May 2026: New Construction Materials Standards Enhance Safety and Performance

Construction materials and building professionals should take note of four significant new and revised standards published in May 2026. These reflect advancements in safety, testing methodology, and electromagnetic compatibility, impacting a wide range of engineering, quality assurance, and project management activities. The standards set fresh benchmarks for electric storage water heaters, fibre-reinforced cementitious composites, and critical electrical requirements for lifts and related transport systems in buildings.

Overview / Introduction

Construction materials are the backbone of every built environment, and standards in this sector underpin the safety, durability, and compliance of construction projects worldwide. Effective implementation ensures that products and systems—whether water heaters, reinforced composites, or transport mechanisms—operate safely, perform as intended, and meet regulatory expectations.

This article explores four newly published standards from May 2026. Readers will learn about:

• Enhanced safety requirements for electric storage water heaters
• New direct tensile testing methods for advanced cementitious composites
• Revised electromagnetic compatibility emission and immunity specifications for lifts, escalators, and moving walks

Each standard brings important changes for design, procurement, testing, and on-site installation, helping industry professionals maintain compliance and drive innovation.

Detailed Standards Coverage

prEN IEC 60335-2-21:2024 – Safety for Storage Water Heaters

Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2-21: Particular requirements for storage water heaters

This newly revised standard addresses the safety of electric storage water heaters for both residential and comparable non-residential applications, including retrofitted immersion heater units in closed heat exchange systems. The scope is comprehensive, applying to devices with rated voltages up to 250 V (single-phase) and 480 V (other configurations, including DC and battery operation).

Key requirements include:

• Protection against electrical, mechanical, and thermal hazards
• Endurance and mechanical strength
• Moisture resistance, leakage current, electric strength
• Safety features for abnormal operation (such as thermal cutouts and pressure relief mechanisms)
• Requirements for marking, installation, and clear, user-friendly instructions

This edition introduces alignment with the latest IEC 60335-1:2020, converts many previously informative notes to strict requirements, and states new restrictions for appliance inlets. Additionally, it recognizes broader installation environments, including use by laypersons in public or semi-industrial settings such as shops and farms.

Who needs to comply:

• Water heater manufacturers, installers, electrical engineers, quality and safety managers, building contractors

Practical implications:

• Ensures compliance with both product safety and installation standards
• Requires regular review and adaptation of design and quality assurance processes
• Additional requirements for retrofitting immersion heater units

Key highlights:

• Stronger alignment with IEC 60335-1:2020
• Normative upgrades to important safety practices
• Enhanced pressure and temperature protection guidance

Access the full standard:View prEN IEC 60335-2-21:2024 on iTeh Standards

ISO 13180-1:2026 – Direct Tensile Test for Strain Hardening FRCCs

Fibre-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCCs) — Direct tensile test method — Part 1: Strain hardening FRCCs

This international standard establishes a unified method for evaluating the direct tensile resistance of strain hardening fibre-reinforced cementitious composites. FRCCs are innovative materials with significantly enhanced tensile strength, ductility, and durability compared to conventional concrete.

Core requirements and procedures:

• Test setup for direct tensile loading and measurement
• Definition and evaluation of the tensile stress versus strain curve
• Determination of first cracking and post-cracking strengths
• Calculation of strain capacity and crack counting within defined gauge lengths
• Explicit focus on composites demonstrating strain hardening (excluding strain-softening varieties)

Adopting ISO 13180-1:2026 ensures comparability of test data across research and construction projects worldwide, supporting the growing use of high-performance FRCCs in critical infrastructure.

Who needs to comply:

• Materials scientists, structural engineers, research laboratories, product developers, and quality control specialists in concrete technology

Practical implications:

• Enables standardized performance benchmarking for advanced FRCCs
• Improves design decision-making and structural reliability
• Enhances the integration of durable, energy-absorbing materials in new construction

Key highlights:

• Standardized specimen geometry and preparation
• Detailed reporting and strain capacity calculation guidance
• Supports innovation in earthquake- and impact-resistant structures

Access the full standard:View ISO 13180-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

prEN ISO 8102-1 – EMC Emissions for Lifts, Escalators, and Moving Walks

Electrical requirements for lifts, escalators and moving walks – Part 1: Electromagnetic compatibility with regard to emissions (ISO/DIS 8102-1:2025)

This standard specifies emission limits and testing protocols for electromagnetic disturbances generated by lifts, escalators, and moving walks permanently installed in buildings. It brings harmonization with European directives and global EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) requirements.

