May 2026 Brings New Standards for Chemical Safety Footwear, Woodworking Machines, and Ecolabels

The landscape for environmental protection, health, and safety continues to evolve with the publication of four important standards in May 2026. Covering areas from chemical-resistant protective footwear to building site machine safety and environmental product labelling, these new documents provide the tools for businesses to enhance worker safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance. For quality and compliance managers, procurement specialists, and engineers, keeping abreast of these changes is essential for ensuring organizational resilience and sustainable growth.

Overview

Environmental protection, health, and occupational safety are foundational elements in modern industrial operations. International standards in this sector exist to minimize risks—be they chemical exposure, machinery-related injuries, or misleading sustainability claims—and to foster a culture of continual improvement.

The new standards released in May 2026 address:

• Protective footwear for chemical hazards (with updated test methods and requirements)
• Safety design and operation of building site saws in construction and woodworking
• Principles and processes for product ecolabels ensuring trustworthy environmental claims

In this article, you'll discover the scope, technical highlights, and real-world implications of each new standard, helping your team anticipate regulatory trends and leverage compliance for competitive advantage.

Detailed Standards Coverage

prEN 13832-1 – Footwear Protecting Against Chemicals: Terminology and Test Methods

Footwear protecting against chemicals – Part 1: Terminology and test methods

This newly revised standard from CEN lays the groundwork for evaluating footwear designed to shield workers from hazardous chemicals. Focused on terminology and state-of-the-art testing methods, it specifies how to assess resistance against splashing, permeation, and material degradation.

Scope & Key Requirements

• Sets terminology and reference methods for classifying chemical-resistant footwear
• Establishes test procedures for splashing, permeation (chemical seeping at a molecular level), and degradation (observable damage such as flaking, embrittlement, or discoloration)
• Details laboratory practices for sample conditioning, test execution, estimating measurement uncertainty, and reporting
• Links footwear testing to latest versions of related PPE standards (e.g., EN ISO 20345:2022)
• Introduces new tests for upper seams and updated damage assessment protocols

Who Needs to Comply

• Manufacturers of chemical-resistant footwear
• Safety managers and procurement teams in chemical, pharmaceutical, industrial manufacturing, and laboratory environments
• Certification bodies and test laboratories

Practical Implications

Implementing this standard streamlines the selection of protective footwear, assuring buyers and users that products meet rigorous resistance and durability benchmarks for splashing, permeation, and degradation. The harmonization with the latest PPE specifications ensures compatibility and up-to-date safety assurance.

Notable Changes

• Reference updates to newest PPE footwear standards (EN ISO 20345/20346/20347:2022)
• New seam tests and damage assessment protocols
• Enhanced safety precautions for lab testing

Key highlights:

• Unified test methodology for chemical resistance evaluation
• Sample preparation tailored to ensure representative testing
• Enhanced guidance for uncertainty evaluation in results

Access the full standard:View prEN 13832-1 on iTeh Standards

prEN 13832-2 – Footwear Protecting Against Chemicals: Requirements for Limited Contact

Footwear protecting against chemicals – Part 2: Requirements for limited contact with chemicals

This companion document to Part 1 sets out the practical performance requirements for footwear designed for limited exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Scope & Key Requirements

• Specifies resistance benchmarks for two primary scenarios: splashing and time-limited degradation by chemicals
• Classifies protective footwear by material type (leather-based, all-rubber/polymeric, or hybrids)
• Applies to footwear where upper or outsole exposure is brief or intermittent (less than one hour)
• Details chemical resistance tests, including a prescribed minimum of two chemical challenges (from a defined test chemicals list)
• Mandates rigorous marking, documentation, and user instructions
• Tightly links with EN ISO standards for safety, protective, and occupational footwear

Who Needs to Comply

• Manufacturers targeting workplaces with risks of accidental splashes or intermittent chemical contact, such as cleaning, agriculture, laboratories, automotive, and chemical processing
• Procurement and EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) professionals
• Enforcement, certification, and market surveillance bodies

Practical Implications

Following this standard ensures businesses can select and use chemical-resistant footwear that is fit for known risks, preventing health hazards without over-specification. The mandatory marking and user information support safe use in varied operational contexts.

Notable Changes

• Integrated reference to latest EN ISO 20345/20346/20347 PPE updates
• Expanded mechanical and chemical resistance testing (including seams and hybrid designs)
• Improved test protocols for splash and degradation resistance

Key highlights:

• Enhanced classification enables selection precision
• Water resistance, slip resistance, and innocuousness (documented lack of harmful chemical migration) reinforced
• Supplements legal compliance with EU PPE Regulation 2016/425 (Annex ZA mapping included)

Access the full standard:View prEN 13832-2 on iTeh Standards

prEN ISO 19085-10 – Woodworking Machines Safety: Building Site Saws

Woodworking machines – Safety – Part 10: Building site saws (contractor saws) (ISO/DIS 19085-10:2025)

Targeting a major occupational safety hazard, this European/ISO standard enumerates the essential requirements and risk management techniques for building site saws—machines commonly deployed on construction sites for cutting wood and similar materials.

Scope & Key Requirements

• Applies to manually operated and displaceable site saws with maximum blade diameters from 350 mm to 500 mm
• Encompasses the stages of machine operation: transport, assembly, adjustment, maintenance, and dismantling
• Outlines requirements for stability, safety of control systems, safeguards against mechanical and electrical hazards, and access prevention to dangerous moving parts
• Includes noise reduction, emission control (dust and chips), and ergonomic design provisions
• Excludes hand-held tools, multi-speed or tilt-blade devices, and sliding-table saws (covered elsewhere)

Who Needs to Comply

• Manufacturers and importers of site and contractor saws
• Construction companies, woodworking contractors, safety officers
• Training providers and equipment suppliers

Practical Implications

Implementation will result in site saws with greatly reduced risk of injury—including finger/hand cuts, kickbacks, and accidental machine startup—improving safety performance and reducing accident-related costs. Inclusion of ergonomic guidelines and emissions controls also promotes long-term occupational health.

