Standards are reviewed at regular intervals to ensure that they are up to date. Should it become apparent that a standard no longer corresponds to the current state of the art, it will be withdrawn. Some standards are replaced by a new one, but some are also withdrawn without replacement. 

You can find out whether a standard you have is still valid by checking whether it is up to date:

 

As a general rule, we recommend that you use the latest edition of a standard.

However, withdrawn - thus “historical” - standards may in principle continue to be applied if this is agreed between contracting parties and not prohibited by law.

In this way, the procurement of spare parts for existing products or the continued operation of existing installations developed according to a withdrawn standard is possible.

Withdrawn standards can continue to be applied in connection with current standards if they are referred to therein with a dated reference.