Shipbuilding Standards Summary – October 2025 (Part 1 of 2)

Looking back at October 2025, the Shipbuilding and Marine Structures sector witnessed a notable period of standardization, particularly in small craft safety, buoyancy, and marine electrical systems. Five significant standards were published during this month, addressing stability and buoyancy for various vessel types and lengths, as well as advancing electrical safety, especially regarding flammable atmospheres. For professionals across engineering, compliance, quality, and procurement, this overview distills the month's technical developments and their broader industry impact, providing essential context and analysis for effective implementation.

Monthly Overview: October 2025

October 2025 was marked by a pronounced focus on enhancing both the safety and technical rigor of small craft and marine electrical installations. The release of the complete EN ISO 12217 series—Parts 1, 2, and 3—represented a comprehensive revision of stability and buoyancy standards, with implications for vessels from under 6 meters to 24 meters in hull length, both sailing and non-sailing. Simultaneously, electrical safety was reinforced through the update to IEC 60092-352, addressing modern cable selection and installation demands for advanced ship systems, and via FprEN ISO 8846, which sharpened ignition protection requirements for electrical devices.

When compared to standard publication patterns, this month stood out for delivering both a suite of harmonized vessel standards in a single tranche and simultaneous advancements in core electrical safety documents. These developments not only respond to technological progress in boat construction and electrification but also reflect a broader industry commitment to risk reduction in response to evolving regulatory, operational, and environmental challenges.

For industry professionals, October 2025’s standards publications provide a detailed roadmap for compliance and product development in a market increasingly shaped by international safety, design, and environmental expectations.

Standards Published This Month

EN ISO 12217-1:2025 – Stability and Buoyancy for Non-Sailing Boats (≥6 m)

Small craft – Stability and buoyancy assessment and categorization – Part 1: Non-sailing boats of hull length greater than or equal to 6 m (ISO 12217-1:2022)

EN ISO 12217-1:2025 details comprehensive methods for evaluating the stability and buoyancy characteristics of intact non-sailing vessels with hull lengths from 6 to 24 meters. The assessment includes flotation criteria applicable to boats at risk of swamping and provides a basis for assigning each vessel a design category (A, B, C, or D) that aligns with its construction and maximum load. Habitable multihulls are considered with added assessment of inversion susceptibility and mandatory escape routes in the event of capsizing, ensuring occupant survival and rescue.

This standard is a cornerstone for manufacturers, naval architects, and certifying bodies responsible for designing, building, or evaluating small craft. Its provisions extend to certain undecked boats under 6 meters if higher categories are desired. However, it specifically excludes inflatable vessels under ISO 6185, personal watercraft, pedalos, submersibles, and hydrofoils when not operating in displacement mode.

Key highlights:

• Establishes uniform methods for assessing stability and buoyancy for non-sailing craft ≥6 m
• Defines the process for design category allocation (A–D) based on risk environment
• Incorporates requirements for multihull escape and inverted flotation, driven by real-world safety incidents

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 12217-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 12217-2:2025 – Stability and Buoyancy for Sailing Boats (≥6 m)

Small craft – Stability and buoyancy assessment and categorization – Part 2: Sailing boats of hull length greater than or equal to 6 m (ISO 12217-2:2022)

Targeting sailing vessels of hull length between 6 and 24 meters, EN ISO 12217-2:2025 prescribes rigorous procedures for verifying stability, buoyancy, and flotation performance. The new edition strengthens the criteria required for design category assignment, especially for sailing monohulls and multihulls. It introduces a quantitative approach to factors like righting energy, static stability index (STIX), and inversion recovery—vital for high-performance or offshore sailboats—while retaining flexibility for small or auxiliary-powered sailboats through alternative assessment procedures.

This standard is fundamental for designers, builders, and technical inspectors aiming for accredited certification or CE marking in regulated markets. The 2025 update aligns with the latest practices in small craft design and risk management, referencing cockpit drainage (ISO 11812) and further clarifying exclusions for inflatables, surfboards, and foil-stabilized boats when not in displacement mode.

Key highlights:

• Applies to all sailboats ≥6 meters, with special protocols for habitable multihulls
• Integrates advanced stability calculations (STIX) and explicit capsize recovery tests
• Links closely to owner’s manual requirements and post-construction documentation

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 12217-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 12217-3:2025 – Stability and Buoyancy for Boats (<6 m)

Small craft – Stability and buoyancy assessment and categorization – Part 3: Boats of hull length less than 6 m (ISO 12217-3:2022)

EN ISO 12217-3:2025 rounds out the series, addressing small craft under 6 meters, regardless of propulsion method, with the exception of habitable multihulls. It delivers the methodology for classifying boats under categories C and D, establishing the lower baseline for recreational vessel safety in protected and inshore waters. Downflooding prevention, flotation testing, and recovery from capsize form the core technical requirements, reflecting the increased risk profile of small open boats.

For stakeholders in design, production, and quality assurance of compact recreational or working craft, compliance to this standard is often a prerequisite under European legislation and international voluntary certification.

