August 2026 Brings New Standards for Paint and Colour Industries

The paint and colour industries are advancing rapidly with the release of four significant ISO standards in August 2026. These updates present crucial guidance for manufacturers, quality managers, compliance officers, and technical professionals seeking to enhance product quality, safety, and regulatory alignment. The new standards address indoor air quality improvement, best practices for coatings on plastics and composites, weathering and irradiation testing, and vital chemical resistance protocols. Companies aiming to maintain their competitive edge, ensure end-user health, and stay compliant with global requirements should pay close attention to these international specifications.

Overview

The paint and colour industries play a vital role in construction, automotive, home décor, electronics, and a range of manufacturing sectors worldwide. The consistency and safety of paints, varnishes, and coatings are paramount—not only for aesthetic appeal but for durability, protection, sustainability, and occupant health. International standards in this sector provide clear, harmonized approaches to product testing, environmental impact mitigation, and performance assessment.

This article explores the four new ISO standards published in August 2026. Readers will gain insights into:

• The latest test methods for assessing air purification effects of interior wall coatings
• Enhanced protocols for coatings on plastics and composites
• Weathering, irradiation, and chemical resistance tests for advanced performance assurance
• Practical guidance on implementation, compliance, and certification

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 21025:2026 - Assessment of Formaldehyde Purification Effect of Interior Wall Coatings by Bag Method

Paints and varnishes — Assessment of formaldehyde purification effect of interior wall coatings by bag method

ISO 21025:2026 introduces a comprehensive test method to evaluate the formaldehyde purification performance of interior wall coatings using the bag method. This standard applies broadly to paints, varnishes, and other decorative materials—including wallpaper, carpets, and decorative panels—claimed to reduce indoor formaldehyde concentrations.

The test protocol begins with preparing a specimen coated panel according to manufacturer guidelines. The specimen is placed inside a sealed, inert sampling bag with a known concentration of formaldehyde introduced. The decrease in formaldehyde concentration is monitored over a predetermined period, enabling calculation of both initial and long-term purification efficiencies. The method can also be adapted for other harmful carbonyl compounds, such as acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and butyraldehyde.

Industries requiring compliance:

• Architectural coatings (residential, commercial, institutional)
• Decorative material manufacturers (wallpapers, carpets, panels)
• Indoor air quality specialists
• Green building compliance assessors

Key requirements include precise apparatus setup (using inert, airtight sampling bags and calibrated micro syringes), exacting test conditions, repeated emissions measurement, and robust reproducibility and precision protocols. ISO 21025:2026 emphasizes safety considerations, as handling formaldehyde and other volatile organics poses health risks.

Key highlights:

• Applicable to various coating types and indoor materials
• Delivers both short-term and long-term purification performance metrics
• Offers robust validation, precision, and repeatability criteria

Access the full standard:View ISO 21025:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 22785-1:2026 - Coatings on Plastics and Composites — Part 1: General Introduction

Paints and varnishes — Coatings on plastics and composites — Part 1: General introduction

As plastics and plastic composites gain prominence across multiple industries, ISO 22785-1:2026 offers a foundational overview for coatings applied to these substrates. Unlike previous protocols primarily developed for metallic surfaces, this standard recognizes the unique behaviors and challenges presented by plastics.

The document:

• Examines the thermal, mechanical, optical, and adhesive properties of various plastics substrates
• Details how these properties influence coating performance, including issues like thermal conductivity, moisture absorption, elasticity, and additive migration
• Defines key terms and outlines the differences between homopolymers, copolymers, composites, recyclates, and their implications for coating processes

Practical applications span:

• Automotive interiors/exteriors
• Consumer electronics casings
• Construction panels and furniture
• Packaging and decorative products

ISO 22785-1:2026 sets the stage for further testing standards in the series (such as weathering, chemical resistance, and abrasion), ensuring that product developers, testing laboratories, and manufacturers apply best practices tailored to plastics—not just metals.

Key highlights:

• Summarizes challenges and variables unique to plastics substrates
• Suggests modifications to typical coating test methods for reliable results
• Clarifies terminology for international harmonization

Access the full standard:View ISO 22785-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 22785-2:2026 - Coatings on Plastics and Composites — Part 2: Weathering and Irradiation Testing

Paints and varnishes — Coatings on plastics and composites — Part 2: Weathering and irradiation testing

ISO 22785-2:2026 is vital for industries where coatings on plastic substrates are subjected to environmental stressors, including UV exposure, heat, humidity, and variable weather conditions. The standard delineates test methods to assess how plastics influence the aging and durability of coatings during both natural and accelerated artificial weathering.

