MRCDs allow users to swiftly identify PI technologies products lacking a valid PI certificate.
 

In June 2026, the first version (V1.0) of the specification for machine readable device certificates (Order No. 2.77.2) was published. PI is not only working to automate the processing of certification applications; in the future, machine-readable certificates will also be available for PROFINET devices. These are created by the certification office and embedded in the GSDX container of the tested GSD file.
 

The document “Machine Readable Conformance Declaration” (MRCD) contains the definition of the file format for the machine-readable conformance declaration. It describes the tested and certified functions of a device and makes them available to engineering systems for validity verification.
 

This will enable certification information to be evaluated in the future in a machine-readable format and automatically by engineering systems.
 

An MRCD contains the declaration of conformity for a PROFINET device represented by a DAP, as well as multiple declarations of conformity for profiles, provided they are supported by that PROFINET device.
 

The MRCD specification is available for members to download here:

https://www.profibus.com/download/mrcd-specification-machine-readable-conformance-declaration

The free PI Student Membership provides students and technical school students with up to five years of access to technical expertise, events, and an international network centered on PROFINET, PROFIBUS, IO-Link, MTP, NOA, omlox, and SRCI.

The membership now includes two new benefits:
 

Free access to conference and webinar recordings
The PI Info Hub provides free access to webinar recordings, technical talks, and expert presentations on PI technologies at any time, with some available in up to nine languages. PI student members also receive exclusive access to PI Conference recordings. The PI Info Hub brings together practical learning materials, as well as recordings of webinars, conferences, and industry events.
 

Free Access to the PROFINET Community Stack
After signing the relevant license agreement, PI student members can download the PROFINET Community Stack free of charge. This includes PROFINET controller and device functionality, as well as clearly defined interfaces for adapting to different hardware, operating systems, and IP stack environments.
Registration with a college or university email address is required.

Please share this offer with your colleagues and feel free to share it with your friends and acquaintances as well! Let students, working students, and your university contacts know about the free PI student membership. Thank you very much for your support to attract young talents for the PI community!
 

For more information and to register: PI Student Membership.

Companies that want to exhibit at relevant industry trade shows, such as Hannover Messe and SPS, do not need to plan their own booth. With the company kiosk, member companies have access to their own presentation space at the PI joint booth. This option requires significantly less organizational effort while providing full brand recognition.
 

The key benefits are:

•  Your own presentation space included: - A customizable display panel (120 x 75 cm), mounted at an angle on a pedestal. It features a pull-out shelf for a laptop and keyboard, a lockable storage compartment, and brochure holders for materials up to DIN A4 size.
   
• There's no need to build your own booth. We handle setup, takedown, logistics, and insurance. To save yourself the hassle of printing and shipping, you can opt to book graphic printing, lamination, and shipping of the display panel through us. All we need is the print file.
   
• Visibility for All Trade Show Visitors: Your company name will be listed in the exhibitor directory.
  
  
• Visibility within the PI community: As part of the PI joint booth, you will benefit from being located near the PI technology presentations and from the high foot traffic at the entire booth. Visitors interested in PI technologies, such as PROFIBUS, PROFINET, PROFIsafe, PROFIdrive, IO-Link, MTP, and omlox, as well as other PI technologies, will find you in the immediate vicinity.
   
• The presentation can be flexibly expanded. You have the option of adding a rental monitor (19", 24", or 42"). Delivery, setup, and replacement in case of failure are included. This allows you to display digital content without having to bring your own equipment.
   
• Hospitality is included: Focus on your appointments while our hosts and hostesses treat your trade visitors to drinks and light snacks at the booth.

You can also take advantage of the product display options (device booking) as usual. We would be delighted if you would also volunteer as booth staff as part of the working group's activities. The booth thrives on your support, and new volunteers are very welcome!
 

For more information on participation options, please visit https://www.profibus.de/marketingprogramm/messen/beteiligungsoptionen#Einzelpraesentation. 

We cordially invite you to our 2026 PROFIsafe webinars! We offer webinars for various levels of expertise, as well as a free refresher webinar. Whether you’re new to safe communication with PROFIsafe or want to expand your knowledge, you’ll find the right training course for you.
 

