Industrial Process Measurement and Control: Key Standards for Next-Generation Manufacturing

Modern manufacturing relies heavily on accurate data, automated systems, and secure communication networks. In this dynamic landscape, the adoption of robust international standards is not just advisable—it's essential. Four recently updated standards—IEC 61298-1:2026, IEC 62828-1:2026, IEC 62828-2:2026, and IEC/IEEE 60802:2026—provide a comprehensive framework for organizations striving to enhance compliance, productivity, safety, and scalability through state-of-the-art process measurement and control technologies. With rapid digital transformation and industry automation, these standards serve as the backbone for integrating advanced instrumentation and resilient networking into everyday industrial workflows.

Overview / Introduction

The Evolving World of Manufacturing and Automation

The manufacturing sector today is a blend of cutting-edge technology, precise process control, and continuous data monitoring. Whether producing chemicals, electronics, food, pharmaceuticals, or machinery, maintaining accuracy in measurement and control systems has never been more critical. Digitalization, Industry 4.0, smart factories, and the increasing use of industrial IoT demand transparent, reliable, and standardized approaches to process instrumentation and networking.

Why Standards Matter

International standards offer trusted, harmonized procedures and requirements that drive quality, safety, and reliability. By establishing universal criteria for the evaluation, testing, and networking of process devices and data systems, organizations ensure:

• Reduced risk of failure or downtime
• Greater interoperability and integration between devices
• Easier scalability and modernization
• Streamlined certification and compliance processes

What to Expect

This guide explores four cornerstone standards for industrial process measurement and control, outlining:

• The scope and significance of each standard
• Its practical application in manufacturing
• Implementation benefits and insights
• Compliance strategies and best practices

Whether you're modernizing operations, investing in automation, or safeguarding system integrity, understanding and applying these standards is vital for future-ready manufacturing.

Detailed Standards Coverage

IEC 61298-1:2026 – General Considerations for Process Measurement and Control Devices

Process measurement and control devices – General methods and procedures for evaluating performance – Part 1: General considerations

What this standard covers: IEC 61298-1:2026 specifies foundational methods and procedures for testing, evaluating, and reporting on the performance characteristics of process measurement and control devices—except for process measurement transmitters (PMTs), which are addressed separately by the IEC 62828 series. The standard provides a common reference for both analogue and digital devices, applicable across a range of manufacturing and industrial sectors.

The standard outlines:

• Criteria for conducting performance and functional testing
• Defining test categories, conditions, and documentation
• Establishing repeatable, realistic operating conditions
• Ensuring the independence and reproducibility of test results

Key requirements and specifications:

• Defines how performance characteristics should be assessed in real-world operating environments
• Outlines the parameters for environmental conditions, power supply, mechanical mounting, and vibration
• Details how to prepare, execute, and document test results
• Includes procedures for test laboratory preparation, traceability, and calibration
• Sets general principles for evaluating non-linearity, hysteresis, repeatability, and error

Who needs to comply:

• Manufacturers and users of industrial measurement and control devices (except PMTs)
• Testing laboratories
• Quality assurance and compliance personnel
• System integrators involved in control system installation or validation

Practical implications:

• Creates a uniform benchmark for device evaluation
• Facilitates effective selection and procurement of instrumentation
• Supports interoperability and simplifies integration into larger control systems

Notable updates for the 2026 edition:

• Removal of PMTs from the standard's scope, which are now addressed in the IEC 62828 series
• Technical revision aligning with the newest industry practices

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive methods for evaluating all types of process control devices
• Focus on realistic, field-relevant conditions
• Emphasis on documentation, calibration, and traceability

Access the full standard:View IEC 61298-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62828-1:2026 – General Procedures for Industrial and Process Measurement Transmitters (PMTs)

Reference conditions and procedures for testing industrial and process measurement transmitters – Part 1: General procedures for all types of transmitters

