Retrospective Analysis: TESTING Standards Published in July 2025 (Part 1)

Looking back at July 2025, the Testing sector saw the publication of five significant standards, representing a diverse cross-section of environmental, electronic, and non-destructive testing methodologies. This retrospective overview synthesizes key developments reflected in these documents, which include advancements in solderability testing, robust guidance on environmental sequential test planning, and deeper specification for ultrasonic inspection—especially Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD) techniques. For professionals involved in quality assurance, compliance, and product development, this summary offers context, technical insights, and practical implications for integrating these standards into organizational practices.

Monthly Overview: July 2025

The standardization activity in TESTING during July 2025 was characterized by a notable focus on environmental reliability and non-destructive evaluation. The five standards published collectively emphasize:

• Improved methodologies for evaluating electronic components’ response to environmental conditions
• A refined approach to planning and documenting climatic sequential tests
• Continued expansion and clarification of non-destructive ultrasonic testing, especially for weld inspection and flaw sizing
• Harmonization of regulatory guidance across multiple international bodies (ISO, IEC, CEN, and CLC)

Compared to previous months, July 2025 stands out for its detailed attention to both the theoretical underpinning and practical execution of key test techniques. This trend underscores the industry’s ongoing drive for accuracy, repeatability, and harmonized international compliance, especially amidst rising complexity in electromechanical products and stricter quality demands across sectors such as electronics, energy, automotive, construction, and manufacturing.

Standards Published This Month

EN IEC 60068-2-83:2025 – Solderability Testing for Electronic SMDs Using the Wetting Balance Method

Environmental testing – Part 2-83: Tests – Test Tf: Solderability testing of electronic components for surface mounting devices (SMD) by the wetting balance method using solder paste

This standard provides procedures for comparative assessment of solderability in surface-mount electronic components (SMDs), particularly targeting the performance of metallic or metallized terminations with solder paste. Unlike qualitative methods, the wetting balance technique offers a quantitative approach to assess wettability, although results are not intended for absolute pass/fail decisions. The methodology includes detailed protocols for preconditioning, equipment setup, test execution, and result analysis.

This edition incorporates significant revisions to equipment and procedural specifics in alignment with IEC 60068-2-20:2021, ensuring consistency in solderability evaluation. The document also references alternative test methods within the IEC 60068 family, clarifying the scope and best use of the wetting balance method versus visual and solder bath tests.

Key industry users include electronics manufacturers, quality labs, and component suppliers seeking to optimize assembly reliability and meet customer or regulatory requirements.

Key highlights:

• Detailed wetting balance test procedures for SMDs using solder paste
• Revised Clause 5 ensures harmonization with related solderability standards
• Differentiates this method from visual and alternative balance tests for comprehensive quality assessment

Access the full standard:View EN IEC 60068-2-83:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 16828:2025 – Non-destructive Ultrasonic TOFD Testing (CEN Edition)

Non-destructive testing – Ultrasonic testing – Time-of-flight diffraction technique for detection and sizing of discontinuities (ISO 16828:2025)

Serving as a joint ISO and CEN publication, this standard defines the application of the time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) technique for detection and accurate sizing of flaws in low-alloyed carbon steel components. It extends to other materials, provided appropriate adjustments are made for material geometry and acoustic properties.

This standard is especially relevant to weld inspection but also expected to benefit industries utilizing thick-walled steel structures in pressure vessels, pipelines, and heavy manufacturing. The standard outlines:

• Test setup, including probe selection and configuration
• Sensitivity setting and system calibration
• Data analysis, characterization, and reporting

It delineates applicability across various categories of test objects (as per ISO 16811) with specific restrictions and guidance for complex geometries. References to ISO 10863 (weld testing) and ISO 15626 (acceptance criteria) reinforce best practices in practical deployment.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive guidance on TOFD implementation in non-destructive ultrasonic testing
• Applicability to a wide range of materials and test object categories
• Clarification of system setup, calibration, and data interpretation procedures

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 16828:2025 on iTeh Standards

IEC 60068-3-14:2025 – Guidance for Developing Climatic Sequential Tests

Environmental testing – Part 3-14: Supporting documentation and guidance – Developing a climatic sequential test

This pioneering document introduces a systematic approach for designing climatic sequential test programs that mirror real-world environmental exposure throughout the product lifecycle—encompassing transportation, storage, operation, and maintenance. Rather than prescribing fixed test conditions, the standard offers a staged methodology:

1. Review of environmental requirements and life-cycle analysis
2. Identification of critical environments and refinement of test sequences
3. Preparation and verification of the sequential test program for technical credibility and cost effectiveness

Particularly relevant to designers, manufacturers, and users of electronic, electrical, and electromechanical equipment, this guidance helps organizations customize test sequences to specific products while considering cumulative and hysteretic effects of environmental stress. The standard is instrumental for sectors where climatic durability is critical to safety, reliability, and market acceptance.

