From June 9 to 13, the 40th plenary session and working group meetings of ISO/TC23/SC18, the subcommittee on Irrigation and Drainage Equipment and Systems for Agricultural and Forestry Tractors and Machinery under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), were held in Hangzhou, with Jiangsu University serving as a co-organizer.
The Chinese delegation for agricultural machinery standards comprised 10 experts, including Zhang Xiansheng, Vice Chair of the National Agricultural Machinery Standardization Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Irrigation and Drainage Equipment and Systems; Lü Shusheng, Secretary-General of the National Agricultural Machinery Standardization Committee; Professors Yuan Shouqi and Zhang Jinfeng from Jiangsu University; Jin Shibin, Director of the Quality Inspection Institute of Wenling City; Senior Researchers Gao Benhu and Li Yanfeng from the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research; Yang Peizhong, Chairman, and Yang Qingya, General Manager of Henan Ruitong Water Conservancy Engineering Construction Group Co., Ltd.; and Tang Xianghui, Division Director at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Henan Province. Nearly 50 other experts from Israel, Brazil, the United States, Spain, India, South Korea, and other countries participated in the meetings both online and onsite.
The agenda of ISO/TC23/SC18 covered multiple working groups, including WG1 “Pressurized Irrigation Equipment — Definitions”, WG8 “Remote Monitoring Technology”, WG13 “Implementation of Pressurized Irrigation Systems”, AHG1 “Microirrigation Emitters — Clogging”, AHG3 “Nutrient Supply Devices”, and AHG4 “Reel-Moving Sprinkler Machines”. Discussions and coordination focused on a framework of international standards projects, such as ISO/DIS 24120-3 “Agricultural Irrigation Equipment — Guidelines for Implementation of Pressurized Irrigation Systems — Part 3: Sprinkler Irrigation”; ISO/DIS 21622-1 “Irrigation Techniques — Remote Monitoring of Irrigation Systems — Part 1: General”; ISO/PWI 21743 “Irrigation Techniques — Nutrient Supply Devices — General Requirements”; ISO/PWI 21742 “Irrigation Techniques — Organic Agriculture”; and ISO/PWI 21776 “Irrigation Techniques — Agricultural Irrigation Equipment — Test Methods for Evaluating Sprinkler Clogging”.
The Jiangsu University delegation actively participated throughout the proceedings, offering constructive proposals on core topics such as irrigation system optimization and test methods for sprinkler clogging, grounded in China’s practical experiences in standards application. These contributions received high recognition from the international community.
In addition, Professors Yuan Shouqi and Zhang Jinfeng delivered detailed presentations on the revision of ISO 8224-1 “Reel-Moving Sprinkler Machines — Part 1: Specifications for Performance and Laboratory and Field Test Methods”, addressing technical indicators, operational convenience, adaptability, and other dimensions. As a result, the ISO/TC23/SC18 Secretariat recommended that AHG4, convened by Professor Yuan Shouqi, be formally upgraded to WG14 to continue drafting the ISO 8224-1 revision project, encouraging active international expert participation. The revision aims to adapt test methods and performance criteria to current and future application scenarios, potentially exerting a significant impact on the advancement of global sprinkler irrigation technology.
The meetings marked several critical breakthroughs in Jiangsu University’s international standardization efforts in irrigation and drainage machinery. Professor Yuan Shouqi’s team — particularly in their role as convener of the ISO 8224-1 revision project — leveraged deep research expertise and technical leadership to elevate the university’s academic standing and reputation within the global standards community. This not only laid a solid foundation for the university’s international development and academic collaborations but also effectively communicated China’s perspectives on the international stage, thereby contributing to the nation’s technical strength and discourse power in the irrigation and drainage machinery sector.
