Industrie 4.0: DIN and DKE close standardization gaps in the areas of interoperability, sovereignty and sustainability

Berlin/Frankfurt, 19.04.2023 Yesterday, the Standardization Council Industrie 4.0 (SCI 4.0), the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) and the German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (DKE) presented the fifth edition of the Standardization Roadmap Industrie 4.0 to an international audience at Hannover Messe 2023. In this context, the standardization roadmap was also handed over to Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection.The aim of the standardization roadmap is to facilitate the industry's transition to networked, digital ecosystems with the aid of interoperable, standardized machine-to-machine and human-to-machine communication. The standardization roadmap focuses on interoperability, sovereignty, and environmental and social sustainability. "The standardization roadmap enables all players to exchange data in networked digital ecosystems in an automated and error-free manner, regardless of industry, without becoming dependent on individual platform providers. It thus brings together previously separate areas of standardization," explains Prof. Dr. Dieter Wegener, Chairman of the SCI 4.0 Advisory Board and Vice President of DKE. Like the previous version, the new edition shows the current state of standardization, but also existing standardization gaps, which are addressed in recommendations for action. "The standardization roadmap thus serves as a guide for identifying the need for standardization in the transformation from conventional to digital ecosystems," Wegener said.

Management shell as central "integration plug" for digital ecosystems

The management shell is regarded as a manufacturer-independent and industry-neutral standard for the provision of information and for communication in a uniform language. In the standardization roadmap, DIN and DKE formulated and implemented important recommendations for action on the standardization of the management shell as a central "integration plug for digital ecosystems". Building on these recommendations, the experts worked out further models for increasing interoperability and developed initial submodels templates of the "assets" for industrial applications.

Digital product passport irreplaceable for transparency

In order to achieve the UN's sustainability goals, ecological and digital transformation is of strategic importance worldwide. An important element for this is the Digital Product Passport (DDP), which enables transparency regarding sustainable production along the value chain in the first place. "For the creation of the DDP, the methodology of a "DPP4.0" described in the Standardization Roadmap Industrie 4.0 serves as the basis. The necessary prerequisite for this is a DPP based on the management shell. A focused development of standards thus supports the implementation of these goals," adds Wegener. Standards are imperative for the international connectivity of the DPP and thus enable the success of the export-oriented German economy and the acceptance of its products on the world market.

The standardization roadmap "Industrie 4.0" is available for download free of charge in German and in English at www.din.de/go/normungsroadmap and www.dke.de/normungsroadmap-industrie-40.

About DIN 

DIN, the German Institute for Standardization, is the independent platform for standardization in Germany and worldwide. Together with industry, scientific institutions, public authorities and civil society as a whole, DIN plays a major role in identifying future areas for standardization. By helping to shape the green and digital transformation, DIN makes an important contribution towards solving current challenges and enables new technologies, products and processes to establish themselves on the market and in society. More than 37,500 experts from industry, research, consumer protection and the public sector bring their expertise to work on standardization projects managed by DIN. The results of these efforts are market-oriented standards and specifications that promote global trade, encouraging rationalization, quality assurance and environmental protection as well as improving security and communication. 

For more information, go to www.din.de 

About DKE

The DKE German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (DKE) is the national platform for about 10,000 experts from industry, science and public administration to elaborate standards and safety specifications for electrical engineering, electronics and information technology. Standards support global trade and, among other things, the safety, interoperability and functionality of products and systems. As a competence centre for electrotechnical standardization, the DKE represents the interests of German industry in European (CENELEC, ETSI) and international standardization organizations (IEC). In addition, the DKE provides comprehensive services in the field of standardization and VDE specifications. 

For more information, visit www.dke.de

About DKE 

The DKE German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (DKE) is the national platform for about 10,000 experts from industry, science and public administration to elaborate standards and safety specifications for electrical engineering, electronics and information technology. Standards support global trade and, among other things, the safety, interoperability and functionality of products and systems. As a competence centre for electrotechnical standardization, the DKE represents the interests of German industry in European (CENELEC, ETSI) and international standardization organizations (IEC). In addition, the DKE provides comprehensive services in the field of standardization and VDE specifications.

For more information, visit www.dke.de