Our webinars at a glance:
 

PROFIsafe Designer Workshop – Basic: October 7–8, €525
The Basic Workshop is designed for developers and managers who want to implement PROFIsafe in their devices and are looking for an introductory overview of functional safety and safe communication with PROFIsafe.

Registration: https://www.profibus.com/trainingevents/profisafe-designer-workshop-basic 
 

PROFIsafe Designer Workshop – Advanced: October 21–22, €525
The Advanced Training is designed for participants with prior knowledge of functional safety and safe communication protocols, such as PROFIsafe. This includes those who have completed the Basic Workshop, as well as users who have already implemented PROFIsafe. During the session, we will specifically address your individual questions.

Registration: https://www.profibus.com/profisafe-designer-workshop-advanced

PROFIsafe Refresher Webinar - November 12, free of charge:
This webinar is ideal for anyone who wants to refresh their knowledge and learn about the latest developments related to PROFIsafe.

Registration: https://www.profibus.com/trainingevents/profisafe-refresher-webinar-2026 

Participants who complete both parts of the Designer Workshop will receive an official certificate of completion for the PROFIsafe Designer Course.

Take this opportunity to expand or refresh your PROFIsafe expertise.
 

We look forward to your participation!

In 2026, PI will once again be represented with a joint booth at the SPS (Smart Production Solutions) trade show in Nuremberg. From November 24 to 26, we will be presenting the latest developments in PROFINET, IO-Link, MTP, and all other PI technologies in Hall 5, Booth 210. The focus will be on Security across all PI technologies, SPE and APL in connection with PROFINET, and Vertical Integration.
 

The PI joint booth provides an attractive platform for all PI member companies (members of any RPA) to showcase their products, solutions, and expertise to an international audience of industry professionals, all while enjoying the high visibility of the PI presence. There are suitable options available to meet a wide range of needs, whether through device demonstrations at various demo stations, company presentations using a company kiosk, a marketing materials display, or many other forms of participation.
 

Take this opportunity to showcase your company alongside the PI community at one of the world’s most important automation trade shows and demonstrate the innovative power of our technologies to visitors. We look forward to welcoming back numerous member companies to the PI joint booth in 2026.
 

Further information on participation options and the registration documents can be found here: Participation Options SPS 2026.
 

The registration deadline is September 26, 2026.

For ACHEMA 2027, the PNO is developing an entirely new live demonstration with the theme “PROFINET — All in One for Process Automation” — the “Swiss Army Knife” of process automation.
 

Instead of focusing on individual functions, the demonstration will showcase PROFINET’s capabilities as an end-to-end communication platform for process automation. At its core is a homogeneous network in which all components communicate with one another without gaps or intermediate gateways. PROFINET is the process automation standard, and leading process automation manufacturers are joining forces to demonstrate this open standard's capabilities.

The consistent, end-to-end use of PROFINET, or the "Revolution in Process Automation," opens up new possibilities in terms of flexibility, availability, diagnostics, asset management, safety, and future digitalization and IIoT applications.

Starting at ACHEMA 2027, companies will have the opportunity to actively participate in the live demo wall with devices, components, or systems and present their solutions as part of this forward-looking overall concept. Control system manufacturers can participate by booking a company kiosk for the respective trade show. From there, devices on the wall will be controlled.
 

As before, the demo will run for three years and will include ACHEMA 2027, SPS 2027, HMI & SPS 2028, HMI & SPS 2029, and HMI 2030.
 

Participation costs (for devices) are expected to differ from previous demos and will be published shortly in a circular. Connection via company kiosks will incur a charge based on the kiosk price for the respective trade show, which will be communicated through the marketing program.
 

To secure your spot in this important demo and learn more, please email dh(at)profibus(dot)com.

The four participating Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), FieldComm Group, ODVA, OPC Foundation, and PROFIBUS & PROFINET International, have agreed to continue and extend their cooperation on selected industrial security topics.

This next phase builds on the successful publication of the technical paper “Secure Deployment of Industrial Communication Protocols” and aims to further support harmonized, interoperable, and practical security approaches across industrial communication ecosystems.

We are looking for specialists from system manufacturers, infrastructure providers, device manufacturers, and other relevant member companies who are willing to actively contribute.
 

You will find this Call-for-Experts here and more information in the PDF:
 

https://www.profibus.com/download/call-for-experts-industrial-security-harmonization-group-ishg