PAPER TECHNOLOGY Standards Summary - October 2025

Looking back at October 2025, the PAPER TECHNOLOGY sector reflected a focus on testing procedures and laboratory consistency with the publication of two pivotal ISO standards. This article examines those standards—ISO 11093-2:2025 and ISO 5267-2:2025—offering sector professionals a structured review of key updates, trends, and actionable compliance guidelines. Whether you are a quality manager, engineer, or researcher, staying abreast of these developments supports continuous improvement and robust regulatory alignment in the Paper Technology field.

Monthly Overview: October 2025

October 2025 saw a concise but influential set of standards updates within the PAPER TECHNOLOGY sector, focusing on laboratory procedures critical to industry-wide product quality and performance. Specifically, the month featured:

• Enhanced standardization in sample conditioning for paper and board cores, strengthening repeatability and comparability in testing results.
• Updated methodologies for pulp drainability testing, notably through the refined Canadian Standard freeness method, offering laboratories greater methodological rigor.

This focus on laboratory and testing protocols recurs regularly within Paper Technology’s standardization cycles but stood out this month for its practical implications. By harmonizing sample preparation and testing methods, these standards support reproducibility across international laboratories—a theme that underscores the sector’s ongoing drive toward quality assurance and process control excellence.

Standards Published This Month

ISO 11093-2:2025 - Conditioning of Test Samples

Paper and board – Testing of cores – Part 2: Conditioning of test samples

ISO 11093-2:2025 sets forth unified requirements for the conditioning of test samples used in evaluating paper and board cores. It draws upon ISO 187, fleshing out the specific atmospheres and procedures necessary for preparing samples consistently prior to testing.

The primary scope of this standard is to ensure that test samples for paper and board cores are stabilized in controlled environments—such as prescribed temperature and relative humidity—before any mechanical or physical testing. The document outlines acceptable conditioning atmospheres, necessary apparatus (including conditioning rooms and measuring instrumentation), and detailed steps for pre-drying and conditioning samples. It concludes with emphasized reporting requirements, thus ensuring traceability in testing results.

Organizations involved in manufacturing or testing paper and board cores—such as quality control labs, manufacturing plants, and research institutions—benefit directly from this standard. Its adoption supports international harmonization, minimizes variability due to environmental factors, and provides a stable foundation for comparative performance analyses.

ISO 11093-2:2025 replaces previous versions by refining terminology, updating procedural clarity, and aligning closely with current best practices. Its role is foundational for all stakeholders committed to reproducible, comparable testing outcomes in core evaluation.

Key highlights:

• Standardizes conditioning atmospheres for core testing (per ISO 187)
• Prescribes apparatus, pre-drying steps, and reporting structure
• Ensures accurate, repeatable test results across labs and regions

Access the full standard: View ISO 11093-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 5267-2:2025 - "Canadian Standard" Freeness Method

Pulps – Determination of drainability – Part 2: “Canadian Standard” freeness method

ISO 5267-2:2025 comprehensively updates the widely used Canadian Standard freeness test for assessing the drainability of pulp suspensions. This method determines the rate at which water drains from a dilute pulp suspension—a crucial quality indicator for pulp and paper producers, impacting everything from process control to final paper characteristics.

Applicable to virtually all types of pulp in aqueous suspension, the standard provides detailed procedures for sample preparation, apparatus specifications (notably the Canadian Standard freeness tester), and measurement protocols. It also addresses challenges such as anomalous freeness readings in suspensions with high fines content, adds corrections for stock concentration and temperature, and mandates rigorous apparatus calibration.

Compared to previous editions, the 2025 revision removes outdated references, corrects contradictions, and clarifies result interpretation and reporting. The standard is essential for:

• Mill laboratory technicians
• Process control engineers
• Quality assurance specialists in pulp and paper manufacturing

By following ISO 5267-2:2025, organizations can produce reliable, internationally comparable data for optimization, benchmarking, and compliance purposes. The harmonization of this test also supports collaborative R&D, supplier validation, and regulatory submissions.

Key highlights:

• Defines the standard procedure for Canadian Standard freeness testing
• Mandates critical apparatus calibration and maintenance
• Updates annexes for corrections, equipment differences, and precision data

Access the full standard: View ISO 5267-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

An overarching theme in October 2025’s publications was the drive for methodological consistency and reliable test data in the Paper Technology sector. By focusing on standards that shape critical test preconditions (conditioning, drainability), ISO is facilitating a global foundation for fair product comparison and process improvement. This approach addresses lingering industry challenges such as:

• Variability in laboratory results due to uncontrolled test conditions
• The need for harmonized international benchmarks as supply chains globalize
• Increased demand for quality assurance in both raw materials and finished products

Notably, both standards published this month reinforce the importance of the laboratory environment—not just the test itself—in determining trustworthy outcomes. The refined methodologies echo sector-wide moves toward greater reproducibility, traceability, and transparency in quality documentation.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations affected by these October 2025 standards, the following guidelines are recommended:

1. Evaluation of Current Laboratory Procedures:

   • Audit temperature/humidity controls and sample handling protocols against the new requirements in ISO 11093-2:2025.
   • Confirm staff familiarity with conditioning atmospheres and pre-drying steps.

2. Equipment Calibration and Maintenance:

   • For ISO 5267-2:2025, verify that Canadian Standard freeness testers match the required calibration and maintenance routines detailed in the standard’s annexes.
   • Update or recalibrate measuring devices and environmental controls as necessary.

3. Documentation and Traceability:

   • Enhance reporting templates to capture all data points mandated by both standards (including environmental conditions and all deviations).

4. Timeline Considerations:

   • While ISO standards may not carry legal force unless referenced in contracts or regulations, industry best practice is to implement revised standards as soon as feasible—ideally, within one fiscal quarter of publication.

5. Resource Support:

   • Download full standards via iTeh Standards for detailed protocols and compliance checklists.
   • Engage in training or workshops where available to ensure understanding and implementation fidelity.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from October 2025

October 2025 brought renewed clarity and structure to laboratory procedures within PAPER TECHNOLOGY, with ISO 11093-2:2025 redefining conditioning for test samples and ISO 5267-2:2025 enhancing internationally aligned freeness testing. These updates are particularly impactful for quality assurance, laboratory management, and organizations seeking globally recognized benchmarks in paper and pulp testing.

For professionals in the sector, it is vital to:

• Review testing protocols and calibrate lab equipment in accordance with new standards
• Prioritize traceability and documentation for testing environments
• Recognize that harmonized, reproducible laboratory methods are a competitive advantage in quality, compliance, and innovation

Staying abreast of standards changes such as those published in October 2025 is essential for both regulatory readiness and strategic positioning in the global marketplace. Explore the full standards on iTeh Standards to ensure that your organization remains aligned with the sector’s evolving best practices.