December 2025: New Standards for Building Plastics and Commercial Tyre Safety Released

The close of 2025 ushers in a fresh wave of standards critical to the rubber and plastics industries, impacting both the construction and automotive sectors. Professionals will find key updates covering the designation of PVC-U and PVC-UE profiles for building applications, as well as robust laboratory methods for testing truck and bus tyres. With four newly published standards, December’s releases enhance quality, sustainability, and safety across widely-used synthetic materials and components. Read on for technical breakdowns, compliance strategies, and expert insights into what these changes mean for your business.

Overview / Introduction

The rubber and plastics industries are foundational to a vast range of modern applications. High-performance plastics fuel innovation in building, automotive, energy, and packaging markets, while elastomers deliver durability in everything from tyres to sealing solutions. Maintaining global competitiveness and public safety in these fields relies on rigorous, harmonized standards governing material properties, testing, and designation.

In December 2025, the formal publication of EN 13245-1:2025, EN 13245-3:2025, ISO 10454:2025, and ISO 15222:2025 marks a milestone for both building materials and commercial vehicle safety. This article delivers:

• Background on the new/revised standards for PVC profiles and commercial tyres
• Analysis of technical requirements, scope, and compliance impacts
• Guidance on industry adoption and risk mitigation
• Direct access to each standard via iTeh Standards

Stay ahead of regulatory demands and market expectations—whether you’re an engineer, quality manager, compliance officer, or procurement specialist.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN 13245-1:2025 – PVC-U Profiles for Building Applications Designation

Plastics – Unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) profiles for building applications – Part 1: Designation of PVC-U profiles

This European Standard establishes a clear system for designation of PVC-U profiles used in building, supporting product specification and technical transparency throughout the supply chain. Unlike product marking, this system is aimed at technical documentation, ensuring that design, material selection, and performance verification are based on a common language.

Scope & Key Requirements:

• Applies to all mono- or co-extruded PVC-U profiles of any color, with/without surface finishing (foil, paint, print).
• Excludes profiles for electrical ducting, windows/doors, and guttering (covered by other standards).
• Classification covers several profile types (1–5) based on production and finishing method.
• Five-part coding system details type, application, material properties (Vicat softening temperature, modulus of elasticity), profile properties (linear mass, heat reversion, impact resistance), and durability.
• Defines required and optional characteristics for surface finishes and promotes design-for-recycling principles.

Notable Changes from Previous (2010) Edition:

• Updated scope and normative references
• New profile type (Type 5: print-covered), process-specific designations
• Enhanced peel test method for foiled profiles
• New clause on recyclability requirements
• Updated test apparatus for strength verification

Who Should Comply:

• Manufacturers and suppliers of PVC-U building profiles
• Construction engineers and product specifiers
• Quality and compliance managers across the construction supply chain

Implementation Implications: Organizations must update technical literature, procurement documentation, and internal specifications to align with the new designation and property codes. Integrating recyclability design and enhanced durability criteria will also support sustainable building initiatives.

Key highlights:

• Fully codified material/property system for all PVC-U profile types
• Mandatory surface finish and durability benchmarks
• Focus on product lifecycle and recyclability

Access the full standard:View EN 13245-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 13245-3:2025 – PVC-UE Profiles for Building Applications Designation

Plastics – Unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC-U) profiles for building applications – Part 3: Designation of PVC-UE profiles

EN 13245-3:2025 enables accurate designation of cellular PVC-UE profiles for use in the building sector. These profiles, known for their light weight and thermal performance, are essential in contemporary construction for wall, ceiling, and finishing applications.

Scope & Key Requirements:

• Applies to mono- and co-extruded cellular PVC profiles (PVC-UE) with a variety of surface finishes (foil, paint, print), of any color
• Not applicable to profiles for electrical management, doors/windows, or guttering
• Offers a property coding system similar to EN 13245-1 but tailored for cellular materials (modulus of elasticity, mass, heat reversion at 75 °C, impact resistance)
• Details durability assessment (artificial/natural ageing, color change, mechanical resistance, adhesion of surface finishing)
• Expands profile types to cover advanced finishing (including printed designs)
• Supports design-for-recycling and expanded property testing for critical profiles

Notable Changes from Previous (2010) Edition:

• Expanded profile types (adding print-covered profiles)
• Enhanced test procedures and terminology
• Additional requirements for surface finish durability and sustainability

Who Should Comply:

• Producers and users of cellular PVC-based construction profiles
• Architects and design engineers specifying wall, ceiling, or finish materials
• QA/QC teams at building materials suppliers

Implementation Implications: Stakeholders must implement the specific coding in documentation and ensure updated property verifications for all new or revised products. Surface finishing and recyclability features now play a greater role in qualifying for technical specifications or project requirements.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive designation/code system for cellular PVC profiles
• Harmonized durability and finishing assessment
• Clearly defined test and reporting methods for property and quality assurance

Access the full standard:View EN 13245-3:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 10454:2025 – Laboratory Test Methods for Truck and Bus Tyres

Truck and bus tyres – Verifying tyre capabilities – Laboratory test methods

This newly revised ISO standard details laboratory test procedures for verifying structural and performance capabilities of truck and bus tyres. The scope spans key performance criteria vital for road safety, vehicle uptime, and regulatory compliance.