Scope includes:

• Describing substrate-specific phenomena, such as increased surface temperature due to lower thermal conductivity, phase transitions, additive migration, and variable moisture absorption
• Overview of advanced testing methods, including Xenon-arc, UV-fluorescent, carbon-arc, mercury vapor lamp technologies, and both direct and indirect natural weathering protocols
• Special guidance on testing three-dimensional plastics samples for homogeneity of irradiance and temperature

The document stresses the need to consider plastics’ unique properties—such as glass transition temperatures and flexibility—when designing, specifying, and testing coatings, especially for:

• Automotive parts
• Outdoor consumer products
• Building components (windows, wall panels, fascias)

Key highlights:

• Provides detailed weathering and irradiation test frameworks for plastics-based substrates
• Recommends tailored test conditions to simulate real-world performance more accurately
• Addresses critical issues like substrate aging and temperature sensitivity not relevant for metals

Access the full standard:View ISO 22785-2:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 22785-5:2026 - Coatings on Plastics and Composites — Part 5: Chemical Resistance Testing

Paints and varnishes — Coatings on plastics and composites — Part 5: Chemical resistance testing

Chemical exposure is a critical factor in determining the functional longevity and safety of coatings on plastic components, especially in automotive, industrial, medical, and consumer product environments. ISO 22785-5:2026 establishes standardized procedures for evaluating the chemical resistance of coatings applied to plastics and composite substrates.

The guideline covers:

• Sample preparation for flat plates and component testing, emphasizing homogeneous application
• Multiple test methodologies, including immersion, absorbent media application, spot testing, and temperature-gradient oven methods
• A comprehensive inventory of chemicals, including fuels, laboratory reagents, biological agents, and substances encountered in daily use

ISO 22785-5:2026 further acknowledges that plastics can alter the performance of coatings under chemical exposure—affecting absorption, permeability, swelling, and mechanical integrity. It provides recommendations for adjusting testing parameters (such as temperature or exposure duration) to factor in substrate behavior. This nuanced approach helps ensure:

• Accurate simulation of real-world use
• Enhanced product safety and longevity
• Effective pre-market quality assurance

Key highlights:

• Broad coverage of relevant chemicals and real-use scenarios
• Addresses critical interface effects between plastics and coatings
• Supports qualification and certification for demanding applications

Access the full standard:View ISO 22785-5:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The August 2026 standards collectively drive higher performance, greater safety, and reduced environmental risk throughout the paint and colour industries. Adopting these standards empowers businesses to:

• Demonstrate compliance with global regulatory and market requirements
• Enhance product claims, such as air purification or chemical resistance
• Reduce liability exposure by adhering to internationally accepted testing protocols

Compliance considerations:

• Organizations should update their internal testing methods to align with these revised requirements
• Product quality documentation, marketing claims, and certification evidence should be adjusted accordingly
• For green building certifications and environmentally conscious consumers, demonstrating adherence is a market differentiator
• Timeline for full implementation may vary by region and sector; early adoption increases competitive advantage

Risks of non-compliance include:

• Loss of market access, particularly in regulated industries (construction, automotive, consumer products)
• Increased failure rates or consumer complaints
• Difficulty achieving sustainability or indoor air quality goals

Technical Insights

Across these August 2026 standards, key technical themes emerge:

• Test Method Precision: Accurate sample preparation, conditioning, and apparatus calibration are emphasized.
• Substrate-Specific Protocols: Standards recognize plastics’ unique behaviors (thermal, mechanical, chemical) vs. traditional metal substrates, driving the need to adopt tailored test methods.
• Environmental Performance: Real-use simulation—weathering, irradiation, and chemical exposure—ensures coatings maintain their protective and aesthetic functions over the intended lifecycle.
• Data Integrity: Reproducibility and robustness are essential for certification, product launch, and regulatory clearance.

Best practices for implementation:

1. Assess current product testing and quality control policies against updated ISO standards
2. Train laboratory staff and procurement teams on revised apparatus, protocols, and reporting requirements
3. Engage with accredited testing labs to ensure methods align with the international best practices
4. Document all testing, performance, and compliance actions for eventual audits or certifications

Testing and certification:

• Ensure all in-house and third-party tests use ISO-standardized apparatus, reporting formats, and validation steps
• Consider early/voluntary certification to enhance buyer confidence and operational transparency

Conclusion & Next Steps

The introduction of these four pivotal ISO standards in August 2026 is reshaping the paint and colour industries’ approach to quality, safety, and sustainability. Whether your organization designs, specifies, or tests coatings for walls, plastics, or composites, integrating these requirements is essential for robust performance and global marketplace acceptance.

Key takeaways:

• Embrace formaldehyde purification, weathering, and chemical resistance testing per ISO’s best practices
• Equip technical, QA, and compliance teams with training and resources to implement the latest methods
• Leverage compliance as a differentiator in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets

Recommended action:

• Explore each new and revised standard via direct access on iTeh Standards
• Stay informed about future updates and releases to ensure ongoing compliance and competitive advantage
• Champion best practices to deliver safer, higher-performing coatings to your end users

These standards address not only technical performance, but public health, safety, and global harmonization goals essential to the future of the paints and coatings sector.