CiA standard development process

Within the CiA organization the Interest Groups (IG), Special Interest Groups (SIG), and Task Forces (TF) develop and maintain the CiA specifications.

During the standard development process the CiA specifications run through various levels of approvement as shown in the overview.

Since January 2005, CiA provides draft standard specifications (DS) and draft recommendations (DR) on its web site for free download, however CANopen specifications with the status draft standard proposal (DSP), work draft (WD) or work draft proposals (WDP) are available for CiA members only. It is one of the CiA membership benefits, that member companies have the advantage to influence specifications within the technical groups and to get the adequate information before it is published.

Some of these CiA technical publications are also intended to be submitted for international standardizations in committees such as International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Standards stimulate technology, innovation, and creation. They provide information that is critical to design, production, and manufacturing. Having access to this information builds profit, increases efficiencies and keeps you ahead of the competition.

As CiA member you are invited to join all CiA technical groups and to participate actively in the standardization process (IG/SIG/TF membership rules).