PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) continues to consistently develop PROFIsafe as the leading technology for functionally safe communication. The updated PROFIsafe specification, the now-available test infrastructure, and new and revised application profiles form a comprehensive package for specification, implementation, testing, and certification. In doing so, PI strengthens the foundation for safe, flexible, and productive machines and systems in manufacturing and process automation.
Clear Foundation and Comprehensive Test Infrastructure
The PROFIsafe specification, published in June, clarifies key technical points: the PROFINET mechanisms for BaseID and parameterization, permissible values and data types, CRC calculations, and response times. The clarification version has already been successfully evaluated by TÜV.
BaseID enables, in particular, larger networks as well as modular and flexible systems. Additional PROFIsafe components can thus be integrated into complex structures in a uniquely identifiable manner - an important prerequisite for scalable machine and system concepts.
The new PROFIsafe TestBundle, the layer tester, and the associated laboratory documents are also available to ensure effective quality assurance. Manufacturers and PI test laboratories can use these tools to verify implementations in a reproducible manner and certify products according to proven PI procedures. This ensures continued consistency from the specification through to independent testing.
Safety for Drives and Process Automation
Safe drive communication is also continuously being improved. In June 2026, a new version of the “PROFIdrive on PROFIsafe Amendment” was released. The interoperable interface supports safe drive functions across different manufacturers. Modern safety concepts not only protect people but also improve the interaction between machines and operators—and thus enhance availability and productivity.
With the now-available integration of IO-Link Safety and the first products on the market, PI is taking a leading role in the end-to-end implementation of functional safety all the way down to the sensor and actuator level.
The next step is the broader adoption of PROFIsafe in process automation. Following “PROFINET over APL” and PA Profile 4, the requirements for functionally safe communication of process field devices will be incorporated into the “Profile for Process Control Devices.” PI has closely coordinated the current draft with the NAMUR working group on “Digital Process Communication.” The focus is on ease of use. PROFIsafe field devices should be able to operate in either safety or standard mode. As a result, operators will need fewer device variants and can flexibly use the same devices during a later reassessment of a measurement loop or in multipurpose plants. The corresponding PA Profile 4.10 is scheduled to enter the PI review process in 2026. The first implementations in test devices are scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.
“PROFIsafe is the leading and recognized safety communication technology. We uphold this claim by continuously refining the fundamental mechanisms while simultaneously opening up new applications,” explains Xaver Schmidt, Chairman of PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI). “With the updated specification, the comprehensive test infrastructure, and the extension for process automation, we are creating a reliable foundation for safe and future-proof machines and systems.”
These innovations demonstrate that only robust safety mechanisms, clear application profiles, and consistent quality assurance can create a secure foundation for digitalization, flexible production concepts, and data-driven applications. PI combines these component into a comprehensive PROFIsafe ecosystem for factory and process automation.