Key highlights:

• Systematic methodology for constructing product-specific test sequences
• Emphasizes the importance of test order and cumulative/hysteretic effects
• Useful reference for ensuring products are robust against real-life use environments

Access the full standard:View IEC 60068-3-14:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 16828:2025 – Ultrasonic TOFD Testing for Discontinuity Detection and Sizing

Non-destructive testing – Ultrasonic testing – Time-of-flight diffraction technique for detection and sizing of discontinuities

As a direct ISO publication (and technically equivalent to EN ISO 16828:2025), this standard details the core principles, setup, and reporting requirements for TOFD-based ultrasonic testing. It is tailored for both the detection and sizing of discontinuities—especially in carbon steels, but adaptable to other material types. Coverage includes:

• Personnel qualification
• Equipment and probe requirements
• Calibration and sensitivity selection
• Data interpretation strategies
• Considerations for complex geometries, including restrictions and specialized procedures

The 2025 revision brings terminology updates (e.g., “dead zone” renamed as “obscured zone”), clarifies symbols, refines test formulas, and bolsters data analysis and scan algorithm methodologies.

Key stakeholders are NDT service providers, plant operators, and QA teams involved in infrastructure safety assessments, particularly in oil/gas, petrochemical, and construction sectors.

Key highlights:

• Core requirements for the TOFD method in non-destructive inspection
• Detailed guide for flaw detection, sizing, and reporting
• Revised terminology and improved calibration protocols

Access the full standard:View ISO 16828:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

Several clear patterns emerge from these July 2025 TESTING standards publications. First, the harmonization of protocols—especially the close alignment and cross-reference between ISO and EN/IEC versions—demonstrates the drive for global consistency in quality and safety expectations. The expanded attention to sequential environmental testing reflects greater industry recognition of lifecycle effects, moving beyond single-point test regimens to more sophisticated, realistic test sequences.

In non-destructive testing, there’s a notable trend towards refining advanced ultrasonic techniques like TOFD, driven by their increasing adoption in safety-critical applications and the demand for precise, reliable flaw characterization. This is supported by updates in terminology, test setup, and calibration best practices. Further, the environmental testing standards emphasize flexibility and practical guidance for developing fit-for-purpose programs, indicating broader applicability across product types and industries.

Across sectors—especially in electronics, automotive, infrastructure, and energy—these standards respond to industry calls for robust testing methodologies, traceable compliance, and the anticipation of field failure modes.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

For organizations impacted by these July 2025 TESTING standards, several practical steps should be prioritized:

• Gap Analysis: Assess current testing protocols against new/updated requirements. Pay particular attention to changes in setup, calibration, and reporting for TOFD or climatic sequential tests.
• Personnel Training: Ensure that staff, especially those involved in non-destructive testing or environmental program development, are trained to new protocols, and are familiar with updated terminology and criteria.
• Equipment Calibration: Verify that all instruments—especially ultrasonic inspection equipment—are capable of meeting outlined precision and record-keeping requirements.
• Documentation Updates: Update company procedures, work instructions, and quality manuals to reflect the new standards. Where applicable, align internal protocols with harmonized terminology and definitions.
• Timeline Planning: Many of the standards specify transition periods for compliance; organizations should map out milestones for full implementation, including any necessary procurement or retraining.
• Stakeholder Communication: Inform clients and supply chain partners of changes to testing processes or acceptance criteria to ensure smooth contractual or regulatory audits.

For further information, accessing the full texts via iTeh Standards ensures detailed compliance.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from July 2025

• Impactful Standards: July 2025’s publications mark a step-change in the TESTING sector’s pursuit of precision, reliability, and harmonized compliance. Environmental testing advances now underpin strategies for lifecycle durability, while non-destructive inspection benefits from more rigorous, universally accepted TOFD protocols.
• Strategic Recommendations: Test labs, quality managers, and engineers should prioritize transition to the new methodologies, ensuring staff and equipment are fully aligned with revised requirements. Documentation and reporting must keep pace with evolving best practices.
• Ongoing Importance: Staying current with such standards is not only vital for market competitiveness, but also for sustaining regulatory clearance, mitigating liability, and delivering products with robust performance in real-world conditions.
• Explore Further: Professionals are encouraged to review each standard in detail—and benchmark them against their organization’s quality and compliance strategies—by visiting iTeh Standards.

Whether your focus is electronics manufacturing, structural safety, or lifecycle reliability, these July 2025 TESTING standards offer the latest technical baseline for best-in-class product assessment.