Standards explainer

IEC 60534 control valves: the parts tenders cite and what to check

A plain-English map of the IEC 60534 series for bid engineers at control valve and instrumentation makers, with a tag-by-tag datasheet checklist.

By Ademola Afolabi, Founder, New Odyssey Ltd · Last reviewed: 2026-10-23

The short answer

IEC 60534 is the international series of standards for industrial-process control valves. Its parts cover terminology, sizing, dimensions, inspection and seat leakage, marking, the data sheet and noise prediction. Tenders usually cite only some parts, so check each cited part against your sizing, test and datasheet practice.

Key Takeaways

IEC 60534 is a family of separate parts; a tender should say which ones apply.
Sizing (Part 2-1), inspection and seat leakage (Part 4) and noise prediction (Parts 8-3 and 8-4) cause most tender questions.
The standard gives noise prediction methods, not a noise limit; the limit comes from the project.
Many ISA 75 standards are aligned with IEC 60534 parts.

What the IEC 60534 series covers

IEC 60534 is published by the International Electrotechnical Commission under the title Industrial-process control valves. Each part is a separate document with its own edition. The table lists the parts that bid engineers meet most often.

IEC 60534 parts most often seen in tenders (own summary)
Part	What it covers in outline
Part 1	Control valve terminology and general considerations
Part 2-1	Flow capacity: sizing equations for fluid flow under installed conditions
Part 2-3	Flow capacity: test procedures
Part 2-4	Inherent flow characteristics and rangeability
Part 3-1	Face-to-face dimensions for flanged, two-way, globe-type control valves
Part 4	Inspection and routine testing, including seat leakage classes
Part 5	Marking
Part 6	Mounting details for attaching positioners to control valves
Part 7	Control valve data sheet
Parts 8-3 and 8-4	Noise prediction: aerodynamic (8-3) and hydrodynamic (8-4) flow

What to check in a control valve datasheet against the tender

Work tag by tag. Any gap becomes a row in your technical deviation list.

Control valve checks, tag by tag
Item	Check against	Typical deviation source
Process cases	Tender data sheet	Minimum or maximum case missing; units unclear
Sizing result and travel	Specification limits on travel at each case	Rated capacity too close to maximum case
Flow characteristic	Data sheet	Linear offered where equal percentage is specified, or the reverse
Seat leakage class	Specification and data sheet	Class IV offered where V or VI is required
Predicted noise	Project noise limit and prediction method	Prediction above limit; method or basis not stated
Body, trim and packing	Piping class, sour-service and emission requirements	Trim or packing outside specified materials or class
Face-to-face and ends	Piping class	Different face-to-face standard or flange facing
Actuator	Fail action, air supply, stroking time	Fail action or stroke time not met
Positioner and accessories	Signal, protocol, solenoids, switches	Different protocol or accessory make
Tests and documents	ITP and VDRL	Extra witness tests or calculations not priced

Where IEC 60534 sits with other requirements

A control valve tender usually adds a pressure-temperature rating standard such as ASME B16.34, sour-service rules such as NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156, fugitive emission testing to ISO 15848-1 and certificates to EN 10204. If the valve is a final element in a safety function, the tender will also cite IEC 61508 and IEC 61511.

Where OdysseyGPT fits

OdysseyGPT reads the whole tender package, lists each requirement with a quote and page, and checks it against your own datasheets and test procedures. It does not run sizing or noise calculations. See OdysseyGPT for manufacturing and instrumentation manufacturers.

Buyer questions

20 questions bid engineers, proposal engineers and buyers ask. Last reviewed: 2026-10-23

What does IEC 60534 cover?

IEC 60534 is the international series of standards for industrial-process control valves. It covers terminology, flow capacity and sizing, face-to-face dimensions, inspection and routine testing, marking, positioner mounting, the control valve data sheet, noise prediction and response testing. It is a family of separate parts, so a tender should say which parts apply rather than citing the series as a whole.

Which parts of IEC 60534 do control valve tenders cite most?

Tenders most often cite Part 2-1 for sizing equations, Part 4 for inspection, routine testing and seat leakage, Part 8-3 and 8-4 for aerodynamic and hydrodynamic noise prediction, and Part 7 for the data sheet. Part 3 covers face-to-face dimensions. Check the exact part numbers in the tender, because a loose reference to IEC 60534 alone is hard to price.

How does IEC 60534 relate to ISA 75 standards?

Many ISA 75 standards are closely aligned with IEC 60534 parts. For example, the ISA sizing equations standard is aligned with IEC 60534-2-1, so the two give consistent Cv results for the same data. US-based specifications often cite ISA, and international ones cite IEC. If a tender cites both, check whether any difference in edition matters for your sizing tool.

What seat leakage classes does IEC 60534 define?

IEC 60534-4 uses leakage classes I to VI, broadly matching the familiar ANSI/FCI 70-2 classes. Class IV and V are common for metal-seated control valves, and class VI is usually tied to soft seats. A frequent tender gap is a specification asking for class V or VI on a valve offered at class IV. Declare that as a deviation.

What is the difference between Kv and Cv in IEC 60534 sizing?

Both measure flow capacity. Kv is the metric form, in cubic metres per hour of water at a 1 bar pressure drop. Cv is the US form, in US gallons per minute of water at a 1 psi drop. Cv is about 1.16 times Kv. Check which one the tender's datasheet uses before you compare your rated value against the required one.

What are common deviations in control valve tenders?

