May 2026 Brings Significant Paint and Colour Industry Standards Updates

The world of paint and colour technology has seen four vital international standards published in May 2026. These updates impact everything from coating analysis on concrete to the chemical performance of binders and the durability of protective finishes under aggressive environmental cycles. For manufacturers, quality leaders, and specifiers in the coatings sector, staying abreast of these changes is essential to maintaining product excellence, regulatory compliance, and competitive advantage.

Overview

The paint and colour industry is the backbone of many sectors, from construction and automotive to consumer goods and infrastructure. Precise standards guide everything from how coatings are applied to how they are tested for resistance and performance. With increasing demands for durability, environmental compliance, and reproducible quality, international standards play a crucial role in setting benchmarks for safety, uniformity, and best practice.

In this article, you'll find:

• A summary of four new ISO and EN standards published in May 2026
• Their scopes, main requirements, and practical relevance
• Impact analysis for professionals—from lab managers to engineers
• Technical implementation insights and compliance recommendations

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 25014:2026 - Film Thickness Measurement for Coatings on Concrete

Paints and varnishes — Coatings on concrete — Determination of film thickness on cross section

ISO 25014:2026 offers a systematic method for accurate measurement of the film thickness of coatings applied to concrete. This ensures that both product development and real-world application meet critical durability and performance metrics. Determining film thickness is a cornerstone for quality assurance, especially in cured multi-layer flooring and protective systems—where performance can directly impact safety and longevity.

Scope and Requirements

• Covers both new-build and maintenance scenarios where coatings are applied to concrete substrates
• Describes equipment requirements, such as cross-section machines, embedding moulds, grinding and polishing machines, and optical microscopes
• Test specimens are prepared through drilling and sectioning, followed by precise measurement of the coating cross-section
• Two methods detailed: minimum/maximum and average film thickness determination

Who Should Comply?

• Coating manufacturers targeting infrastructure, flooring, and industrial concrete protection
• Quality control labs and field inspectors
• Construction and civil engineering project specifiers

Practical Implications

Implementing this standard helps:

• Assure clients of in-place coating durability
• Detect undercoating or overcoating issues early
• Support claims around performance and warranty

Key highlights:

• Allows evaluation of multi-layer and filled coating systems
• Addresses the particular challenges of sand-filled systems
• Supports robust product development and application QA

Access the full standard:View ISO 25014:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 4625-3:2026 - Resin Softening Point by Cup Method

Binders for paints and varnishes — Determination of softening point — Part 3: Cup method (without a ball)

ISO 4625-3:2026 introduces the cup method (without a ball) for measuring the softening point of paint and varnish binders, particularly resins and rosin-based materials. The softening point directly impacts processing temperatures, storage stability, and suitability in various coatings and adhesives applications.

Scope and Specifications

• Provides a reproducible, efficient alternative to ring-and-ball and traditional cup-and-ball methods
• Especially relevant for European industry practitioners
• Focuses on thermoplastic and rosin-based resin systems
• Standardizes apparatus, calibration (with primary and secondary standards), and test reporting procedures

Who Needs It?

• Resin manufacturers and raw material suppliers
• Paint formulators
• Labs undertaking compliance or R&D on resin inputs

Implementation Impact

By using this method:

• Organizations harmonize their resin testing with major markets
• Results are comparable (under set conditions) with existing ISO 4625-1 and ISO 4625-2 methods
• Simplifies lab workflows and reduces testing costs for softening point determination

Key highlights:

• No need for a ball in the apparatus, simplifying setup and reducing costs
• Results align with widespread European practice
• Addresses thermoplastic resins, key for modern coatings

Access the full standard:View ISO 4625-3:2026 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 11997-1:2026 - Cyclic Corrosion Test: Wet (Salt Fog)/Dry/Humid Conditions

Paints and varnishes - Determination of resistance to cyclic corrosion conditions - Part 1: Wet (salt fog)/dry/humid (ISO 11997-1:2026)

Published via the Vienna Agreement, EN ISO 11997-1:2026 harmonizes European and international approaches to cyclic corrosion testing. Coatings are exposed in the laboratory to aggressive cycles that simulate marine and other harsh environments. The method enables precise, repeatable evaluation of corrosion resistance.

