ISO recognises the technology and ease of use of the open field-level network, which facilitates software applications utilising CC-Link networking to dramatically improve production efficiency.

The first international standard that CC-Link attained was SEMI E54.12 (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International). Now CC-Link has also been approved by ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation). CC-Link was already a de-facto standard in Japan and in recent years has expanded rapidly in Asia and North America.

CC-Link has progressed from a Japanese de-facto standard to a global standard with the approval of International Standard, ISO 15745-5.

ISO approval of CC-Link technology supports the market requirements for network openness and adherence to industry standards.

This results in the increasing acceptance of CC-Link by manufacturers, system developers and users not only in Japan and Asia but also around the world.

There are two prominent types of international standards for factory automation networks.

One is the standard specifying network protocol (procedure and format for data communication between the devices).

The other type of standard addresses the communication specifications of equipment connected to factory automation networks and involves data such as manufacturer name, number of points to be supported, compatible network version number, etc ISO 15745, for which CC-Link has been approved, corresponds to the latter standard type.

This international standard recognises the high-level technology and ease of use of the CC-Link open field-level network.

It facilitates software applications utilising CC-Link networking to dramatically improve production efficiency.

CC-Link open technology, the wide variety of compatible products, and the ease of application integration makes it efficient and convenient for system designers and users across the globe to use CC-Link in factory automation (FA), process automation (PA and building automation (BA systems.

The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) made the proposal to ISO for inclusion of CC-Link into the 15745 standard and Malcolm Robins, European general manager, stated 'It is five years since CC-Link was introduced as the first open field network originating in Japan and achievement of ISO standardisation is a significant step forward in expanding CC-Link technology for users and CLPA vendors around the world.'