May 6, 2026 — During the PLCopen Process Control Work Group kickoff meeting, members came to a consensus regarding a goal: harmonization between the PLCopen Process function block with MTP and OPC UA/OPC FX. PLCopen meetings and discussions at the ARC Advisory Group conference in Orlando in February generated useful discussions regarding the benefits of harmonizing OPC UA, MTP and O-PAS with the PLCopen function.
Overall, the PLCopen Process Industry Work Group's chief objective is to accelerate process control and automation efficiency by leveraging the IEC 61131 universally adopted world programming standard, along with other standards. Software Defined Automation starts at the industrial edge and PLCopen harmonization, with standards including OPC UA, MTP and O-PAS; the PLCopen functions provide architectural clarity.
The PLCopen Process Industry Working Group adds IEC 61131 process automation standard functions and certifications, enablling application engineers to efficiently deploy PLC, DCS and open platform controls in process industry applications. The cost of programming process automation and control systems continues to grow, but PLCopen standards and certifications help keep costs down. PLCopen standardization and modular methodology decrease training time and application development costs while reducing project cost overruns.
Want to join the group? PLCopen Process Industry Work Group participation is open to all PLCOpen members who are in good standing. Find more membership information on the website, and learn more about the fees here.
PLCopen Membership categories
PLCopen offers multi-level membership, ranging from suppliers to educational institutes.
- Companies: Commercial organizations active as producer in the field of industrial control. Annual Membership: € 3,200 to € 12,750
- Users: Focused to the application and usage of industrial control. Annual Membership: € 650 to € 6,350
- Re-sellers: added value is not in the industrial control, nor its programming environment. In many cases they use an independent software development environment from a third party, and have this integrated with their (hardware) products. Annual Membership: € 650 to € 6,350
- Non-profit organizations: Institutes registered as non-profit organizations. Annual Membership: € 1,000
- Educational institutes: Universities and technical schools. Annual Membership: € 50