Unlocking Productivity: Key Standards for Industrial Process Measurement and Control

Industrial process measurement and control are at the heart of modern manufacturing—ensuring efficiency, accuracy, safety, and the ability to scale. As industries embrace Industry 4.0, digitized workflows, and enhanced risk management, the implementation of international standards has become not just a regulatory requirement but a competitive necessity. This article explores four pivotal standards shaping best practices and innovation in industrial process measurement and control. Whether you’re an engineer, manager, or simply interested in manufacturing processes, understanding these standards is key to maximizing productivity, guaranteeing safety, and supporting business growth.

Overview / Introduction

The manufacturing industry is undergoing rapid transformation with increasing automation, digital data integration, and elevated safety and quality expectations. Industrial process measurement and control rely on a network of sensors, transmitters, actuators, control systems, and seamless data flow. As these elements become more sophisticated—interfacing across physical and digital domains—standards provide the common language and framework that ensure reliability, interoperability, and trust.

In this article, you’ll:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of four influential international standards that underpin industrial process measurement and control.
• Learn how these standards address practical challenges in equipment performance, system integration, and data management across manufacturing and process industries.
• Discover the tangible business benefits of implementing standard-compliant solutions—from increased productivity and security to future-proof scalability.

Let’s delve into the details of these essential standards, how they work, and why your organization should care.

Detailed Standards Coverage

IEC 61298-3:2026 – Evaluating Performance under Influence Quantities

Process measurement and control devices – General methods and procedures for evaluating performance - Part 3: Tests for the effects of influence quantities

What it covers:

IEC 61298-3:2026 delivers unified procedures for evaluating the performance of process measurement and control devices, focusing specifically on how “influence quantities”—such as temperature, humidity, vibration, mechanical shocks, and power fluctuations—affect device accuracy and reliability. Excluding process measurement transmitters (now covered by the IEC 62828 series), this standard applies to a wide array of analogue and digital process instrumentation, offering a flexible but rigorous testing strategy.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Defines influence quantities as environmental or system conditions that could alter device performance.
• Outlines standardized test procedures for factors like temperature swings, humidity changes, mounting positions, supply voltage variations, electromagnetic disturbances, and fluid process parameters.
• Tests measure deviations in functional and performance characteristics compared to reference conditions, ensuring that devices are robust for real-world conditions.
• Testing scope now excludes process measurement transmitters and provides references to relevant standards for EMC and electrical safety.

Who needs to comply:

• Manufacturers of process measurement and control devices (excluding process transmitters)
• Facilities and operations managers seeking validated equipment
• Testing and certification bodies evaluating instrument reliability

Practical implications: Implementing IEC 61298-3 means that buyers, users, and inspectors can be confident in the environmental and operational robustness of their measurement and control systems. This fosters trust in equipment accuracy—critical for quality, safety, and legal compliance in sectors like chemicals, energy, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.

Notable features:

• Comprehensive scope for varied environmental influences
• Updated to align with the latest testing methodologies
• Exclusion of process measurement transmitters ensures tighter focus and clarity

Key highlights:

• Focuses on real-world performance, not just ideal conditions
• Provides repeatable benchmarks for qualifying new equipment
• Enhances industry confidence in device reliability

Access the full standard:View IEC 61298-3:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 61514:2026 – Evaluating Valve Positioners with Pneumatic Outputs

Industrial-process control systems – Methods of evaluating the performance of valve positioners with pneumatic outputs

What it covers:

IEC 61514:2026 provides detailed testing protocols for industrial valve positioners with pneumatic outputs, which are key actuators within automated process control systems. This standard addresses both static and dynamic performance of single-acting and double-acting analogue positioners, ensuring consistent operation within defined input and output specifications.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Applies to positioners receiving standard analogue input signals with pneumatic output, excluding digital or pulsed input/output devices.
• Details how to test positioners alone or in combination with actuators, as per manufacturer and user needs.
• Covers testing under a range of environmental and operational conditions: temperature, humidity, mounting, shocks, vibrations, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, supply pressure, and air consumption.
• Describes accuracy measures: gain, hysteresis, linearity, repeatability, and pressure/flow dynamics.
• Specifies test reporting formats and manufacturer/investigator collaboration for valid interpretation.

