Understanding Internal Combustion Engine Standards: Enhancing Productivity, Safety, and Emissions Compliance
- Valentina Bosenko
- Feb 20
- 8 min read
Internal combustion engines are at the core of modern energy, manufacturing, and transportation sectors. As engines drive everything from ships and trains to generators and process industry equipment, managing their noise emissions, vibration, and exhaust output is mission-critical—not just for efficiency but also for regulatory, safety, and environmental reasons. In this comprehensive guide, we unpack four pivotal international standards for reciprocating internal combustion engines—ISO 13332:2026, ISO 15619:2025, ISO 6798-3:2022, and ISO 8178-2:2021—laying out their requirements, key applications, and the far-reaching business value they offer.
Overview / Introduction
The internal combustion engine (ICE) remains one of the world’s most versatile sources of mechanical power, powering non-road machinery, ships, industrial trucks, rail traction, and critical backup systems. With the global focus on sustainable operations, safety, and regulatory compliance, industrial users and manufacturers must pay close attention not just to engine performance, but also to aspects such as structure-borne noise, exhaust noise, sound power levels, and field emissions monitoring.
International standards play a crucial role in this domain. They ensure:
Consistent performance evaluation and reporting
Benchmarking and cross-industry comparability
Easier product scaling and international market access
Reduced risks and legal exposure by ensuring regulatory compliance
Increased productivity thanks to standardized best practices
In this article, you will learn about four authoritative ISO standards governing internal combustion engines, what they cover, and why implementing these specifications is now more essential than ever for businesses.
Detailed Standards Coverage
ISO 13332:2026 - Structure-Borne Noise Measurement at Engine Feet
Reciprocating internal combustion engines — Test code for the measurement of structure-borne noise emitted from high-speed and medium-speed reciprocating internal combustion engines measured at the engine feet
ISO 13332:2026 sets out the engineering method for measuring the vibration (structure-borne noise) produced by high-speed and medium-speed reciprocating internal combustion engines, using readings at the engine feet. This method is vital for understanding how engines transfer vibrations into their supporting structures—information crucial for preventing noise issues in buildings, marine environments, and stationary installations.
Scope and Application:
The standard is not suitable for low-speed engines, nor for agriculture, road vehicles or aircraft, but covers engines used for land, rail, marine, construction, and industrial trucks.
Tests may be performed on a test bench or on-site, depending on agreement between the user and the manufacturer.
Key Requirements and Specifications:
Describes setup for accurately measuring vibrations: instrument selection, mounting arrangements, calibration processes, and environmental controls (including temperature and atmospheric conditions).
Specifies mathematical formulas for calculating time-averaged translational and angular velocity levels, taking into account various directions and axes of vibration.
Addresses uncertainty, data recording, and reporting requirements, ensuring repeatable, comparable results.
Who Needs to Comply:
Engine manufacturers
Industrial facility operators and maintenance teams
Marine and rail system integrators
Constructors of power generation installations
Practical Implications for Implementation:
Insights derived from measurement enable better engine mount design, noise abatement strategies, and selection between competing engine options.
Essential for specifying compliance in contracts or in regulatory documentation, particularly where occupant comfort, building codes, or shipboard vibration standards are a concern.
Key highlights:
Focus on structure-borne (not airborne) noise for precise design and mitigation
Clear definition of frequency limits for accurate reporting
Includes methods for correction and reporting uncertainty
Access the full standard: View ISO 13332:2026 on iTeh Standards
ISO 15619:2025 - Measurement Method for Exhaust Silencers
Reciprocating internal combustion engines — Measurement method for exhaust silencers — Sound power level of exhaust noise and insertion loss using sound pressure and power loss ratio
ISO 15619:2025 delivers a comprehensive framework for measuring the acoustic performance of exhaust silencers (often called mufflers) used on reciprocating internal combustion engines. Both laboratory and on-site measurement methods are specified, allowing for practical assessment in different real-world scenarios.
Scope and Application:
Applies to all exhaust silencers fitted to engines within the field of ISO 3046-1 (general reciprocating IC engines) and any for which no better standard exists.
Silencers in non-road, industrial, marine, and other sectors are included.
