April 2026 Brings Key Updates to Paint and Colour Industry Standards

The paint and colour industries are witnessing significant changes this April 2026 with the release of three pivotal international standards. These newly published documents refine industry best practices for protective paint systems, corrosion protection, and pigment quality assessment. For manufacturers, quality managers, engineers, and compliance officers, staying abreast of these revisions is more important than ever. Below, we detail the essentials of each new standard and explore their impact on real-world operations.

Overview

The paint and colour sector, grouped under the International Classification for Standards (ICS) code 87, is essential to manufacturing, construction, maintenance, infrastructure, and product design. Standards in this field govern everything from the durability of protective coatings to the integrity and purity of pigments and the methods used for quality assurance.

Adherence to the latest industry standards ensures the reliability of protective paint systems, optimizes product performance, and streamlines compliance for global trade. This article offers a comprehensive review of three newly released standards that introduce consistent methodologies for assessing porosity in protective coatings and accurately determining pigment oil absorption values.

Readers will learn about:

• Key requirements introduced or revised in April 2026
• Practical implications for industry compliance and procurement
• Testing methods that drive reliability and consistency
• How these standards impact ongoing quality assurance

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN ISO 29601:2026 - Porosity Assessment in Protective Paint Systems

Paints and varnishes - Corrosion protection by protective paint systems - Assessment of porosity in a dry film (ISO 29601:2026)

EN ISO 29601:2026 is a crucial update for specialists managing corrosion protection in steel and metallic substrates. The standard specifies methods for detecting porosity—minute defects such as pinholes, cracks, or voids—in protective paint layers. These defects, though often invisible, can compromise corrosion resistance and product longevity, making rigorous testing vital.

The document introduces standardized use of two types of detection equipment: low-voltage pinhole detectors (ideal for thinner films) and high-voltage holiday detectors (required for thicker coatings). Users must select the method based on the dry-film thickness, as improper equipment usage can lead to false positives or undetected flaws.

EN ISO 29601:2026 applies to both new and in-service coatings, with the recommendation that, for aged systems, users consider possible contaminant ingress or degradation of the film.

Key highlights:

• Standardizes porosity detection for electrically non-conductive coatings
• Distinguishes equipment and protocols based on film thickness
• Ensures integrity in both freshly applied and service-exposed paint systems

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 29601:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 29601:2026 - Uniform Porosity Testing Methodology

Paints and varnishes — Corrosion protection by protective paint systems — Assessment of porosity in a dry film

ISO 29601:2026, harmonized with the EN ISO version, provides a globally accepted reference for porosity assessment of protective coatings. This new edition introduces several updates from its previous iteration, including:

• Editorial modernization and improved definitions
• Refined cleaning protocols before testing
• Guidance on recalibration and verification of test equipment
• Enhancements to voltage calculation for test procedures
• Confirmation and codification of low-voltage detection techniques

The standard covers terminology such as nominal dry-film thickness (NDFT), mean dry-film thickness, and specific forms of discontinuity (e.g., pinholes, voids, thin spots). It spells out procedures for both low-voltage (wet-sponge) and high-voltage testing, clarifying when and how each is applicable. For all coating quality inspectors and engineers, this unified approach helps ensure compatibility in tendering, compliance, and maintenance regimes worldwide.

Key highlights:

• Aligns porosity testing with ISO 12944 and related series
• Clarifies test method selection and voltage settings
• Updates procedures for both new and in-service paint systems

Access the full standard:View ISO 29601:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 787-5:2026 - Oil Absorption Value Determination for Pigments and Extenders

General methods of test for pigments and extenders — Part 5: Determination of oil absorption value

ISO 787-5:2026 offers updated guidance for measuring the oil absorption value of pigments and extenders—a critical parameter for formulators in the paint and coatings sector. This value influences pigment dispersion, viscosity profiles, and the ultimate mechanical properties of coatings.

This edition brings notable enhancements:

• Updated normative references for broader applicability
• Inclusion of a new method using a dropping bottle alongside the traditional burette approach
• Refined test apparatus specifications (e.g., precise balance requirements)
• Added procedures for sample conditioning, temperature, and humidity control during testing

Two alternative methodologies are described:

1. Burette Method: Standard measurement by adding oil dropwise until a uniform paste is achieved.
2. Dropping Bottle Method: An alternative for improved drop-size control, particularly with modern pigment types.

For both methods, precise result calculation formulas are provided, ensuring repeatability and comparability of results across laboratories and procurement contracts.

Key highlights:

• Defines oil absorption measurement critical for paint formulation
• Offers alternative testing protocols for greater flexibility
• Facilitates consistency in pigment purchasing and quality assurance

Access the full standard:View ISO 787-5:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The adoption of these new standards delivers numerous advantages for paint and coatings manufacturers, applicators, procurement teams, and specifiers:

• Uniformity and Quality Assurance: Consistent procedures reduce misinterpretation, aligning quality expectations between suppliers and customers.
• Improved Corrosion Protection: Robust assessment protocols in EN ISO/ISO 29601:2026 ensure that protective paint systems deliver their intended service life, reducing maintenance and downtime.
• Procurement Efficiency: Clear, referenced test protocols for pigments (ISO 787-5:2026) streamline supplier assessments and contract execution, reducing risk in raw material selection.
• Safer Infrastructure: Adhering to up-to-date testing requirements minimizes the risk of catastrophic coating failures in infrastructure, transport, and industrial settings.

Compliance considerations:

• Organizations should update their quality control and purchasing documentation immediately to reflect these standard revisions.
• Third-party auditors and certification bodies are likely to begin referencing these standards in compliance assessments and tender evaluations.
• Timelines for implementation will vary depending on company policy, regulatory framework, and contractual obligations, but early adoption will ease transition and demonstrate market leadership.

Risks of non-compliance include:

• Increased chances of undetected coating defects
• Disputes over material quality in the supply chain
• Shortening of protective coating service life
• Regulatory penalties in safety-critical applications

Technical Insights

Across these standards, several technical themes and best practices emerge:

• Equipment Selection Matters: Choosing the correct porosity detection equipment according to film thickness (as mandated in ISO 29601:2026) is essential for accurate results.
• Calibration and Test Setup: Proper calibration, surface preparation, and environmental control (including guidelines newly specified in ISO 787-5:2026) are critical for test validity.
• Detailed Test Reporting: Each standard specifies comprehensive reporting requirements—listing test settings, results, and deviations—to facilitate quality audits and traceability.
• Training and Competence: Personnel conducting tests must be trained to interpret and apply the standards correctly, especially as methods are refined or expanded in new editions.
• Continuous Improvement: Collecting feedback and performance data from field application of these methods can inform future revisions, ensuring the standards evolve with technology and industry needs.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The release of EN ISO 29601:2026, ISO 29601:2026, and ISO 787-5:2026 marks a significant advancement in the paint and colour industries. These standards collectively address the major areas of protecting metal structures, ensuring paint system durability, and maintaining pigment quality—all of which are vital to infrastructure reliability, safety, and product excellence.

Key takeaways:

• Update your internal procedures and supplier requirements with the latest standard editions
• Train staff on new testing protocols for both coatings and pigments
• Engage with quality certification and procurement bodies to align documentation
• Monitor for future amendments to stay at the forefront of industry best practice

Stay proactive: Visit iTeh Standards to explore the full texts of these and related standards, ensuring compliance and sustained leadership in the rapidly evolving paint and colour sector.