Standardization activities

Why standardization?

Standardization is an essential tool for the transfer of knowledge and technology. They ensure that innovative technologies can be efficiently transferred into practice and promote the industrial acceptance of new methods. Nevertheless, their importance is often underestimated and many organizations and companies in Germany withdraw from participating in standardization committees. As a result, we in Germany have to apply standards that others have designed with a focus on their own interests. Fraunhofer IZFP has recognized this trend and has integrated standardization activities into its service portfolio as a strategic focus. In addition to traditional NDT processes, the focus is on innovative approaches such as intelligent sensors, sensor networks and AI-supported technologies as well as the development of SMART standards.

Advantages of standardization activities

At first glance, it is difficult to quantify the rather abstract benefits of standardization work. In addition, the results of the work can often only be measured with a time lag due to the time-consuming processes involved in reaching a consensus. Nevertheless, there are numerous advantages to participating in the creation of standards:

• Knowledge and technology transfer: Embedding innovations in normative frameworks accelerates the acceptance of new technologies in industry.
• Quality assurance: Standards create confidence in the performance and reliability of new technologies.
• Competitive advantage: Companies and research institutions that actively participate in standardization can strengthen their innovation leadership and influence new regulations at an early stage.
• International cooperation: Participation in European and international standardization committees promotes cross-border exchange and harmonizes standards.

In order to take advantage of these benefits, Fraunhofer IZFP is involved in various working groups and advisory boards of the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) and at European level in CEN.

DIN activities

Within the DIN Standards Committee for Materials Testing (NMP), the “Non-destructive Testing” department was founded. This department comprises all NMP working committees that deal with non-destructive testing methods. Two new working committees were also established:

• “Overarching topics in non-destructive testing” - NA062-11-01 AA: This committee deals with general topics such as terminology, data formats, data fusion and the coupling of formats.
• “Artificial intelligence in non-destructive testing” - NA062-11-05 AA: This committee deals with standardization projects that regulate the requirements for the use of AI technologies such as machine learning, neural networks and deep learning and related methods for non-destructive testing.

The department is managed by the NA062-11 FBR departmental advisory board, of which Fraunhofer IZFP is the deputy chair. The central objectives of this division are

• Increased visibility of standardization work in non-destructive testing
• More independence and self-determination within standardization in non-destructive testing
• Better integration of new topics into the standardization of non-destructive testing

Accreditation in accordance with DIN EN ISO 17025

In addition to its standardization activities, Fraunhofer IZFP operates a flexibly accredited testing laboratory in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025. This accreditation makes it possible to qualify and validate new non-destructive testing methods in accordance with standards. This means that previously non-standardized methods can also be quickly transferred to industrial use and developed to market maturity.