Key highlights:

• Specific, practical test protocols for downflooding, offset loading, and wind-induced heel
• Scope enables adoption for a wide array of non-conventional small boats, improving inclusivity
• Recommends automatic drainage and flotation material specifications to reduce swamping risks

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 12217-3:2025 on iTeh Standards

FprEN ISO 8846 – Protection Against Ignition in Electrical Devices

Small craft – Electrical devices – Protection against ignition of surrounding flammable gases (ISO/FDIS 8846:2025)

The FprEN ISO 8846 standard addresses the critical need for shipboard electrical equipment to operate safely in potentially flammable atmospheres, typical of modern fuel and battery spaces. It introduces robust test methods, marking requirements, and design principles so that devices do not pose an ignition risk during operation. Major updates since the previous edition include clarified definitions, an expanded range of equipment types, and extra provisions for alternators and accessories.

This standard is essential for marine electrical designers, equipment manufacturers, shipbuilders, and those charged with safety and maintenance, especially as alternative fuels and electrification increase the risk of explosive atmospheres in confined compartments. It links directly to regulatory directives (such as 2013/53/EU for RCD compliance), helping position products for international acceptance.

Key highlights:

• Explicit test requirements for both sealed and non-sealed devices
• New marking protocols to streamline installation and maintenance verification
• Excludes hydrogen-specific risks and external ignition sources, clarifying scope boundaries

Access the full standard:View FprEN ISO 8846 on iTeh Standards

IEC 60092-352:2025 – Electrical Installations in Ships: Cables

Electrical installations in ships – Part 352: Selection, installation, and operating conditions of cables

IEC 60092-352:2025 details foundational requirements for shipboard cable selection, installation, and operational contexts, supporting voltages up to Um 18/30 (36) kV and now including fibre optic and symmetrical category cables. This fourth edition represents a major revision, harmonizing with other IEC 60092 series documents and directly addressing the needs of increasingly complex electrical architectures in ships. Significant updates include the integration of detailed installation procedures for high-speed data cables, new criteria for hazardous zones, expanded fire performance requirements, and the inclusion of correction factors for cable grouping and intermittent service.

For designers, marine electrical engineers, and procurement personnel, conformance to this standard is typically required for new builds, retrofits, and upgrades, underpinning class society and flag state requirements. The nuanced approach to installation, electromagnetic interference, and safety provides both flexibility and robustness in modern ship electrical design.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive coverage for fixed installation cables, including fibre optics
• Introduces new tables, figures, and test procedures for advanced cable types
• Defines special measures for zones with explosive atmospheres and evolving SOLAS safety rules

Access the full standard:View IEC 60092-352:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

A recurring theme across the October 2025 standards is the pursuit of integrated safety through systemic risk management—embracing buoyancy, stability, and electrical hazard reduction within a harmonized international framework. The synchronised release of EN ISO 12217 parts highlights the increasing regulatory expectation for end-to-end vessel assessment, from design through post-market surveillance. Meanwhile, electrical standards FprEN ISO 8846 and IEC 60092-352 signify the sector’s prioritization of fire/explosion risk mitigation within the context of technological convergence and the growing adoption of high-power and data systems.

The emphasis on clear test protocols, expanded applicability, and user-focused documentation suggests a trend toward reducing ambiguity, facilitating enforcement, and driving uniformity in compliance processes. Additionally, a focus on design and installation adaptability—spanning small craft to large vessels and legacy to cutting-edge electrical systems—speaks to the industry's response to both legacy challenges and emergent technologies like automation and alternative propulsion.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations affected by these standards, October 2025’s publications should trigger immediate internal reviews of both technical specifications and compliance assurance processes:

• Prioritize staff training on new and revised assessment protocols in stability, buoyancy, and electrical safety.
• Revisit owner’s and operator’s manuals, updating them to meet the expanded documentation and marking requirements called for in the new EN ISO 12217 series.
• Audit existing designs and installations against the new cable, flotation, and ignition protection criteria, especially when preparing for retrofits, post-market surveillance, or recertification.
• Work proactively with notified bodies and class societies to clarify transitional arrangements and secure compliance pathways under EU and IMO frameworks.
• Engage with supply chains early to ensure all procured components and systems are attested to the latest standards, minimizing the risk of costly late-stage project deviations.

Key implementation timelines should synchronize with local regulatory adaptation, noting that adoptions of EN and IEC standards may have differing grace periods depending on jurisdiction and association with directives such as the RCD or SOLAS.

Resources to facilitate implementation include:

• Downloadable checklists and compliance worksheets from iTeh Standards
• Technical seminars and webinars on the new requirements
• Consultation with professional associations for interpretation and best practice benchmarking

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from October 2025

October 2025 stands out as a milestone month in the Shipbuilding and Marine Structures sector, with coordinated updates spanning stability, buoyancy, and electrical safety. The new EN ISO 12217 series delivers clarity and cohesion for small craft across all sizes and types, while updates to FprEN ISO 8846 and IEC 60092-352 modernize electrical safety for both new builds and refits. For practitioners in design, compliance, and procurement, these standards set the trajectory for safer, more resilient, and future-ready vessels.

To remain competitive and compliant in a demanding regulatory environment, professionals should:

• Review all affected products and processes for alignment with these revised and new standards
• Leverage the resources and expert guidance available from iTeh Standards
• Embrace a proactive compliance stance to minimize operational risks and maximize market access

For further details and to access the full text of these standards, visit iTeh Standards—your comprehensive resource for the latest in international marine and shipbuilding standardization.