At the end of December 2024, the IEC released IEC 63206:2024 Industrial-process control systems – Recorders – Testing and performance evaluation, an international standard led by China (specifically, ITEI). This standard specifies the characterization, classification (e.g., analog chart recorder, digital recorder, X-Y recorder, paperless recorder, event recorder, data logger, and data acquisition device, etc.), and performance evaluation methods of recorders. It is intended for use by manufacturers to determine the performance of their products and by users or independent testing bodies to verify manufacturers’ performance specifications.
Recorders are the “black boxes” of industrial process control, essential tools for ensuring accurate collection, monitoring, analysis, and optimization of production data. They provide critical support for improving efficiency and quality in industrial processes. IEC previously released two international standards related to chart recorders: IEC 60873-1:2003 and IEC 60873-2:2004. However, in recent years, traditional chart recorders have gradually been replaced by display screens in control systems and newer, digital, paperless products. With technological advancements, graphic recorders are less frequently used as standalone products and are increasingly integrated as functional modules in control systems. Independent recorders are now more commonly seen as itinerant detecting instruments, event recorders, or alarm devices. In 2017, ITEI proposed a new international standard to IEC/TC65/SC65B (Industrial Process Measurement and Control / Measuring and Control Equipment) and successfully launched IEC 63206 in June 2018 to replace the current IEC 60873-1:2003 and IEC 60873-2:2004.
Since China has already identically adopted IEC 60873-1:2003 and IEC 60873-2:2004 as national standards (GB/T3386.1-2007 and GB/T 3386.2-2007), there is a strong possibility that China will continue to adopt IEC 63206:2024 as an equivalent standard in the future. This will facilitate global technical coordination and contribute to smooth international trade.
Reference: https://www.samr.gov.cn/bzcxs/sjdt/gzdt/art/2025/art_e9c191671dc24b35a1f128048bb2f5bc.html
