Overview
EN ISO 17268-1:2025 (EN ISO 17268-1:2025 / ISO 17268-1:2025) defines design, safety and operational requirements for gaseous hydrogen land vehicle (GHLV) refuelling connection devices with flow capacities up to and including 120 g/s. Applicable devices include vehicle-mounted receptacles and protective caps, nozzles and associated communication hardware. The standard covers connectors rated for hydrogen service up to 70 MPa nominal working pressure and maximum flow rates up to 120 g/s. It does not apply to refuelling connectors dispensing blends of hydrogen with natural gas.
Keywords: gaseous hydrogen, land vehicle refuelling, refuelling connectors, ISO 17268-1:2025, flow capacities up to 120 g/s, 70 MPa, hydrogen refuelling standards.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard establishes technical requirements and verification tests that manufacturers, integrators and test laboratories must consider when designing and validating hydrogen refuelling connectors:
- Component scope: receptacle (vehicle-mounted) and protective cap, nozzle, communication hardware.
- Design and construction: general construction requirements for safe and durable connectors suitable for high-pressure hydrogen (up to 70 MPa).
- Performance limits: intended for maximum flow rates up to 120 g/s.
- Design verification and test procedures, including:
- nozzle and receptacle functional tests
- leakage testing at room and extreme temperatures
- hydrostatic strength, corrosion resistance and deformation tests
- durability, maintainability and wear tests (nozzle, check valve, connector)
- vibration resistance, dropping, abnormal loads and rocking tests
- thermal cycling, cold gas and washout tests
- misconnection and upward/downward compatibility tests
- communication and user–machine interface tests
- sealing material aging, ozone/oxygen exposure and hydrogen resistance tests for non‑metallic materials
- Instructions and marking: mandatory and optional marking and user instructions to ensure safe use and serviceability.
Practical applications and users
This standard is essential for:
- Hydrogen refuelling station designers and operators - to ensure safe dispensing hardware and compatibility with vehicle receptacles.
- Automotive and component manufacturers - to design compliant receptacles, protective caps, nozzles and communication systems.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - to perform the standardized verification and durability tests.
- Regulators and infrastructure planners - to adopt harmonized safety and interoperability requirements for high‑pressure hydrogen refuelling.
- Maintenance providers - for guidance on serviceability, marking and durability expectations.
Related standards and context
- EN ISO 17268-1:2025 supersedes EN ISO 17268:2020.
- Prepared by ISO/TC 197 (Hydrogen technologies) and CEN/TC 268; published as a European Standard via CEN.
- Part of the ISO work on hydrogen refuelling interoperability - consult national standards bodies for related parts in the ISO 17268 series and harmonized European regulations.
For manufacturers and station operators, implementing ISO 17268-1:2025 supports safe, interoperable, and durable gaseous hydrogen refuelling connectors for land vehicles at flows up to 120 g/s.