Scope & Key Requirements:

• Applies to all truck and bus tyre types regardless of class or fitment
• Specifies standardized equipment—test drums, plungers, and inflation gauges
• Outlines three fundamental tests:
  • Strength test: Evaluates tyre integrity, bead, and tread cohesion
  • Endurance test: Stress-tests tyres under simulated road conditions, with adjustments for speed and load index
  • High-speed performance test: Vital for light commercial (LT/C) tyres at ≥150 km/h
• Establishes procedural details (sample preparation, measurement accuracy, environmental controls)

Does not grade tyre performance or quality but confirms conformity to minimum capability thresholds

• Includes provisions for newer high-load, high-speed categories and tyres lacking standard index markings

Notable Changes from Previous Edition (1993):

• Inclusion of high-speed tests for newer tyre types
• Updated endurance parameters and drum specifications
• Expanded test conditions for all relevant load indices and speed symbols

Who Should Comply:

• Tyre manufacturers and independent test labs
• Commercial vehicle OEMs and fleet operators
• Certification bodies and road safety authorities

Implementation Implications: Every new or modified truck/bus tyre offered to regulated markets must pass these laboratory tests under the conditions outlined. Testing labs must ensure equipment is modernized and procedures reflect the updated requirements. Quality and compliance divisions are responsible for updating test documentation and protocols.

Key highlights:

• Essential test procedures for all commercial truck and bus tyres
• Compatibility with evolving speed/load categories
• Ensures minimum safety and performance for commercial fleets

Access the full standard:View ISO 10454:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 15222:2025 – Measuring Wet Grip of Commercial Tyre Performance

Truck and bus tyres – Method for measuring relative wet grip performance – Loaded new tyres

ISO 15222:2025 specifies the methodology for determining the relative wet grip braking performance of new commercial tyres under real-world loaded conditions. This standard is instrumental in improving driving safety and informing buyers and regulators of key rubber performance characteristics.

Scope & Key Requirements:

• Applies to all truck and bus tyres (except studded or professional off-road tyres)
• Prescribes a reference-based approach (comparison to a standardized reference tyre) to control test variability
• Describes surface requirements for the test track (pavement macrotexture, homogeneity, water depth)
• Two main tested methods:
  • Vehicle method: Testing tyre sets on standard vehicles
  • Trailer/test vehicle method: One or two tyres mounted on specialized test equipment
• Covers all necessary prep steps—tyre inflation, break-in, load settings, test speeds, and environmental controls
• Outlines calculations for evaluating the relative wet grip index, supporting easy comparison between new tyre models
• Incorporates new reference tyres and test track/validation criteria

Notable Changes from Previous Edition (2021):

• Adds and updates standard reference/test tyres and validation methods
• Refines track characterization, storage, and measurement protocols for improved result accuracy

Who Should Comply:

• Manufacturers of truck, bus, and commercial tyres
• Test laboratories and certification bodies
• Commercial fleet managers focused on road safety

Implementation Implications: Manufacturers will need to update wet grip test routines, ensure track and laboratory compliance, and document comparative results for product listings and regulatory submission. Market leaders will use wet grip performance as a competitive differentiator, leveraging certified results in marketing.

Key highlights:

• Unified wet grip testing method for all commercial vehicle tyres
• Precise control of test variables increases repeatability
• Supports objective product labeling and safety claims

Access the full standard:View ISO 15222:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

High-quality, harmonized standards reduce ambiguity and liability across the rubber and plastics value-chain. The December 2025 standards:

• Require specifiers and manufacturers to revise product datasheets and testing protocols promptly
• Necessitate internal training for QA, R&D, and regulatory staff
• Demand collaboration with accredited testing laboratories and certification bodies
• Set clear timeframes for transitioning to new codes, property benchmarks, and documentation practices (national standards bodies typically enforce within 6–12 months)
• Improved recyclability and strict performance verification support both green building initiatives and road safety mandates

Risks of Non-Compliance:

• Ineligibility for projects or contracts requiring harmonized standards
• Regulatory fines and product recalls
• Loss of market share to compliant competitors

Benefits of Early Adoption:

• Streamlined tendering for construction and transport infrastructure
• Enhanced product claims and market reputation
• Lower litigation and warranty risk

Technical Insights

Several technical requirements run throughout these standards:

• Material property testing (softening temperature, modulus, impact resistance)
• Durability assessments (artificial/natural ageing, surface finish adhesion)
• Design documentation (full code-based designation for all applicable profiles)
• Performance verification (tyre structure, speed/load endurance, wet grip index)

Best Practices for Implementation:

1. Update Product Specifications: Redraft technical documents, datasheets, and catalogs using new designation systems.
2. Enhance Laboratory Capabilities: Ensure testing equipment and operator training meet updated procedural requirements.
3. Integrate Recyclability: Include ‘design for recycling’ criteria and material traceability.
4. Certification Readiness: Collaborate early with test labs and certification bodies; conduct gap analyses for all impacted product streams.

Testing & Certification:

• Only accredited laboratories should conduct relevant mechanical, environmental, and surface tests (as referenced in EN/ISO procedures).
• Maintain full traceability of test data for regulatory review and market audits.
• Keep summary certificates for project tendering or regulatory submission.

Conclusion / Next Steps

December 2025’s suite of international standards marks a leap forward for building materials and commercial tyre safety and performance within the rubber and plastics sector.

Key takeaways:

• Four major standards—two for building plastics, two for commercial tyres—now mandate new methods, testing procedures, and property designation systems.
• Compliance is critical to market access and maintaining quality leadership.
• Early adoption and internal training position companies to leverage future regulatory and market requirements.

Recommendations:

• Review and integrate designation and testing codes into departmental SOPs
• Collaborate proactively with testing agencies and supply chain partners
• Use iTeh Standards to access the official documents and stay updated on future revisions or sector-specific guidance

Explore the full standards, implementation resources, and compliance tools at iTeh Standards

Stay at the forefront of industry change—benchmark your products against the best practices outlined here, and ensure continual compliance and competitive differentiation as the global rubber and plastics industries evolve.