Standardisation of VIPs Worldwide
VIPA International is active in the Standardisation of VIPs worldwide. The association cooperates with several standardisation committees, providing information through the expertise of the members of the VIPA Technical Working Group, commissioning technical studies to advance the understanding of VIPs, improve harmonised testing methods and the product itself.
Standardisation efforts are ongoing in the following regions:
International level
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has been working on a standard for VIPs since 2018. ISO/TC 163/SC 3, Working Group 11 is developing the standard ISO/AWI 16478 for vacuum insulation panels. Phalguni Mukhopadhyaya (University of Victoria, Canada) is the convenor of the group.
Europe
At European level, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is active in the standardisation of VIPs with the Technical Committee 88 (thermal insulating materials and products) Working Group 11 (vacuum insulation products – VIP) (CEN/TC 88/WG 11). The CEN Standard on Thermal insulation products for buildings – Factory made Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIP) – Specification (EN 17140:2020) was published on 21 October 2020. It now awaits final publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
VIPA International has a liaison status at CEN and actively contributed to the development of the standard.
China
The Chinese national standard Vacuum Insulation Panels GB/T 37608-2019 has been published on 4 June 2019. The standard was drafted by Nanjing Fiberglass Research & Design Institute, together with many other institutes, colleges, producers and users over 3 years and entered into force on 1 May 2020. It includes the range, terms and definitions, classifications and marks, demands of technique, test methods, etc. The standard is for VIPs applying to architecture and industry in the range of -40°C to -70°C. It refers to important terms such as centre-of-panel thermal conductivity, effective thermal conductivity and service life, which show the key concepts of VIPs to the users and producers objectively.