IEC 60544-5:2011 covers ageing assessment methods which can be applied to components based on polymeric materials (e.g. cable insulation and jackets, elastomeric seals, polymeric coatings, gaiters) which are used in environments where they are exposed to radiation. The object of this standard is aimed at providing methods for the assessment of ageing in service. The approaches discussed in the following clauses cover ageing assessment programmes based on condition monitoring (CM), the use of sample deposits in severe environments and sampling of real-time aged components. This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition, published in 2003, and constitutes an editorial revision to align it with standards recently developed by SC 45A as well as with other parts in the IEC 60544 series.