Essential coverage includes:

• Limits for both radiated and conducted radio-frequency emissions
• Requirements for controlling voltage fluctuations, supply current harmonics, and flicker
• Application of standards such as CISPR 11, CISPR 14-1, and IEC 61000-3-xx
• Test procedures for different equipment configurations and operational circumstances

Who needs to comply:

• Elevator, escalator, and moving walk manufacturers
• Building owners and facility managers
• EMC engineers, system integrators, regulatory bodies

Practical implications:

• Ensures installed vertical transport systems do not interfere with other building systems or external devices
• Supports global market access through harmonized EMC emissions requirements
• Necessitates updated product testing, documentation, and installer training

Key highlights:

• Updated limits for radio frequency and harmonics
• Direct alignment with latest EMC reference standards
• Requirements for both new installations and significant modifications

Access the full standard:View prEN ISO 8102-1 on iTeh Standards

prEN ISO 8102-2 – EMC Immunity for Lifts, Escalators, and Moving Walks

Electrical requirements for lifts, escalators and moving walks – Part 2: Electromagnetic compatibility with regard to immunity (ISO/DIS 8102-2:2025)

Complementing Part 1, this standard outlines the minimum immunity levels and performance criteria for apparatus used in lifts, escalators, and moving walks, focusing on safety and functional reliability in a variety of electromagnetic environments. It applies to both general function circuits and safety-related systems within installed equipment.

Scope and requirements:

• Immunity tests for electrostatic discharge (ESD), electrical fast transients, surges, conducted and radiated RF disturbances, and voltage dips/interruptions
• Detailed criteria for maintaining operational safety under electromagnetic stress
• Testing applies to all apparatus intended for permanent installation in residential, office, and industrial buildings
• Enhanced performance criteria for circuits critical to user/passenger safety

Who needs to comply:

• Elevator, escalator, and moving walk manufacturers and integrators
• Safety and quality assurance professionals, system designers

Practical implications:

• Mandates robust immunity performance for operational and emergency control circuits
• Assists in minimizing hazards resulting from electromagnetic interference
• Required for CE and global market compliance

Key highlights:

• Explicit test levels and success criteria
• Expanded radio frequency evaluation up to 6000 MHz
• Addresses both general and safety-function circuits

Access the full standard:View prEN ISO 8102-2 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Adopting these updated standards offers substantial advantages for organizations and professionals in the construction materials sector. Key impacts include:

• Regulatory compliance: Ensures conformity with the latest safety, performance, and EMC requirements, smooths approval and certification processes, and helps avoid costly non-compliance penalties.
• Product safety and reliability: Reduces risk of accidents, malfunctions, and operational disruptions—critical in both residential and commercial settings.
• Operational efficiency: Clear test methods and reporting streamline quality assurance, while harmonized EMC standards prevent issues with building systems coordination.
• Global market access: Compliance with harmonized and international references (ISO, IEC, EN) supports international sales and cross-border projects.

Compliance considerations:

• Transition timelines can range from 12-36 months post-publication for mandatory adoption, but early conformance is recommended for competitive advantage.
• Organizations should promptly update procurement specifications and technical documentation, and schedule employee training as required.
• For new and significantly modified installations, immediate application of the revised standards is standard regulatory practice.

Risks of non-compliance:

• Legal liabilities, failed inspections, increased rejection rates
• Product recalls or retrofitting obligations
• Loss of market access or competitiveness

Technical Insights

Common technical requirements across the standards:

• Robustness against electrical faults, surges, and electromagnetic interference
• Comprehensive marking, documentation, and reporting protocols
• Defined test procedures for product type-approval and batch conformity

Implementation best practices:

1. Integrate new standards early in product development and procurement processes.
2. Document all testing and compliance measures, maintaining traceable records for regulatory and certification purposes.
3. Coordinate with suppliers and subcontractors, ensuring their components and systems also comply.
4. Train design, QA/QC, and installation teams on the implications and requirements of new or revised standards.

Testing and certification considerations:

• Utilize certified laboratories familiar with current ISO, IEC, and EN requirements.
• Validate EMC performance in installed environments as well as lab conditions.
• Ensure retesting after significant design changes or retrofits.

Conclusion / Next Steps

The May 2026 updates represent a forward step in harmonizing safety, testing, and electromagnetic compatibility across construction materials and building systems. Key takeaways for organizations include:

• Prioritize review and integration of prEN IEC 60335-2-21:2024, ISO 13180-1:2026, prEN ISO 8102-1, and prEN ISO 8102-2 within current and upcoming projects
• Update technical files, product specifications, and procurement criteria to reflect new requirements
• Provide staff training on test methodologies and compliance obligations
• Explore detailed clauses directly via the full standards at standards.iteh.ai

By proactively engaging with the latest standards, construction professionals, compliance officers, and engineers ensure safe, high-performance, and regulation-ready buildings for years to come.