New VDMA standard sheets to define important standards for hydrogen plants

The German Engineering Federation (VDMA), Europe's largest mechanical engineering association, is continuing to drive forward standardisation in the hydrogen sector of the future. Several new drafts of VDMA standard sheets are intended to clarify and harmonise key technical and regulatory requirements for hydrogen plants.

VDMA standard sheets have long been regarded as practical technical guidelines, which are developed in efficient working groups comprising experts from industry and research. They provide manufacturers and operators with planning certainty, while also helping to reduce bureaucratic obstacles.

The new draft VDMA 69242‑1 provides a comprehensive application guide for assessing the risk of hydrogen plants. It includes:

• H2 generation plants
• H2 consumption plants
• H2 storage
• H2 transport within the plant boundaries (excluding long-distance transport, large-scale storage, mobility)

The aim of the document is to define a standardised methodology for analysing risks and determining the necessary risk reductions. The procedure is based on the principles of functional safety. Typical applications are prioritised and the production of the necessary function descriptions is described in detail.

To the VDMA draft

The draft VDMA 69243‑1:2026‑01 is a guide to regulatory requirements in Germany and Europe. It provides:

• An overview of the applicable regulations
• A guideline for the planning, construction and operation of H2 plants
• Assistance in dealing with national and European regulations

This harmonisation is intended to reduce uncertainty regarding the interpretation of regulatory requirements and facilitate investment.

Further information available under VDMA draft

The draft VDMA 35200:2026‑01 defines product category rules (PCR) for water electrolysers for the first time, so that:

• the CO₂ footprint (product carbon footprint, PCF)
• further environmental impact indicators

can be determined in a way that is standardised and comparable.

This marks an important step towards the standardisation of life cycle assessments (LCA) and environmental product declarations (EPD) in the field of hydrogen production. This creates transparency throughout the value chain and helps manufacturers and users assess sustainability.

Read complete draft

The opportunity to comment was closed at the beginning of March. The working groups are now continuing to work on the guidelines.

The new VDMA guidelines will undoubtedly play a key role in professionalising and standardising hydrogen technology in the future. They create certainty in planning, operation and assessing sustainability

Further information on

• Functional Safety and Industrial Security in the hydrogen industry
• Applications in the hydrogen industry

is available under Industry Solutions from Pilz: Hydrogen

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