On July 13th, news emerged that the inaugural international standard for electron linear accelerators used in radiation processing, spearheaded by China—IEC 63589-1:2026 Linear Accelerators - Electron Linear Accelerators for Radiation Processing - Part 1: General Requirements and Test Methods—has been formally issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Initially projected to require three years for completion, the standard was finalized in a mere two years, signifying China's advancement from 'equipment research and development' to 'standard-setting' in the realm of irradiation accelerators.

As pivotal equipment in the application of green nuclear technology, irradiation accelerators find extensive use in diverse fields such as polymer material modification, sterilization of medical consumables, preservation and quarantine of agricultural products, industrial waste treatment, and agricultural breeding. This standard was co-led by the China Institute of Atomic Energy and the National Institute of Standardization of the China National Nuclear Corporation. An international working group, comprising experts from various countries, was established to undertake the compilation process.