Notable Changes

• New requirements for advanced guarding, braking, and run-down control
• Clarified marking and user manual expectations
• Expanded coverage for modern risk mitigation features (e.g., anti-kickback devices)

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive hazard identification and mitigation plan
• Design principles for operator safety and machine reliability
• Guidance supports both manufacturers and site safety managers in meeting regulatory obligations

Access the full standard:View prEN ISO 19085-10 on iTeh Standards

ISO 14024:2026 – Environmental Statements and Programmes for Products: Ecolabels

Environmental statements and programmes for products — Ecolabels

The updated ISO 14024 standard strengthens the global framework for ecolabel design, integrity, and mutual recognition. It targets not just clarity for consumers, but also robustness and transparency for businesses seeking to differentiate their offerings with credible, third-party verified claims.

Scope & Key Requirements

• Defines principles and best practices for establishing and operating ecolabelling programmes
• Provides rules on development, management, and review of product category criteria, function criteria, and certification/licensing processes
• Addresses assessment methodologies for environmental impacts, life-cycle thinking, data quality, and impartial conformity assessment
• Emphasizes avoidance of conflicts of interest, transparent stakeholder engagement, and harmonization across regions
• Guidance on differentiating Type I ecolabels (third-party certified) from self-declared or less-rigorous labels, supporting anti-greenwashing initiatives

Who Needs to Comply

• Organizations developing or managing ecolabelling schemes
• Manufacturers and brand owners seeking ecolabel certification
• Procurement teams, especially in public sector/sustainable purchasing, and product stewards
• Certification bodies, compliance officers, and sustainability consultants

Practical Implications

Conformance with ISO 14024:2026 underpins trustworthy environmental claims, which are increasingly scrutinized by regulators and buyers. This standard facilitates market access, helps mitigate legal and reputational risks, and drives continuous product and process improvement across the supply chain.

Notable Changes

• Restructured to align with ISO 14020; shared content moved to foundational standards
• Enhanced criteria selection process and documentation guidance
• New annexes on communications, product criteria selection, and conformity assessment
• Anti-greenwashing focus and explicit requirements to avoid misleading claims

Key highlights:

• Promotes harmonization and mutual recognition among ecolabelling programmes
• Sets the gold standard for credible, verifiable environmental product claims
• Facilitates global trade and responsible procurement

Access the full standard:View ISO 14024:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Adoption of these new standards is expected to:

• Reduce workplace injuries and occupational illnesses, especially where chemical hazards or machinery are present
• Ensure chemical protective footwear delivers tested, reliable performance aligned with the latest PPE legislation and user needs
• Improve safety culture and process control in woodworking and construction via comprehensive machinery safety requirements
• Enhance credibility, transparency, and acceptance of ecolabels, helping organizations meet green procurement demands and consumer expectations

Compliance Considerations & Timelines

• Manufacturers should promptly update product testing, technical documentation, and user instructions to meet the new standards
• Compliance is often a prerequisite for market access, insurance, and contractual obligations
• Many industries will require training and internal audits to ensure full and ongoing conformance
• Regulatory enforcement (e.g., under PPE or machinery safety directives) may reference these new standards directly or indirectly

Benefits

• Competitive differentiation through demonstrated safety and environmental responsibility
• Legal risk mitigation (especially against non-compliance penalties or greenwashing claims)
• Enhanced procurement and supply chain confidence
• Increased worker satisfaction and engagement through safer workplaces

Risks of Non-Compliance

• Product recalls, fines, or bans from target markets
• Legal action due to injuries or false claims
• Loss of certification, accreditations, or business contracts
• Reputational harm in safety and sustainability-sensitive markets

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

• Rigorous, repeatable test protocols for material and product performance
• Alignment with life-cycle and risk-based approaches, especially for chemical and environmental safety
• Clear, evidence-based documentation for conformity assessment and certification

Implementation Best Practices

1. Gap analysis: Review existing processes and documentation against new standard requirements
2. Resource alignment: Ensure lab equipment, testing procedures, and staff training meet new methods
3. Documentation: Maintain detailed records of test results, marking, and user information
4. Supplier engagement: Work with upstream suppliers to verify material compliance
5. End-user communication: Provide updated instructions, safety information, and product certifications

Testing and Certification Considerations

• Accreditation of test laboratories (where applicable) ensures impartiality and reliability
• Choice of test chemicals and footwear designs must reflect actual workplace hazards
• For ecolabels, third-party certification enhances trust and avoids conflicts of interest
• Ongoing surveillance (post-certification) is essential for maintaining compliance over time

Conclusion & Next Steps

The May 2026 publication of these four standards completes a significant set of updates for the environmental protection, health, and safety sector. Organizations are encouraged to:

• Review the full text of relevant standards
• Conduct compliance audits and training
• Update procurement, specification, and workplace safety documentation
• Consider third-party certification (especially for ecolabel claims and PPE)
• Monitor iTeh Standards and other authoritative sources for ongoing updates

Staying current with international standards not only safeguards employees and the environment but also strengthens business sustainability and market competitiveness.

Explore more at iTeh Standards and ensure your organization is always ahead in safety, compliance, and sustainability.