What this standard covers: IEC 62828-1:2026 establishes the foundational framework for testing the measurement performance of all types of process measurement transmitters—devices that translate physical or chemical process variables like pressure, temperature, or flow into standardized electrical signals. The standard differentiates between analogue and digital PMTs, addressing the specific needs of each.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Defines standard reference conditions (temperature, humidity, mounting position, etc.) for repeatable, comparable testing
• Outlines procedures for evaluating accuracy, inaccuracy, warm-up time, settling time, and signal output
• Covers both type testing and routine, periodic, and maintenance testing
• Contains structured documentation guidance, including error reporting and test record-keeping
• Addresses additional requirements for digital PMTs (including hybrid analogue/digital outputs)
• Specifies test equipment traceability and measurement uncertainty criteria

Who needs to comply:

• Manufacturers of process measurement transmitters
• Utilities and industries (chemicals, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, energy, food & beverage) that deploy PMTs
• Engineering consultants, testing labs, and quality managers

Practical implications:

• Facilitates side-by-side comparison of transmitter performance from different suppliers
• Essential for maintaining calibration, accuracy and traceability in regulated and safety-critical industries
• Lays the groundwork for all other parts of the IEC 62828 series, which provide detailed, transmitter-type-specific tests

Notable features in the 2026 edition:

• Merges and clarifies procedural definitions around accuracy, inaccuracy, and signal output
• Adds a comprehensive example for the industry-standard 4–20 mA signal
• Updates documentation protocols and calibration tracking

Key highlights:

• Universal test framework for all PMT types
• Updated best practices for analogue and digital outputs
• Detailed, standardized test reporting requirements

Access the full standard:View IEC 62828-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 62828-2:2026 – Procedures for Pressure Transmitters

Reference conditions and procedures for testing industrial and process measurement transmitters – Part 2: Specific procedures for pressure transmitters

What this standard covers: IEC 62828-2:2026 provides in-depth testing procedures and requirements specific to pressure measurement transmitters—a critical device class across manufacturing processes. Whether measuring absolute, differential, or relative pressure, this standard details how transmitters should be tested and verified under both standard and process-specific conditions.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Procedures for type tests, acceptance tests, and routine tests specific to pressure PMTs
• Evaluation of overpressure, static pressure, and long-term drift
• Provision for pressure transmitters with remote seals (testing complete assemblies as needed)
• Testing protocols for device accuracy, leak tightness, response to burst or overload conditions, temperature influence, and documentation
• Definitions and calculation formulas for performance parameters and error tolerances

Who needs to comply:

• Device manufacturers, users, and testing bodies in industries where pressure measurement is critical (oil & gas, process chemicals, water treatment, energy)
• Quality assurance, calibration, and maintenance teams

Practical implications:

• Ensures pressure transmitters deliver reliable, accurate readings, minimizing process risk
• Standardizes test results for regulatory and procurement purposes
• Addresses the special needs of advanced, digital, and mechanically complex transmitters, facilitating safe and compliant deployment

Notable updates for the 2026 edition:

• Revised error calculation formulas and precise terminology
• Expanded and updated long-term drift assessments
• Added coverage for main characteristics and extended test protocols

Key highlights:

• Tailored test coverage for pressure measurement technologies
• Harmonized terminology and formulas for performance evaluation
• Extension of test requirements supporting advanced and digital transmitter types

Access the full standard:View IEC 62828-2:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC/IEEE 60802:2026 – Time-Sensitive Networking Profile for Industrial Automation

Time-sensitive networking profile for industrial automation

What this standard covers: IEC/IEEE 60802:2026 defines profiles, features, and data models for building reliable, real-time, and interoperable industrial automation networks based on Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) technologies. It specifies how Ethernet-based networks can be configured to provide deterministic, low-latency communications suitable for critical automation and process control tasks.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Feature sets, defaults, and mandatory options for TSN bridges, end stations, and LANs
• YANG modules for device configuration, network diagnostics, data sheet reporting, and remote operations
• Mechanisms for time synchronization, redundancy, prioritized communications, and robust security across industrial networks
• Security configurations for device identity, secure provisioning, access control, and encrypted management
• Compliance and conformance requirements for industrial network devices

Who needs to comply:

• Industrial automation vendors deploying time-sensitive control systems
• End users and integrators of smart factory infrastructure
• Networking engineers and system architects
• Operations teams requiring deterministic networking for process-critical tasks

