EN IEC 62541-5:2026
(Main)OPC unified architecture - Part 5: Information Model
General Information
- Abstract
IEC 62541-5:2026 This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) Annex B has been removed and used to create IEC 62451-16; b) Annex C has been removed and used to create IEC 62451-20; c) currency information model has been added; d) information model for Interfaces and AddIns has been added; e) information model for Method Metadata has been added; f) MaxSessions, MaxSubscriptions, and MaxMonitoredItems have been added to capabilities; g) information model for ordered list of objects has been added; h) PortableQualifiedName and PortableNodeId DataTypes have been added; i) UriString DataType has been added; j) SemanticVersionString DataType has been added; k) AssociatedWith Reference Type has been added; l) ConfigurationVersion Property has been added to NamespaceMetadataType; m) AuditClientEventType and AuditClientUpdateMethodResultEventType have been added; n) ModelVersion has been added to NamespaceMetadataType; o) NoTransparentBackupRedundancyType has been added to support a Primary/Standby use case; p) BitFieldType and BitFieldDefinitionType have been added. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2020. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 19-Feb-2026
- Technical Committee
- CLC/TC 65X - Industrial-process measurement, control and automation
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
- Start Date
- 20-Feb-2026
- Due Date
- 14-Jun-2024
- Completion Date
- 20-Feb-2026
Overview
EN IEC 62541-5:2026 - OPC Unified Architecture, Part 5: Information Model is an internationally recognized standard developed by CLC and IEC, providing a structured framework for the OPC UA Information Model. This fourth edition represents a comprehensive technical revision, supporting modern industrial connectivity, information exchange, and interoperability in automation environments.
OPC Unified Architecture (UA) is foundational for digital transformation, standardizing the way disparate industrial systems describe, organize, and interact with information. Part 5 of OPC UA specifically defines and organizes object types, variable types, reference types, event types, data types, and the overall structure for modeling industrial information in a vendor-neutral, platform-independent way.
Key Topics
EN IEC 62541-5:2026 introduces significant technical changes, increasing flexibility, extensibility, and standardization across the OPC UA ecosystem:
- Removal and Re-location of Annexes: Annex B and C were removed to form new dedicated parts of the OPC UA family (IEC 62451-16 and IEC 62451-20).
- Enhanced Information Models:
- New model for currency information
- Models for Interfaces and AddIns added
- Method Metadata incorporated for enhanced semantic representation
- Ordered list object model introduced for precise sequencing
- Expanded Capabilities: The Capabilities information include MaxSessions, MaxSubscriptions, and MaxMonitoredItems.
- Additional Data Types:
- PortableQualifiedName, PortableNodeId, and UriString for improved portability and referencing
- SemanticVersionString for version tracking
- BitFieldType and BitFieldDefinitionType for efficient bitwise data representation
- Reference and Redundancy Types:
- New AssociatedWith Reference Type
- NoTransparentBackupRedundancyType for standby/primary redundancy use cases
- Audit and Namespace Features:
- Extended AuditClientEventType and AuditClientUpdateMethodResultEventType
- ConfigurationVersion and ModelVersion properties for enhanced namespace metadata
Applications
EN IEC 62541-5:2026 is essential for a wide range of industries and solutions leveraging OPC UA for secure, reliable, and interoperable data modeling. Key applications include:
- Industrial Automation: Structured modeling of machinery, devices, and process data for seamless integration and monitoring.
- Process Control and Measurement: Standardized model enables accurate mapping, visualization, and management of complex process information.
- Enterprise IT Integration: Supports IT/OT convergence by providing a common, extensible model for both automation and business systems.
- Asset and Maintenance Management: Enhanced information models allow tracking equipment states, versioning, and diagnostic data.
- IoT & Digitalization Initiatives: Enables digital twins, predictive maintenance, and big data analytics by structuring and linking contextual information across systems.