Who needs to comply:

• Valve and actuator manufacturers
• Facilities implementing automated process controls (chemical, petrochemical, water treatment, power, etc.)
• Industrial engineers overseeing control system performance

Practical implications: By adhering to IEC 61514, organizations improve reliability, reduce maintenance, and optimize process outcomes where precision control is vital—helping to avoid costly downtime and process deviations. The measurements ensure each actuator/valve responds as designed even when subjected to practical plant disturbances.

Notable features:

• Flexible testing, allowing full or partial protocols
• Harmonized performance metrics for comparability between devices/vendors
• New technical updates for magnetic field testing and improved documentation

Key highlights:

• Enables precise performance validation before and after installation
• Accommodates both laboratory and in-field testing
• Strengthens plant safety, efficiency, and regulatory adherence

Access the full standard:View IEC 61514:2026 on iTeh Standards

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

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

What it covers:

IEC 62828-1:2026 lays out the foundational methodology for evaluating the performance of all types of process measurement transmitters (PMTs), the core devices converting process variables (such as pressure, temperature, level, or flow) into standardized output signals for automation and monitoring.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Establishes general reference conditions for accurate testing—covering environment, power supply, load, installation, and process media.
• Classifies transmitters as either analogue (current/voltage output) or digital (including hybrid types), with tailored requirements for each.
• Guides on preliminary testing, calibration, dynamic and static response checks, and measuring influence of environmental factors.
• Sets out reporting formats, documentation, and traceability, connecting with detailed protocols in other parts of the IEC 62828 series (specific to various types such as pressure or flow transmitters).

Who needs to comply:

• Manufacturers and quality departments producing or certifying measurement transmitters
• Third-party calibration and testing laboratories
• Large facilities integrating advanced control and monitoring, including chemical, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and food sectors

Practical implications: Adopting IEC 62828-1 supports both interoperability (devices from various vendors communicate consistently) and lifecycle accuracy, reducing process deviation and supporting both regulatory and business assurance.

Notable features:

• Anchors all device evaluations in a harmonized framework, boosting cross-border procurement and operation
• Includes updated technical content—such as new guidance on signal current ranges and accuracy definitions
• Excludes simple sensing devices covered by other IEC standards, keeping focus clear

Key highlights:

• Streamlines and harmonizes device qualification and procurement
• Supports digital transformation and smart manufacturing initiatives
• Boosts process transparency, quality, and productivity

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

ISO 15926-100:2026 – Vocabulary for Life-Cycle Data Integration in Process Plants

Industrial automation systems and integration — Integration of life-cycle data for process plants including oil and gas production facilities — Part 100: Vocabulary

What it covers:

ISO 15926-100:2026 is pivotal for organizations moving toward fully digital, integrated process plant management. This standard harmonizes vocabulary used throughout the ISO 15926 series, which addresses data integration and management across the entire lifecycle of process installations—including oil and gas, chemicals, water treatment, and power plants.

Key requirements and specifications:

• Defines a taxonomy of core terms relating to process automation, data modeling, lifecycle management, entities, materials, activities, states, capabilities, and process services.
• Provides the essential language for implementing data models, information exchange processes, and integration of engineering and operational data across business partners and IT systems.
• Scope excludes reference data items (in ISO/TS 15926-4) and data model entities (in ISO 15926-2), focusing instead on the shared vocabulary needed for seamless collaboration.