Scope and Key Provisions

• Defines four specific test cycles (A–D), reflecting different regional and sector-specific requirements
• Specifies preparation of salt fog solutions, panel materials, and cabinet apparatus
• Panels are scribed and exposed to alternating wet, dry, and humid phases
• Enables side-by-side comparison of different coatings’ resistance to corrosion

Target Audience

• Automotive OEMs and tier suppliers
• Industrial equipment manufacturers
• Labs benchmarking coatings for marine, infrastructure, or high-humidity applications

Implementation & Significance

Adoption allows:

• Cross-border harmonization of corrosion quality benchmarks
• Documented evidence of coating system reliability for automotive and construction warrants
• Regular quality audits of protective paints and varnishes

Key highlights:

• Fully harmonized with ISO 11997-1:2026 under the Vienna Agreement
• Four test cycles enable industry-specific simulations
• Extensively updated warnings and apparatus guidance

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 11997-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 11997-1:2026 - Cyclic Corrosion Resistance of Coatings

Paints and varnishes — Determination of resistance to cyclic corrosion conditions — Part 1: Wet (salt fog)/dry/humid

The new ISO 11997-1:2026 supersedes its previous version (2017) with numerous updates and clarifications. Designed for reproducible, accelerated laboratory assessment, it addresses quality verification for a vast array of coating systems—especially where real-world outdoor exposure is variable or unavailable.

What It Covers

• Detailed procedures for subjecting coated panels to standardized cycles of salt fog, drying, and humidity
• Comprehensive updated references, equipment setup, and scribing of test panels
• Enhanced guidance on health, safety, and environmental precautions
• Four cycles (A–D) simulate marine, automotive, and industrial atmospheres

Who’s Impacted?

• Paint and varnish manufacturers serving marine, automotive, or structural sectors
• Certification bodies and third-party testing labs
• Procurement and quality managers specifying paint systems based on test performance

Practical Implication

• Confirms or benchmarks paint system durability before use in critical environments
• Enables confident performance guarantees and compliance with procurement specifications
• Supplies data for R&D and comparative product development

Key highlights:

• Updated cycles and air supply requirements for improved correlation to real-world exposure
• Broadens international acceptance for cyclic corrosion testing results
• Critical for technical audits, warranties, and compliance reports

Access the full standard:View ISO 11997-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Implementing these new and revised standards has direct implications for the paint and colour sector:

• Manufacturers and Suppliers: Must update quality management systems, training materials, and product documentation to align with new cycles, test conditions, and reporting standards.
• Quality Managers and Labs: Should validate existing test setups against revised apparatus and methodology requirements, train staff on new procedures, and update calibration protocols.
• Specifiers and Procurement Teams: Can now reference current benchmarks in tenders, ensuring coatings supplied are globally recognized for performance and durability.
• Compliance Timelines: As these are international publications, local regulatory adoption may vary; early adoption positions companies as quality leaders and minimizes supply chain risk.
• Benefits:
  • Enhanced product reliability and customer confidence
  • Reduced risk of costly field failures or warranty claims
  • Greater harmonization and market access across regions
• Risks of Non-Compliance:
  • Potential product recalls or rejection in regulated markets
  • Reputational harm from performance shortfalls
  • Delayed project approvals or certification hurdles

Technical Insights

Several recurring technical themes and best practices are reflected in these standards:

• Importance of Sample Preparation: Accurate specimen conditioning and preparation (e.g., cross-section sectioning, scribing and thickness control) is foundational for reliable results in both mechanical and corrosion tests.
• Equipment Calibration: Standards emphasize using calibrated instruments and appropriate laboratory environments to reduce interlaboratory variability, especially for film thickness and softening point measurement.
• Systematic Test Reporting: All standards require comprehensive reporting, including detailed conditions, sample descriptions, test cycles performed, instruments used, and deviations if any—facilitating traceability.
• Safety and Environmental Precautions: Updates include enhanced warnings for handling corrosive chemicals and ensuring safe disposal, reinforcing workplace safety during testing and compliance.
• Reproducibility and Comparability: Many methods are designed to yield reproducible results that allow meaningful comparisons between suppliers, labs, and product generations across international markets.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The May 2026 release of four major international standards represents a significant advancement for the paint and colour industry. With new requirements for film thickness measurement, resin softening point determination, and cyclic corrosion resistance testing, professionals must act to:

1. Review and update quality management procedures to reflect new requirements
2. Train laboratory and technical staff on any adjusted or new test methodologies
3. Audit and recalibrate equipment to meet current standards and reporting requirements
4. Engage suppliers and partners to ensure universal compliance throughout the supply chain
5. Monitor for further updates as harmonization continues (especially under the Vienna Agreement for EN ISO standards)

Explore the full text of each standard through official channels and consider subscribing to iTeh Standards for streamlined access, document management, and regulatory tracking tailored to the paint and colour sector.

Stay informed, remain compliant, and ensure that your coatings, processes, and products are at the forefront of international best practice.