Key Requirements and Specifications:
Sound power level of exhaust noise is determined using microphone arrays and sound pressure calculations.
Defines how to measure silencer insertion loss (the difference in noise with and without the silencer) and assesses power loss ratio, reflecting the trade-off between noise attenuation and engine back pressure.
Details both engineering and survey measurement methods for flexibility between accuracy and practicality.
Demands proper acoustic environment and calibration procedures, background noise control, and thorough reporting.
Who Needs to Comply:
Silencer manufacturers
Engine OEMs and installers
Operations and maintenance personnel concerned with noise regulations
Practical Implications for Implementation:
Ensures that noise reduction targets are met without incurring unacceptable engine performance penalties.
Supports documentation for compliance with environmental and workplace noise regulations.
Provides data for product development and customer guarantee purposes.
Key highlights:
Measures both noise reduction (insertion loss) and impact on engine efficiency
Realistic site measurement allows assessment after installation
Methodology applicable to a wide range of silencer designs
Access the full standard: View ISO 15619:2025 on iTeh Standards
ISO 6798-3:2022 - In Situ Survey Method for Sound Power Level
Reciprocating internal combustion engines — Measurement of sound power level using sound pressure
ISO 6798-3:2022 focuses on a practical, survey-grade methodology for measuring the sound power levelof reciprocating internal combustion engines where they are actually used—in situ, outside controlled lab environments. This standard is designed to facilitate field surveys by balancing accuracy, practicality, and cost.
Scope and Application:
The standard applies to all reciprocating internal combustion engines covered by ISO 3046-1, as well as engines lacking specialized standards for noise measurement.
It enables sound power evaluations in real-world operating conditions, such as factories, marine environments, or installed power plants.
Key Requirements and Specifications:
Defines the layout and positioning of microphones and measurement surfaces, requirements for background noise control, and reference sound sources.
Provides formulas for corrections related to background noise, environmental factors, and measurement surface geometries.
Covers equipment calibration and checks, data collection, and calculation of A-weighted sound power levels (in decibels).
Specifies the information to include in the test report to ensure transparency and replicability.
Who Needs to Comply:
Facilities required to monitor and report noise emissions
Manufacturers seeking to validate noise performance on site
Consultants, contractors, and acoustic engineers involved in retrofit or expansion projects
Practical Implications for Implementation:
Enables organizations to assess compliance with contractual or regulatory noise limits after installation
Supports direct comparisons between different engines or noise reduction measures
Key highlights:
Survey approach is practical for on-site audits and compliance checks
Suited for acceptance testing and engineering noise diagnostics
Includes measures for measuring uncertainty and ensures results are not overly dependent on test environment
Access the full standard: View ISO 6798-3:2022 on iTeh Standards
ISO 8178-2:2021 - Field Measurement of Exhaust Emissions
Reciprocating internal combustion engines — Exhaust emission measurement — Part 2: Measurement of gaseous and particulate exhaust emissions under field conditions
ISO 8178-2:2021 defines authoritative methods for measuring gaseous and particulate emissions from reciprocating internal combustion engines operating in actual field environments. This covers engines in non-road machinery, marine power systems, industrial generators, and more. As emissions regulations become more stringent worldwide, reliable field measurement is essential for demonstrating compliance, optimizing performance, and minimizing environmental impact.
Scope and Application:
Applies when laboratory testing (on a dynamometer) isn’t feasible or when a true reflection of in-service emissions is required
Suitable for a diverse set of applications: construction equipment, rail, marine, generators, and industrial plant equipment
Key Requirements and Specifications:
Includes procedures for both single operating point measurements and weighted cycle-based field tests
Covers setup of sampling probes, selection and calibration of portable emission measurement systems (PEMS), and data processing rules
Requires thorough records of test fuel, lubricants, ambient and operating conditions, and measurement equipment
Test results must account for measurement uncertainty and be reported transparently
Who Needs to Comply:
Engine manufacturers and OEMs
Operators of industrial, non-road, and marine equipment subject to emission regulations
Emissions monitoring contractors and consultants
Practical Implications for Implementation:
Provides a recognized basis for compliance with local, national, or international emissions standards
Forms the basis for emissions certification and product documentation in tenders or market approval processes
Key highlights:
Field-based approach reflects real operational emissions
Mandates use of portable, state-of-the-art measurement systems
Facilitates meaningful comparison across diverse engine installations
Access the full standard: View ISO 8178-2:2021 on iTeh Standards
Industry Impact & Compliance
Implementing international standards for internal combustion engines delivers broad, tangible benefits for organizations, manufacturers, and users:
Why Businesses Must Embrace These Standards
Regulatory Compliance: Environmental agencies and workplace safety authorities are increasingly referencing these ISO standards during audits and permitting. Compliance reduces the risk of fines, lawsuits, or forced shutdowns.