Common ones are a lower seat leakage class than specified, a predicted noise level above the project limit, a different flow characteristic, and rated capacity too close to the maximum case. Others are actuator fail action, stroking time, positioner protocol and face-to-face dimension. Record each one with the clause and page in your technical deviation list.

Does IEC 60534 set a noise limit for control valves?

No. IEC 60534-8-3 and 8-4 give methods to predict aerodynamic and hydrodynamic noise. The limit itself, often a sound level at a set distance from the valve, comes from the project specification or local rules. Check which prediction method the tender wants, which operating cases you must report, and whether pipe schedule and insulation are part of the basis.

What is the IEC 60534-7 control valve data sheet?

IEC 60534-7 gives a standard data sheet layout for control valves. It lists process data, valve body, trim, actuator and accessories in a fixed order so buyer and maker read the same fields. Many projects use their own sheet or ISA specification forms instead. Whichever form the tender uses, fill every field or mark it as a clarification.

Why do buyers specify equal percentage or linear characteristics?

The inherent characteristic sets how flow changes with valve travel. Buyers pick one to suit the process and the pressure drop across the valve. Equal percentage is common where the drop changes a lot with flow, and linear where it stays steady. If you offer a different characteristic, declare it and give the reason, because it affects control performance.

Which operating cases should a control valve be sized for?

Size the valve for every case the tender gives, usually minimum, normal and maximum flow, and show the travel or opening at each one. Many specifications set a range of acceptable travel at normal and maximum flow. If a case is missing, ask for it. Do not assume a margin the buyer did not state, and show your sizing basis in the offer.

What routine tests does IEC 60534-4 cover?

IEC 60534-4 covers inspection and routine tests on control valves, such as hydrostatic shell testing, seat leakage testing and checks on travel and operation. Many specifications add witness points or extra tests in the ITP, such as stroke time, positioner calibration or packing emission tests. Check the ITP against your standard test procedure and price any added tests.

Which face-to-face standard applies to a globe control valve?

IEC 60534-3-1 gives face-to-face dimensions for flanged two-way globe-type control valves. Many US-based tenders cite the equivalent ISA standard. A mismatch here causes problems at installation, so check the dimension standard named in the piping class or datasheet against your valve, and declare any difference.

What do buyers check on the actuator and positioner of a control valve?

Buyers check actuator type, fail action, air supply range, thrust or torque margin, stroking time and the positioner make, signal and protocol, such as HART. Many also ask about limit switches, solenoids and volume boosters. IEC 60534-6 covers mounting details for positioners. See actuator manufacturers for how actuator makers review these tenders.

What documents do EPCs ask for with control valves?

EPCs usually ask for a completed data sheet per tag, sizing and noise calculations, general arrangement drawings, material certificates, test certificates and an ITP. Some ask for actuator sizing calculations and positioner configuration records. The full list usually sits in the VDRL. See the VDRL guide for how these lists are set out.

How do I check my control valve datasheet against a tender?

Go tag by tag. Compare process cases, sizing results, leakage class, noise prediction, characteristic, body and trim materials, end connections, face-to-face dimension, actuator and accessories against the tender sheet. Mark each line complies, deviates or clarification. Then check the parts of IEC 60534 the tender cites against your test and sizing procedures.

Does IEC 60534 cover control valves used in safety functions?

No. IEC 60534 covers control valve design, sizing and testing. If a valve is a final element in a safety instrumented function, the tender will also cite functional safety standards and ask for failure data and a safety manual. See IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 for what buyers ask for in that case.

Do control valve tenders ask for fugitive emission testing?

Often, yes. Many specifications now ask for packing qualified to a fugitive emission standard such as ISO 15848-1, with a stated tightness class. IEC 60534 itself is not a fugitive emission standard. Check which class and test the tender wants, and whether it covers the stem packing only or the body joints too.

How does OdysseyGPT check a control valve tender?

OdysseyGPT reads the whole tender package, including the specification, data sheets, material requisition and ITP. It lists each requirement with a quote and page, checks it against your own datasheets and test procedures, and gives it a status such as complies, deviates or clarification. The results export to an editable compliance matrix and deviations and clarifications list.

Can OdysseyGPT size a control valve or predict noise?

No. OdysseyGPT does not run sizing or noise calculations, and it does not hold a copy of IEC 60534. It compares what the tender requires with what your own documents state, such as your sizing output and datasheet. Your engineers run the calculations, decide each open item and own what goes to the customer.

Which other standards often appear in a control valve tender?

Control valve tenders often cite a pressure-temperature rating standard such as ASME B16.34, a sour-service standard such as NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156, a fugitive emission standard and a certificate standard such as EN 10204. Read them alongside the IEC 60534 parts, because each one adds checks to the same data sheet.

Frequently asked questions

Is IEC 60534 only for globe valves?

No. Most parts apply to control valves in general, including rotary types. Some parts, such as the face-to-face dimensions in Part 3-1, apply to a specific valve style.

Does IEC 60534 apply to on-off valves?

It is written for control valves. On-off and isolation valves are usually bought to product standards such as API 6D or ASME B16.34 instead.

References

IEC 60534 series: Industrial-process control valves

International Electrotechnical Commission

Buy each part from the IEC webstore or your national standards body.

Visit source

ANSI/FCI 70-2: Control valve seat leakage

Fluid Controls Institute

ISA 75 series: control valve standards

International Society of Automation

Pillar guide