Practical implications:

• Enables unified, multi-vendor networks for highly coordinated automation
• Supports new levels of real-time operational integrity and data availability
• Offers the scalability and resilience necessary for Industry 4.0 and IIoT initiatives

Notable features:

• Comprehensive, harmonized TSN configuration for industrial automation
• Standardized YANG data models supporting IT/OT convergence
• Requirements covering security, network management, and diagnostics

Key highlights:

• Deterministic networking critical for advanced manufacturing
• Read-only and actioned YANG modules enable integrative, programmable networks
• Essential for industries adopting predictive maintenance, robotics, and smart manufacturing

Access the full standard:View IEC/IEEE 60802:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Business Impact of Measurement and Control Standards

The standards covered in this overview are at the heart of modern industrial automation. Complying with them delivers real operational and commercial benefits:

• Increased Productivity: Standards-driven design streamlines development, procurement, testing, and commissioning, accelerating deployment of new measurement and control systems.
• Operational Consistency: Rigorous procedures ensure repeatability and accuracy, minimizing process variability and optimizing resource utilization.
• Enhanced Security and Safety: Defined protocols (like those in IEC/IEEE 60802:2026) provide the foundation for secure networks and safe operation—including in hazardous or highly regulated environments.
• Scalability for the Future: As plants expand or modernize, standards-centered integration makes it far easier to add, reconfigure, or upgrade devices and systems.
• Regulatory Compliance: Uniform documentation, traceability, and periodic validation facilitate audit readiness, reducing legal risks and penalties.
• Interoperability: Cross-vendor compatibility becomes feasible, breaking down silos and enabling best-in-breed system architectures across the enterprise.

Risks of Non-Compliance

• Increased risk of critical process failures or data errors
• Unreliable supplier comparisons and procurement pitfalls
• Higher costs and time burdens during audits and upgrades
• Fragmented, fragile network infrastructure unfit for automation

Implementation Guidance

Approaches for Adopting Process Measurement and Control Standards

Implementing these standards requires a structured, strategic approach, yet best practices make compliance more accessible:

1. Establish Baseline Processes:
   • Map current process measurement and control assets and identify compliance gaps.
2. Select Qualified Devices:
   • Choose equipment and partners that align with the latest editions of the relevant IEC/IEEE standards.
3. Invest in Training:
   • Educate engineering, QA, and operations staff on new protocols, documentation, and testing requirements.
4. Integrate Testing:
   • Ensure test laboratories and on-site acceptance tests follow agreed reference conditions and reporting formats.
5. Document Everything:
   • Maintain digital records for calibration, test results, non-conformities, and validation activities.
6. Leverage Automation:
   • Use networked sensors, remote procedure calls, and digital interface models—especially those standardized in IEC/IEEE 60802:2026—for rapid troubleshooting and integration.
7. Monitor and Reassess:
   • Regularly audit system performance against standards benchmarks and adapt as technologies evolve.

Resources

• iTeh Standards provides robust search and purchasing tools for up-to-date standards access.
• Engage with professional organizations and accredited test labs skilled in IEC and IEEE process standards.
• Utilize manufacturer technical documentation aligned with the latest reference editions.

Conclusion / Next Steps

The move toward digitized, interconnected manufacturing cannot succeed without a solid standards foundation. IEC 61298-1:2026, IEC 62828-1:2026, IEC 62828-2:2026, and IEC/IEEE 60802:2026 empower organizations to build safer, more productive, and scalable industrial operations—preparing them for technological advances yet to come. From the testing of a single transmitter to the digital orchestration of an entire factory, these standards are essential for future-proofing your business.

Key takeaways:

• Adhering to international measurement and networking standards is a catalyst for innovation and security
• Standards streamline performance, reduce risk, and enable seamless growth
• Early adoption positions companies for success as industry paradigms shift

Recommended actions:

• Audit your current systems for compliance against these standards
• Download or purchase the latest standards from iTeh Standards
• Stay engaged with new releases, updates, and technical guidance as standards evolve

Ensure your organization is not just keeping up, but leading the way in industrial process measurement and control.