Valve Standard Reference
ISO 15848
InternationalMeasurement, Test, and Qualification Procedures for Fugitive Emissions — Industrial Valves
ISO 15848 defines the test procedures and acceptance criteria for fugitive emissions (stem leakage) from industrial valves — primarily the leakage of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), methane, and other greenhouse gases around the stem packing.
Overview — ISO 15848
ISO 15848 defines the test procedures and acceptance criteria for fugitive emissions (stem leakage) from industrial valves — primarily the leakage of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), methane, and other greenhouse gases around the stem packing. ISO 15848 compliance is increasingly required by EU regulations, US EPA Method 21, and project specifications to meet environmental and climate targets.
Scope
Part 1: Classification system and qualification procedures for type testing of valve stem seals. Part 2: Production acceptance testing. Covers gate, globe, ball, butterfly, and plug valves. Defines leak classes A, B, and C with methane leakage rates from <1 ppm to <100 ppm.
Applicable Valve Types
Gate Valves
Globe Valves
Ball Valves
Butterfly Valves
Plug Valves
Applicable Pressure Classes
Key Requirements — ISO 15848
Leak Class A: <1 ppm methane — highest emission-tightness, required for VOC-critical service
Leak Class B: <100 ppm methane — standard 'low-emission' qualification
Leak Class C: <500 ppm methane — basic fugitive emission control
Thermal cycling requirements (for high-temperature service) — Part 1
Mechanical endurance cycles (500–2500 cycles for gate/globe, 20,000–150,000 for ball/butterfly)
Production test: 100% stem leakage test with calibrated detector
Testing Requirements — ISO 15848
Type test per ISO 15848-1 (qualification)
Production test per ISO 15848-2 (100% or AQL sampling)
Helium or methane tracer gas
ISO-accredited test facility certificate
Documentation Required for ISO 15848 Compliance
ISO 15848 type test certificate (from accredited lab)
Leak class declaration on data sheet
Production test records (Part 2)
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