Who needs to comply:

• Digital transformation leads, data managers, and IT architects integrating lifecycle data
• Process plant owners and EPCs (engineering, procurement, construction organizations)
• Software vendors building or supporting industrial data platforms

Practical implications: Using ISO 15926-100 vocabulary reduces costly misunderstandings, accelerates integration projects, and lays the foundation for enterprise-wide or even industry-wide interoperability—increasing productivity and simplifying audits, compliance, and upgrades.

Notable features:

• Covers terms relevant to both conceptual data modeling and practical, real-world integration
• Aligns with latest best practices on information management, digital modeling, and life-cycle engineering
• Supports structured data handover between engineering, operations, and regulatory bodies

Key highlights:

• Promotes a common language for digital collaboration
• Reduces integration risk on large, complex projects
• Underpins future-proof, scalable plant data management

Access the full standard:View ISO 15926-100:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Why are industrial process measurement and control standards essential for today’s businesses?

1. Productivity: Standards like IEC 61298-3, IEC 61514, and IEC 62828-1 empower organizations to implement reliable, accurate measurement and control systems. This minimizes downtime, reduces waste, speeds up commissioning, and optimizes continuous process improvements.

2. Security and Safety: These standards embed safety into equipment and system life cycles, proactively addressing known risks. Reliable device performance and validated integration are crucial for avoiding accidents and maintaining compliance with legal or insurance requirements.

3. Scalability: Standardized approaches support modular system expansion and upgrades. As operations grow or evolve, processes and data models built on international standards adapt seamlessly without costly re-engineering.

4. Interoperability: Consistent testing, documentation, and vocabulary enable manufacturers, vendors, and clients to work together without friction. This is especially important in global projects with distributed supply chains.

5. Compliance Risk: Non-compliance can result in regulatory penalties, lost contracts, insurance disputes, or even plant shutdowns. Adherence to these standards establishes documentation and process trails safeguarding organizations.

Implementation Guidance

How can organizations successfully adopt these industrial process measurement and control standards?

• Gap Analysis: Assess current procedures, devices, and documentation against standard requirements—identifying areas for upgrade or retraining.
• Procurement Policies: Mandate the use of compliant equipment and solutions in new purchases and replacements.
• Vendor Engagement: Collaborate closely with instrument and automation suppliers, specifying adherence to these standards within contracts.
• Training and Awareness: Invest in staff training to ensure that both technical and operational teams understand the standards’ requirements and their rationale.
• Documentation and Testing: Maintain test results, calibration records, and certificates aligned to standard formats. Use these to streamline audits and simplify root cause investigations.
• Continuous Improvement: Review new editions and updates periodically; subscribe to alerting services (such as through iTeh Standards) to stay current.

Best practices:

• Integrate standards early on in project scoping and design phases
• Use checklists and templates provided within the standards for consistency
• Develop internal audit routines mirroring external certification expectations
• Foster a culture of quality and safety by embedding standards in operational thinking
• Leverage iTeh Standards’ digital access for instant updates and shared documentation

Conclusion / Next Steps

High-quality industrial process measurement and control underpins not just operational success but the very competitiveness, safety, and growth potential of modern manufacturers. By adopting current international standards—including IEC 61298-3:2026, IEC 61514:2026, IEC 62828-1:2026, and ISO 15926-100:2026—organizations earn more than compliance: they foster a culture of excellence, streamline complex integration, scale with confidence, and future-proof their entire operational ecosystems.

Key takeaways:

• Standards are critical enablers of productivity, safety, and scalable growth in today’s digital manufacturing era.
• These four standards cover device testing, actuator validation, transmitter evaluation, and lifecycle data integration, making them essential reference points.
• Implementation of these standards supports robust auditing, smooth cross-organizational integration, and resilience in changing competitive landscapes.

Next steps:

1. Explore the in-depth content of these standards on iTeh Standards for specific application requirements.
2. Consult with your technical teams and vendors about the current status and next actions for compliance and training.
3. Stay updated on new editions and supplement documents to remain ahead in quality, innovation, and compliance.

Learn more or access the full texts:Visit iTeh Standards to explore the standards