December 2025: New Standards for Fibre Optics and Pressure Sensors Released

The December 2025 publication period has ushered in five influential international standards that are set to shape the future of telecommunications, audio, and video engineering. These newly released IEC standards focus on fibre optic interconnecting devices, passive components, and state-of-the-art pressure sensors. For industry professionals—ranging from network engineers to compliance specialists—understanding these changes is crucial to assuring optimal system performance, regulatory compliance, and technical leadership in a rapidly evolving sector.

Overview

The telecommunications, audio, and video engineering sector hinges on precise definitions, robust measurement techniques, and reliable components. International standards in this space not only drive interoperability and quality but also underpin safety, innovation, and market access. December 2025 marks a pivotal update with five new standards focusing on:

• Advanced test and measurement methods for fibre optic interconnections
• Reliable assessment of optical attenuation and return loss
• Precision pressure measurement in fibre optic sensor systems using fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs)

This article will guide you through each new standard, highlighting scope, key requirements, implementation implications, compliance strategies, and industry impact.

Detailed Standards Coverage

IEC 61300-3-7:2021 – Measurement of Wavelength-Dependent Attenuation and Return Loss in Single Mode Optical Components

Fibre optic interconnecting devices and passive components – Basic test and measurement procedures – Part 3-7: Examinations and measurements – Wavelength dependence of attenuation and return loss of single mode components

The latest edition of IEC 61300-3-7:2021 (published December 2025) details the standardized methods for evaluating the wavelength-dependent attenuation and return loss of two-port, single-mode passive fibre optic components (excluding DWDM devices). These measurement procedures are essential for verifying component integrity, minimizing signal loss, and ensuring consistent performance across telecom networks and data centers.

Scope & Requirements

• Applicable to two-port, single-mode (not DWDM) passive optical components
• Two key measurement cases: attenuation only; attenuation and return loss simultaneously
• Emphasizes tunable and broadband light source approaches, standardized equations for insertion and return loss, and detailed reporting

Who Needs to Comply

• Telecommunications providers
• Passive component manufacturers
• Network integrators
• Testing laboratories

Implementation & Changes

The 2025 update simplifies historic measurement methods, aligns with current industry practices, and clearly defines apparatus requirements (power meters, light sources, depolarizers, reference cords). Notable updates from the prior version include:

• Reduction in alternative test methods to streamline and globalize industry practice
• Rearticulated logarithmic formulas common in engineering
• Enhanced guidance on fibre terminations and detailed discussion of light source characterization
• Simplification of bi-directional testing and removal of stand-alone return loss-only procedures

Key highlights:

• Harmonizes measurement procedures with modern manufacturing and testing environments
• Clear differentiation between attenuation-only and combined measurements
• Increased focus on accurate reporting and system calibration

Access the full standard:View IEC 61300-3-7:2021 on iTeh Standards

Duplicate References – IEC 61300-3-7:2021 (as above)

This article covers three identical listings for IEC 61300-3-7:2021 due to its broad applicability and potentially discrete product segments across manufacturers and use cases. Please refer to the detailed coverage above for all three entries, as each points to identical technical requirements and process updates.

Access the full standard:View IEC 61300-3-7:2021 on iTeh Standards

Access the full standard:View IEC 61300-3-7:2021 on iTeh Standards

IEC 61757-8-1:2025 – Pressure Sensors Using Fibre Bragg Gratings

Fibre optic sensors - Part 8-1: Pressure measurement – Pressure sensors based on fibre Bragg gratings

IEC 61757-8-1:2025 introduces a comprehensive framework for pressure sensors using fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs)—an increasingly vital technology for high-precision pressure measurement in both gas and liquid environments. The standard defines core terminology, sensor architecture, and specialized measurement methodologies designed to support reliability and performance in demanding applications.

Scope & Requirements

• Applies to pressure sensors that use a diaphragm paired with FBGs for detection
• Specifies fundamental features: structure, reference wavelength, pressure conversion factor, stability, drift, hysteresis, and temperature/humidity requirements
• Defines robust procedures for sampling, measurement, calibration, and reporting

Who Needs to Comply

• FBG pressure sensor manufacturers
• Process and automation control engineers
• Instrumentation specialists in oil & gas, energy, and industrial automation
• Quality assurance/testing labs in optical sensor markets

Implementation & Key Concepts

The standard’s test methods address:

• Bragg wavelength measurement and calibration against certified references
• Pressure-to-wavelength conversion calculations
• Environmental stability (drift, creep, hysteresis)
• Detailed procedures for device sampling, test setup, statistical evaluation, and reporting

Key highlights:

• Holistic specification for both gas and liquid pressure sensing
• Clear test and reporting guidelines to support comparability and certification
• Facilitates integration with wider smart monitoring networks and analytics platforms

Access the full standard:View IEC 61757-8-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

Duplicate Reference – IEC 61757-8-1:2025 (as above)

This article features two listings of IEC 61757-8-1:2025, reflecting its broad relevance across segments. Please consult the previous entry for the complete technical analysis.

Access the full standard:View IEC 61757-8-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

How These Standards Affect Businesses

Adoption of these standards is essential for:

• Guaranteeing measurement accuracy and product reliability
• Meeting international market requirements and procurement specifications
• Streamlining testing and certification workflows
• Enabling interoperability across different vendors and systems

Compliance Considerations & Timelines

• New or upgraded product lines must be tested and documented in accordance with updated procedures
• Laboratory and field technicians must be trained on new apparatus configurations and reporting formats
• Supply chain and procurement operations should update technical requirements for incoming components and subsystems

Benefits of Adoption

• Reduced risk of system failure or downtime due to undetected optical loss or pressure inaccuracies
• Improved product quality and customer trust
• Easier access to global markets with harmonized test results

Risks of Non-Compliance

• Product recalls or rework costs
• Barriers to entry in regulated or spec-driven markets
• Potential liability for safety or performance failures

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

• Use of standardized test setups, including calibrated light sources, detectors, and environmental controls
• Emphasis on consistency in multi-method measurement approaches (e.g., attenuation-only vs. combined metrics)
• Clear, disambiguated test result reporting for comparability and traceability

Implementation Best Practices

1. Training: Ensure teams are familiar with the new test sequences, apparatus, and reporting forms.
2. Infrastructure: Invest in tunable or broadband light sources, depolarizers, and power meters compliant with the latest IEC requirements.
3. Calibration: Maintain traceability by using certified references for wavelength and attenuation measurement.
4. Environmental Control: For FBG pressure sensors, control temperature, humidity, and other variables crucial for reliable calibration.

Testing and Certification

• External certification bodies can provide conformity assessment services against IEC standards, bolstering confidence for global clients.
• Regular audits of test laboratories and documentation ensure persistent alignment with evolving editions.

Conclusion & Next Steps

December 2025's standards publications mark an important advance for telecommunications, audio, and video engineering. The new editions of IEC 61300-3-7:2021 and IEC 61757-8-1:2025 set a new bar for measurement accuracy, quality assurance, and system reliability—an essential foundation for tomorrow’s digital infrastructure.

Key takeaways:

• Adopt new measurement procedures for all relevant passive optical components and FBG-based pressure sensors
• Update internal quality, test, and procurement documentation to match the new requirements
• Train staff and reassess equipment readiness for compliance
• Leverage these standards to improve operational performance and competitive market standing

Explore these standards and stay at the forefront of industry best practice by accessing the full publications on iTeh Standards. For ongoing insights, subscribe to updates and ensure your organization remains compliant and competitive in this ever-evolving field.