ongoing legal compliance and market access, especially in regulated EU markets
• Strengthen operator safety, reducing liability and potential compensation claims
• Benefit from the latest technical advances and globally accepted benchmarks

Non-compliance risks include:

• Product recalls and retrofitting costs
• Reputational damage
• Regulatory fines or restricted market participation

Compliance timelines:

• EN ISO 6683:2025 becomes mandatory for new machinery by May 2026
• ISO 21182:2025 is effective immediately for all new projects and product assessments in procurement

Benefits of adoption:

• Enhanced product reliability and operator safety
• Streamlined procurement with standardized documentation and performance criteria
• Improved compatibility with international tenders and customer requirements

Technical Insights

Both standards emphasize:

• Consistent, repeatable laboratory testing: Clear instructions for conditioning, apparatus, and methods
• Clear documentation and reporting: Directives for force/path recording and reporting results enable transparency for regulators and clients
• Alignment with international benchmarks: References to UNECE and SAE documents fortify cross-jurisdictional compliance

Best practices for implementation:

1. Conduct gap assessments of existing equipment and testing protocols
2. Update documentation and procurement specifications to reference the new standards
3. Train relevant staff on new testing and reporting requirements
4. For EN ISO 6683:2025, establish supplier declarations of conformity and validate seat-belt systems during purchasing and commissioning

Testing and certification considerations:

• Work with accredited labs familiar with ISO/CEN procedures
• Maintain calibration certificates for testing apparatus
• Archive test reports to demonstrate due diligence during audits or tenders

Conclusion / Next Steps

The November 2025 release of ISO 21182:2025 and EN ISO 6683:2025 marks a significant update for the materials handling equipment sector. Whether specifying new conveyor belt systems or upgrading earth-moving machinery, adherence to these standards is essential for safety, quality, and market competitiveness.

Next steps for organizations:

• Download and review the full standards on the iTeh Standards website
• Update internal compliance and procurement documents
• Engage staff and suppliers in training on new requirements
• Schedule audits of existing equipment to identify areas for improvement

Professionals and organizations committed to operational excellence and risk mitigation should stay ahead by implementing these updated requirements now. Explore the detailed standards today and reinforce your leadership in industry best practices and regulatory compliance.