November 2025: New Standards Advance Telecommunications & Audio-Video Engineering

November 2025 brings a significant update for professionals working in telecommunications and audio/video engineering. As part of an ongoing effort to ensure robust performance, compliance, and interoperability in modern communications systems, international standards organizations have released a suite of five essential standards. These updates are designed to address evolving challenges in EMC (electromagnetic compatibility), antenna/test site validation, waveguide and cable construction, and smart grid integration for smarter building and home systems.

This article (Part 2 of 4 in our monthly coverage) provides a detailed, practical overview of each new or revised standard—enabling engineers, compliance officers, procurement specialists, and researchers to make informed decisions and maintain leading-edge conformity across projects and operations.

Overview / Introduction

Telecommunications and audio/video engineering are at the heart of global connectivity and digital content delivery. Reliable network performance, interference mitigation, and seamless device integration depend fundamentally on clear, up-to-date international standards.

Why do standards matter in this sector?

• They ensure cross-vendor compatibility and performance reliability.
• They guide testing, installation, and manufacturing best practices.
• They support global compliance with regulatory requirements.
• They reduce operational risks and warranty costs.

In this article, you'll discover:

• What changed in five newly published international standards in November 2025.
• Key requirements, target audiences, and implications for each standard.
• Compliance and technical best practices for implementation.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN IEC 55016-1-4:2025 – Antennas & Test Sites for Radiated Disturbance Measurements

Specification for radio disturbance and immunity measuring apparatus and methods – Part 1-4: Antennas and test sites for radiated disturbance measurements

Radiated disturbance remains a prime concern in both telecommunications systems and AV engineering, where growing RF spectrum usage heightens the risk of electromagnetic interference (EMI). EN IEC 55016-1-4:2025 defines comprehensive specifications for the antennas and test sites used in measuring these disturbances, as well as immunity testing procedures for a wide range of devices and equipment.

Scope & Requirements:

• Defines physical and electrical parameters for antennas operating from 9 kHz to 18 GHz.
• Outlines validation and acceptance of test sites (e.g., OATS, SAC, FAR) for radiated disturbance measurements.
• Detailed procedures for the calibration, verification, and ongoing suitability of test equipment and antenna arrangements.
• Specifies measurement methods for compliance with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations.

Who needs to comply?

• Mandatory for manufacturers, testing labs, research institutions, and system integrators performing EMC testing or product certification in telecommunication and AV fields.

Practical Implications:

• Updated site validation and calibration procedures will affect facilities' accreditation and testing workflows.
• Ensures reliable, repeatable measurement results—directly influencing product market access and safety compliance.

Key highlights:

• Updated antenna requirements across critical frequency bands.
• Detailed test site validation protocols for EMI/EMC certification.
• Harmonized with European EMC directives and international best practices.

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 55016-1-4:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 60153-2:2025 – Ordinary Rectangular Hollow Metallic Waveguides

Hollow metallic waveguides – Part 2: Relevant specifications for ordinary rectangular waveguides

Waveguides are the backbone of RF signal conveyance in telecom, satellite, radar, and broadcast engineering. The newly revised IEC 60153-2:2025 specifies straight hollow metallic tubing with ordinary rectangular cross-sections, standardizing a wide frequency range from 320 MHz to 3.3 THz to meet next-generation network needs.

Scope & Requirements:

• Defines standardized types, dimensions, wall thicknesses, and allowable tolerances for rectangular waveguides (b-to-a ratio ~0.5).
• Coverage now extends to sub-millimeter wavelength applications, supporting emerging THz technologies.
• Specifies test methods for attenuation, quality inspection, and pressure sealing.
• Offers clarifications and corrections on materials, test procedures, and designation schemes.

Who needs to comply?

• Essential for manufacturers, system designers, and procurement specialists involved in RF and microwave equipment.
• Laboratories and certification bodies assessing waveguide components.

Practical Implications:

• Ensures compatibility and interchangeability of waveguides from different suppliers.
• Updated methods for calculating attenuation and selecting material references.

Notable changes from previous edition:

• Revised specification tables (size, tolerance, attenuation, corrected errors).
• Clarified formulas for attenuation, especially for copper waveguides.
• Updated designation schemes and added cross-references (Annex A).

Key highlights:

• Expanded frequency range and type catalogue.
• Relaxed tolerances for improved manufacturability.
• Clearer, harmonized terminology and test methods.

Access the full standard:View IEC 60153-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC TR 62746-2:2025 – Smart Grid to Smart Home/Building: Use Cases

Systems interface between customer energy management system and the power management system – Part 2: Use cases

IEC TR 62746-2:2025 delivers a thorough technical report on smart grid interoperability. It offers a reference set of architecture models, real-world user stories, and formal use cases—serving as a blueprint for integrating customer energy management systems (CEMS) with utility-grade power management.

Scope & Requirements:

• Presents a logical architecture model for smart grid-customer premises interface.
• Provides a rich set of updated user stories (scenarios for flexible energy usage, grid stability, demand-side management, PV integration, EV charging, etc.).
• Describes detailed use cases mapping out communication flows, message contents, and user/system actions.
• Blueprint for smart home/building solutions, including remote monitoring, demand response, and DER (distributed energy resource) flexibility.

