UNI 11998:2025: the new standard defining VEPA systems

The role of New Time S.p.A. in a key transition for the sector

With the publication of UNI 11998:2025 on December 11, 2025, the market for removable glazed systems (VEPA) finally enters a phase of regulatory clarity. After years of non-uniform interpretations, a national technical reference is now in place, clearly defining what VEPA systems are, where they can be installed, and which performance requirements they must meet.

 

What UNI 11998:2025 is

UNI 11998:2025 – “Removable glazed systems – Classification, functional and performance characteristics” regulates manually operated removable glazed systems installed in a vertical position, designed to enclose open or partially open spaces without creating new permanent building volumes.

The standard applies to balconies, loggias, porticoes, terraces, pergolas, gazebos and outdoor dining areas, establishing clear criteria regarding removability, natural ventilation, safety and minimum performance requirements, including resistance to impact and wind, glass safety and mechanical component requirements.

 

The contribution of New Time S.p.A.

UNI 11998:2025 is the result of more than 30 months of work by a UNI technical committee involving the main operators in the sector. New Time S.p.A., holding company of Lumyra Glass, actively contributed to the development of the standard, bringing an industrial approach based on engineered system design, laboratory testing, process control and production traceability.

This approach anticipated the contents of the standard, making New Time systems already compliant with the requirements that are now officially in force.

 

Safety, standards and taxation aligned

UNI 11998:2025 clearly defines where different types of glass can be used in removable glazed systems.
Laminated safety glass is allowed only in configurations where there is no risk of falling into a void.
Tempered glass, compliant with UNI EN 12150-1, can instead be used in all applications, including those installed above parapets.

This distinction is based on safety considerations: in the absence of a continuous perimeter frame, laminated glass may present a risk of the entire pane falling in the event of breakage. For this reason, the standard identifies tempered glass as the correct solution for elevated VEPA installations—a choice adopted by New Time since the initial design of its systems.

 

Il Sole 24 Ore

The value of the new standard and the role of New Time have also been acknowledged by Il Sole 24 Ore, which dedicated an in-depth article to UNI 11998:2025, highlighting how New Time represents an industrial benchmark already fully aligned with the regulatory, technical and fiscal requirements of the new framework.

 

A new scenario for the market

With UNI 11998:2025, the VEPA sector enters a new phase characterized by clear rules, certified safety and industrial responsibility. In this context, New Time continues to stand out for having designed a system fully consistent with the standard even before it became mandatory.