How Do Automation Systems Comply with ISO and IEC Standards?
- sofconblogadmin
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In the world of industrial automation, efficiency, precision, and safety are top priorities. But achieving these goals isn’t just about advanced technologies or smart machines — it’s also about compliance.
Automation systems must follow globally recognized ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards to ensure reliability, safety, interoperability, and quality.
In this blog, we’ll explore how automation systems comply with ISO and IEC standards, why these standards matter, and what specific standards govern modern industrial automation.
Why Are Standards Important in Industrial Automation?
Standards provide a common language and framework for designing, implementing, and maintaining automation systems.
Without standardized guidelines, each manufacturer or integrator might design systems differently — leading to compatibility issues, safety risks, and inefficiency in global operations.
Key Reasons Standards Are Crucial:
- Ensure safety of workers, machines, and processes
- Guarantee quality and reliability of automated systems
- Enable interoperability between components from different vendors
- Reduce costs by avoiding redundant testing or redesign
- Facilitate global trade and compliance with regulations
In short, ISO and IEC standards act as the rulebook for building and running smart factories efficiently and safely.
Understanding ISO and IEC Standards
- ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
The ISO develops and publishes international standards across various industries — including quality management, safety, environment, and information systems.
In automation, ISO focuses on process management, data integrity, and system quality.
- IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)
The IEC develops standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies — including automation, robotics, control systems, and safety.
IEC standards guide how industrial control systems should be designed, programmed, and maintained to ensure electrical safety, performance, and interoperability.
Key ISO Standards for Automation Systems
- ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
This standard ensures automation system manufacturers maintain consistent product quality and continuous improvement.
It defines quality management principles like customer focus, leadership, and process approach.
It ensures production processes are monitored, controlled, and documented.
ISO 9001 is used by most automation and manufacturing companies worldwide.
- ISO 50001 – Energy Management Systems
Automation systems often consume significant energy. ISO 50001 helps organizations monitor energy consumption, improve operational efficiency, and reduce energy costs and environmental impact.
- ISO 13849 – Safety of Machinery (Control Systems)
This standard defines safety requirements for control systems to ensure machinery operates without endangering humans. It focuses on safety-related parts of control systems and helps design systems with predictable responses to faults.
- ISO 27001 – Information Security Management
As automation integrates with IT (via IIoT and cloud), cybersecurity becomes critical. ISO 27001 protects sensitive industrial data and establishes protocols for risk management and secure communication.
Key IEC Standards for Automation Systems
- IEC 61131 – Programmable Controllers
Defines the architecture, programming languages, and functionality of PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers).
It provides standard programming languages like Ladder Diagram (LD), Structured Text (ST), and Function Block Diagram (FBD), ensuring PLC programs are portable across vendors.
- IEC 61508 – Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic Systems
This is a critical standard forming the foundation for all safety-related automation systems.
It focuses on preventing dangerous failures in electrical/electronic control systems and defines Safety Integrity Levels (SIL 1 to SIL 4).
IEC 61508 serves as the basis for other standards like IEC 62061 and ISO 13849.
- IEC 62061 – Safety of Machinery (Functional Safety)
Derived from IEC 61508, this standard applies specifically to machinery control systems. It provides a framework to design and validate safe automation systems and ensures that systems meet defined SIL levels.
- IEC 62443 – Industrial Cybersecurity
A key standard for securing industrial automation and control systems (IACS). It defines cybersecurity lifecycle management, protects automation networks from cyber threats, and is essential for modern IIoT and Industry 4.0 environments.
- IEC 61499 – Distributed Automation Systems
A newer standard extending IEC 61131, focusing on distributed and event-driven control. It supports modular and reusable control software, designed for interconnected smart factories.
How Automation Systems Achieve Compliance
Compliance with ISO and IEC standards isn’t automatic — it requires systematic implementation across hardware, software, and processes.
- System Design and Risk Assessment
Engineers start by performing a risk assessment in line with standards like ISO 13849 and IEC 61508 to identify potential hazards and design fail-safe systems.
- Using Certified Components
Using certified PLCs, sensors, actuators, and controllers ensures hardware complies with IEC and ISO requirements.
Manufacturers often provide documentation showing compliance with relevant standards.
- Software Development Standards
Developers follow standardized coding practices as per IEC 61131 or IEC 61499 to ensure interoperability, reliability, and maintainability.
- Documentation and Quality Control
Companies maintain strict documentation, version control, and quality audits under ISO 9001.
This helps ensure traceability, accountability, and regulatory compliance.
- Testing and Validation
Systems undergo functional safety testing and SIL verification based on IEC 61508 and IEC 62061.
Only after successful validation can the system be marked as compliant.
- Cybersecurity Compliance
Modern automation systems integrate with IT networks, making IEC 62443 compliance crucial for protecting data and control networks from cyberattacks.
Benefits of ISO and IEC Compliance in Automation
- Enhanced safety by reducing risk of accidents and system failures
- Improved reliability through consistent performance
- Global acceptance that simplifies international trade and integration
- Cybersecurity readiness for modern connected systems
- Customer trust through certified quality and professionalism
Challenges in Compliance
While standards ensure safety and reliability, compliance can be complex and costly.
Common Challenges Include:
- Continuous updates to standards
- Need for specialized engineers and auditors
- Integrating legacy equipment with modern standards
- Maintaining cybersecurity across connected systems
Despite these challenges, companies that prioritize compliance gain long-term benefits in efficiency, reputation, and safety.
The Future of Standards in Automation
As industries evolve toward Industry 4.0, new standards are emerging to cover areas such as:
- Artificial intelligence in automation systems
- Digital twins and simulation environments
- 5G-enabled industrial networks
- Sustainability and green manufacturing
ISO and IEC continue to update their frameworks to ensure safe, secure, and interoperable automation in an increasingly connected world.
Conclusion
Compliance with ISO and IEC standards is not just a legal requirement — it is the foundation of trust, safety, and excellence in industrial automation.
Whether it’s ensuring the functional safety of a control system (IEC 61508), maintaining quality processes (ISO 9001), or achieving cybersecurity resilience (IEC 62443), these standards provide the framework for safe, efficient, and future-ready industries.
By embracing these standards, automation companies position themselves for global competitiveness, innovation, and long-term success.