Who should engage?

• Engineers and architects designing next-gen smart home or building management systems.
• Utilities, aggregators, and regulators working on interoperability standards for smart grids.
• Researchers creating or validating demand response and flexibility markets.

Practical Implications:

• Facilitates harmonized development and deployment of smart grid-capable customer systems.
• Supports compliance with evolving regulatory requirements for energy flexibility and DR (demand response).

Notable changes:

• Replacement of the Smart Grid Functional Architecture Model with the latest TC57 draft.
• Updated user stories and streamlined use cases for relevance.
• Expanded range of residential, commercial, and industrial scenarios.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive, up-to-date use case library for real-world testing.
• Practical mapping of user needs to technical messages and interfaces.
• Strong alignment with ongoing smart grid/DER regulatory trends.

Access the full standard:View IEC TR 62746-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 61196-1-114:2025 – Inductance Test for Coaxial Communication Cables

Coaxial communication cables – Part 1-114: Electrical test methods – Test for inductance

Reliable high-speed data transmission in telecommunication and AV installations relies on correct cable construction and quality assurance. The newly revised IEC 61196-1-114:2025 defines test methods for inductance in coaxial cables, supporting both routine manufacturing checks and advanced cable R&D.

Scope & Requirements:

• Specifies standardized procedures for measuring the inductance of coaxial cables.
• Details mandatory test sample lengths, layout (straight or bent), and equipment calibration.
• Introduces new guidelines for assessing the impact of cable bending on measured inductance.
• Updated terminology and formulae for clarity and consistency.

Who needs to comply?

• Cable manufacturers, QC engineers, laboratories, and system integrators.
• Technical managers overseeing transmission line performance and conformance.

Practical Implications:

• Ensures accurate inductance measurements, which are critical for impedance control and signal integrity in digital communications.
• Assists in troubleshooting and verifying installation quality, especially in space-constrained environments.

Notable changes from previous edition:

• Revised term "inductance" and updated abbreviated terms.
• New measuring procedures and calibration steps.
• Inclusion of analysis and guidance on the bending effect (Annex A).

Key highlights:

• Robust, reproducible measurement methods for inductance.
• Correction factors for bent samples.
• Improved test report formatting and conditions.

Access the full standard:View IEC 61196-1-114:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Effect on Businesses and Stakeholders

• Product designers gain clearer guidelines for developing telecommunications and AV devices that meet EMC and RF propagation requirements.
• Testing laboratories must upgrade procedures and facilities to maintain or achieve accreditation, particularly as antenna/test site and cable testing protocols are revised.
• Procurement managers benefit from improved component interchangeability, backed by unified requirements for cable and waveguide specifications.
• Utilities and smart infrastructure providers can accelerate deployment of smart grid and home/building management solutions with standardized interfaces.

Compliance Considerations & Timelines

• Transition periods for newly published standards may vary; organizations should check national adoption and mandated implementation dates.
• Early engagement mitigates regulatory risks—especially for export markets or projects with long lifecycles.
• Regular audits and gap analyses are recommended, focusing on documentation, measurement traceability, and test facility validations.

Benefits of Adopting These Standards

• Assurance of market access via recognized international compliance.
• Reduced warranty/maintenance costs through design-for-compliance.
• Lower risk of failed regulatory testing and associated project delays.

Risks of Non-compliance

• Fines, product recalls, or bans on non-compliant equipment.
• Increased costs from failed certifications or forced design rework.
• Brand/reputational damage and loss of stakeholder trust.

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

• Precise validation of test sites: Both radiated disturbance and cable inductance standards demand detailed site and sample validation for accurate results.
• Component interchangeability: Harmonized definitions and expanded catalogs (especially for waveguides) drive better cross-industry compatibility.
• Clear reporting and traceability: Updated test reports and measurement protocols enhance auditability and technical reliability.

Implementation Best Practices

1. Update internal documentation: Align company test methods, specs, and training with the revised standards.
2. Benchmark existing equipment: Ensure all measuring apparatus, antennas, test sites, and calibration records are compliant.
3. Regular audits: Schedule periodic reviews for accredited test facilities and manufacturing processes.
4. Stakeholder communication: Notify clients and suppliers of changed requirements, clarifying new tolerances, reporting formats, or interoperability constraints.

Testing and Certification Considerations

• Antennas and test sites: Periodically recertify and maintain detailed logs per EN IEC 55016-1-4:2025 guidance.
• Waveguides and cables: Employ the latest test methods for attenuation and inductance, ensuring robust statistical sampling and reporting for batch acceptance.
• Smart grid interface systems: Implement use case-driven test protocols to validate real-world interoperability scenarios.

Conclusion / Next Steps

The November 2025 release of these five standards marks a substantial leap forward in the standardization of telecommunications and audio/video engineering systems. Organizations that proactively align their design, testing, procurement, and certification processes with these new requirements will unlock operational efficiencies, accelerate time-to-market, and strengthen their compliance risk posture.

Key Takeaways:

• Adopt the updated standards now to future-proof your business.
• Engage in continuous professional development by reviewing each standard in depth.
• Coordinate with accredited labs and regulatory bodies to ensure seamless compliance.

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