Hello again everybody, and welcome to the ninth entry in the NFPA Standards Roundup article series! Each month, we provide a high-level
recap of the latest standards development activities across ISO/TC 131.
As previewed in April, May was an exceptionally active month, highlighted by the Spring Cluster of in-person meetings in Milan, Italy (May 19–21, 2026). Across multiple subcommittees and working groups, experts met face-to-face to advance technical work, resolve comments, and align on next steps for key standards projects.
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Milan In-Person Meetings: A Productive Spring Cluster
The Milan meetings brought together international experts from across the fluid power community, representing manufacturers, national standards bodies, and research organizations. The in-person format enabled:
· Faster resolution of technical comments
· Deeper discussion on scope and applicability of standards
· Coordination across subcommittees and related ISO technical committees
· Strong participation from global stakeholders, including Europe, North America, and Asia
The cluster included meetings across multiple groups, including SC 3, SC 4, SC 5, and SC 9, as well as several working groups focused on connectors and pneumatics.
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There was extensive technical conversation across a wide range of projects, with hundreds of comments received on a series of related energy efficiency standards for pneumatics, a Technical Specification regarding quick release couplers, and more.
Additionally, over 10 Systematic Reviews were finalized and closed, with over 10 ongoing projects being moved to the next stage of development. Finally, there are new standards being planned for screw-to-connect flat face connectors and practices for hydraulic hose assemblies. Overall, the Subcommittees and Working Groups made tremendous progress on an extensive portfolio of pneumatics and connectors related projects. For more information, please contact Ben Brown at bbrown@nfpa.com.
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Broader Subcommittee Activity (SC 3, SC 4, SC 5)
Across the additional Milan meetings (SC 3, SC 4, and SC 5), several consistent themes emerged:
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Active project pipelines across connectors, components, and system-level standards
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Continued emphasis on comment resolution and ballot progression
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Ongoing systematic reviews and revisions of existing standards
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Organizational discussions to improve working group structure and alignment
The in-person setting enabled extended technical discussions and helped resolve complex issues more efficiently than virtual formats.
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Looking Ahead
With the Milan meetings completed, many projects are now moving into new development stages, with updated drafts expected throughout summer and early fall 2026.
Web meetings are already scheduled to continue progress, including follow-ups in August, October, and November for key pneumatic standards.
Work also continues across the broader portfolio of active standards projects, revisions, and systematic reviews, ensuring steady progress throughout the year.
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If you are interested in participating in standards development—either at the TAG or ISO level—or would like more information on any of these activities, please reach out to Ben Brown at bbrown@nfpa.com.