Related Standards
EN IEC 62541-5:2026 is part of a broader OPC UA standards ecosystem. For comprehensive implementation, consider these closely related standards:
- EN IEC 62541-1: Overview and Concepts
- EN IEC 62541-3: Address Space Model
- EN IEC 62541-4: Services
- EN IEC 62541-6: Mappings
- EN IEC 62541-7: Profiles
- EN IEC 62541-8: Data Access
- EN IEC 62541-9: Alarms and Conditions
- EN IEC 62541-18: Role-Based Security
- EN IEC 62541-20: File Transfer
Implementing EN IEC 62541-5:2026 enables robust OPC UA information modeling, ensuring connectivity and interoperability in Industry 4.0 applications, digital factories, and smart manufacturing environments.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 31-Jan-2023
- Effective Date
- 20-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 10-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 10-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 03-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 19-May-2026
- Effective Date
- 20-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 20-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 20-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 20-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 20-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 20-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 20-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 20-Feb-2026
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
BSI Group
BSI (British Standards Institution) is the business standards company that helps organizations make excellence a habit.
National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP)
Global cooperative program for special process quality in aerospace.
CARES (UK Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels)
UK certification for reinforcing steels and construction.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
EN IEC 62541-5:2026 is a standard published by CLC. Its full title is "OPC unified architecture - Part 5: Information Model". This standard covers: IEC 62541-5:2026 This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) Annex B has been removed and used to create IEC 62451-16; b) Annex C has been removed and used to create IEC 62451-20; c) currency information model has been added; d) information model for Interfaces and AddIns has been added; e) information model for Method Metadata has been added; f) MaxSessions, MaxSubscriptions, and MaxMonitoredItems have been added to capabilities; g) information model for ordered list of objects has been added; h) PortableQualifiedName and PortableNodeId DataTypes have been added; i) UriString DataType has been added; j) SemanticVersionString DataType has been added; k) AssociatedWith Reference Type has been added; l) ConfigurationVersion Property has been added to NamespaceMetadataType; m) AuditClientEventType and AuditClientUpdateMethodResultEventType have been added; n) ModelVersion has been added to NamespaceMetadataType; o) NoTransparentBackupRedundancyType has been added to support a Primary/Standby use case; p) BitFieldType and BitFieldDefinitionType have been added. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2020. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
IEC 62541-5:2026 This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition: a) Annex B has been removed and used to create IEC 62451-16; b) Annex C has been removed and used to create IEC 62451-20; c) currency information model has been added; d) information model for Interfaces and AddIns has been added; e) information model for Method Metadata has been added; f) MaxSessions, MaxSubscriptions, and MaxMonitoredItems have been added to capabilities; g) information model for ordered list of objects has been added; h) PortableQualifiedName and PortableNodeId DataTypes have been added; i) UriString DataType has been added; j) SemanticVersionString DataType has been added; k) AssociatedWith Reference Type has been added; l) ConfigurationVersion Property has been added to NamespaceMetadataType; m) AuditClientEventType and AuditClientUpdateMethodResultEventType have been added; n) ModelVersion has been added to NamespaceMetadataType; o) NoTransparentBackupRedundancyType has been added to support a Primary/Standby use case; p) BitFieldType and BitFieldDefinitionType have been added. This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2020. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
EN IEC 62541-5:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 25.040.40 - Industrial process measurement and control; 35.100.05 - Multilayer applications. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN IEC 62541-5:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN IEC 62541-5:2020, EN IEC 62541-3:2026, EN IEC 62541-1:2026, EN IEC 62541-18:2025, EN IEC 62541-4:2026, EN IEC 62541-20:2026, EN IEC 62541-9:2026, EN IEC 62541-7:2020, EN 62541-4:2011, EN IEC 62541-11:2026, EN IEC 62541-14:2020, EN IEC 62769-5:2021, EN IEC 62541-16:2026, EN IEC 62769-1:2021, EN IEC 62541-3:2020. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN IEC 62541-5:2026 is associated with the following European legislation: Standardization Mandates: M/490. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN IEC 62541-5:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.