Market Access: Certified compliance opens doors to international markets, streamlines procurement, and provides assurance to customers and partners.
Operational Safety & Comfort: Reducing vibration and noise protects workers, prevents equipment fatigue, and keeps building environments hospitable.
Scalability & Efficiency: Standardized procedures mean easier scalability for products and plants, as practices can be replicated across new sites or projects.
Reputation & Competitive Advantage: Transparent measurement and reporting processes enhance trust with regulators, investors, and the public.
Benefits of Compliance
Legal protection with documented procedures
Reliable, repeatable data that supports internal improvement and customer assurance
Cost reductions due to fewer errors or compliance violations
Enhanced productivity by minimizing downtime due to noise or vibration issues
Risks of Non-Compliance
Fines and legal action from regulatory authorities
Project delays due to rejected commissioning or insufficient documentation
Reduced product competitiveness
Increased risk of workplace incidents or community complaints
Implementation Guidance
Adopting international standards for internal combustion engines is a strategic process that pays dividends not just in compliance, but in quality, productivity, and reputation.
Common Implementation Approaches
Gap Analysis: Review current measurement and reporting processes alongside the requirements of each standard. Identify gaps in instrumentation, reporting, or staff training.
Equipment Upgrade: Invest in certified sensors, sound meters, emissions analysers, and software tools needed to fulfill the measured parameters and accuracy classes required by the standards.
Staff Training: Ensure engineers, operators, and maintenance teams are trained on the latest measurement methods and reporting protocols. Regular training sessions drive consistent outcomes.
Procedure Documentation: Use the standards to create or update internal measurement procedures, ensuring tests are repeatable and auditable.
Continual Improvement: Establish feedback loops, using data from tests and audits to refine mounting hardware, silencer designs, operational practices, and emissions controls.
Engage Accredited Laboratories: For critical measurements, particularly emissions or vibration tests that require regulatory approval, work with accredited labs or certified consultants.
Best Practices for Adopting These Standards
Document every step: Maintain a clear record of equipment, environmental conditions, calibration certificates, and test results.
Keep calibration schedules current: Regular calibration of microphones, vibration sensors, and analyzers ensures accuracy and repeatability.
Review updates: Standards are periodically revised; subscribe to updates from recognized publishers like iTeh Standards.
Integrate with EHS and QA systems: Ensure measurements support environmental, health, safety, and quality systems for integrated compliance.
Benchmark results: Leverage standardized data for continuous improvement and for competitive benchmarking.
Resources
International Standards Bodies (ISO, IEC)
Accredited test labs and consultancies
Equipment suppliers with certified measurement instruments
Authoritative publishing platforms such as iTeh Standards
Conclusion / Next Steps
International standards for reciprocating internal combustion engines—covering structure-borne noise, exhaust silencer performance, in-situ sound power measurement, and field emissions—are indispensable tools for today’s energy and heat sector. By implementing ISO 13332:2026, ISO 15619:2025, ISO 6798-3:2022, and ISO 8178-2:2021, businesses secure the foundation for stronger compliance, higher productivity, improved safety, and reliable market positioning.
Key Takeaways:
Standards ensure comparable, repeatable, and actionable data for noise, vibration, and emissions
Compliance directly reduces risk, improves efficiency, and facilitates business growth
Integrating these specifications into your operational workflow is now not just best practice, but a strategic business imperative
Recommendation: Review your organization’s current approach to engine measurement and reporting. Leverage the resources and direct-access standards links provided below to stay competitive and compliant as technology and regulations evolve.
Explore the full text of these critical standards on iTeh Standards for in-depth requirements and implementation support.
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