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Measurement, Control and Automation Resources throughout the World
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Last changes to this page: 29/10/2024
Professional Bodies of interest to Instrument People
The list is devided into two alphabetical zones. At the top are groups concerned mostly with automation, instrumentation and control and the bottom list is for organisations of a more general interest.

  • The Applied Control Technology Consortium (ACTC) helps companies pursue a policy of understanding and appropriately applying control technologies.

  • The American Automatic Control Council (AACC) is an association of the control systems divisions of eight member societies in the USA.

  • The American Institute of Physics includes access to their publications.

  • ASM International for management of materials.

  • Association for Advancing Automation (A3) For nearly five decades, the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA-Advancing Vision + Imaging (AIA), and the Motion Control and Motors Association (MCMA), along with A3 Mexico, have played a key role in helping automation technologies become among the most critical tools of the 21st Century. Hey have converged and are now the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), one trade group for the entire automation ecosystem.

  • The Automatic Meter Reading Association - Advancing Utility Technology Internationally.

  • The Automation Federation - an umbrella organization under which associations and societies engaged in manufacturing and process automation activities can work more effectively to fulfill their missions.

  • The Automated Testing Institute (ATI) has a comprehensive online resource for obtaining, exchanging and certifying industry standard test automation knowledge, information, and techniques.

  • BACnet® International is an organization that encourages the successful use of BACnet® in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing educational programs, and promotional activities.

  • British Measurement and Testing Association - BMTA represents the interests of the measurement and testing industry in the UK and in Europe, through its representation on EUROLAB, the voice for laboratories in Europe.

  • Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) The BCIA is a single voice, representing a growing and dynamic building controls and BEMS sector in Britain. It has a number of key functions that support its members and the wider industry.

  • China Instrument and Control Society (CIS), based in Beijing.

  • The Coordinate Metrology Society (CMS) , Founded in 1984, is a large membership of users, service providers, and OEM manufacturers of close tolerance, industrial coordinate measurement technology.

  • Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), formerly known as the Zigbee Alliance, an organization of hundreds of companies creating, maintaining, and delivering open, global standards for the Internet of Things (IoT), today announced Matter Ð the interoperable, secure connectivity standard for the future of the smart home.

  • Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) is committed to the business development of control system integration companies and their implementation of best practices in order to provide a healthy, low-risk channel for the application of technology to our industrial clients.

  • Cyber Ireland - Cyber Ireland brings together Industry, Academia and Government to represent the needs of the Cyber Security Ecosystem in Ireland. They've recently established an Operational Technology Security (OT Sec) Special Interest Group (SEC) which will be a welcome interest to the Irish industry and process control.

  • The Eclipse Foundation fosters Eclipse an open platform for tool integration built by an open community of tool providers. Operating under a open source paradigm, with a common public license that provides royalty free source code and world wide redistribution rights, the eclipse platform provides tool developers with ultimate flexibility and control over their software technology.

  • The Ethernet Alliance is a global, non-profit, industry consortium of member organizations that are dedicated to the continued success and advancement of Ethernet technologies.

  • In 1990, a number of prominent members of the Systems and Control community from countries of the European Union decided to set up an organization, named The European Union Control Association (EUCA), the main purposes of which is to promote initiatives aiming at enhancing scientific exchanges, disseminating information, coordinating research networks and technology transfer in the field of Systems and Control within the Union.

  • GAMBICA - Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation - Group of Association of Manufacturers of British, Instruments, Control and Automation.

  • The Global Certification Forum (GCF) a non-profit, global membership driven organization offering mobile and IoT certification programs based on conformity to agreed standards. It provides assurance of device-network interoperability, reduction in testing costs and accelerated time-to-market .

  • The Industrial Automation Open Networking Alliance (IAONA) is for industrial automation leaders committed to the advancement of open networking from sensing devices to the boardroom via internet and Ethernet-based networks.

  • The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers the world's largest technical professional society. A non-profit organization, which promotes the development and application of electrotechnology and allied sciences for the benefit of humanity, the advancement of the profession, and the well-being of its members.
    They have a constituent Instrumentation and Measurement Society

  • International Federation of Robotics (IFR) The general purpose of the IFR is to promote research, development, use and international co-operation in the entire field of robotics, to act as a focal point for organizations and governmental representatives in activities related to robotics.

  • The Institute of Measurement and Control is a British based organisation but they do have some international branches in Ireland and Hong Kong for instance.

  • The Institute of Instrumentation and Control Australia is the Professional Body serving those involved in the field of Instrumentation and Control in Australia.asm

  • Institute of Measurement and Control of New Zealand Inc The national body dedicated to the promotion of the theory and practice of automatic control and instrumentation in science and industry.

  • The Instrumentation Testing Association (ITA) is dedicated solely to the testing and validation of wastewater monitoring instrumentation.

  • International Federation of Automatic Control was founded in September 1957, is a multinational federation of National Member Organizations (NMOs), each one representing the engineering and scientific societies concerned with automatic control in its own country.

  • International Frequency Sensor Association (IFSA) - The main aim of IFSA is to provide a forum for academicians, researchers and engineers from industry to present and discuss the latest research results, experiences and future trends in the area of design and application of different sensors with digital, frequency (period), time interval or duty-cycle output. Very fast advances in IC technologies brought new challenges in the physical design of integrated sensors and microsensors. This development is essential for developing measurement science and technology in the next Millennium.

  • The International Instrument Users' Association has been set up "for cooperative instrument evaluations by member-users and manufacturers."

  • IMEKO - International Measurement Confederation Forum for the Advancements in Measurement Science and Technology . See also IMEKO IIS (Internet Information Service).

    WIKAPEDIA has a nice compact explanation of ISA and what it is about.
    ISA-The International Society of Automation

  • ISA - The The International Society of Automation page, in constant development, is now an excellent resource. ISA was formed some 50 years ago and boasts around 30,000 members. Readout sponsors the Web Page for the ISA's District 12 (EMEA District) and has designed the Ireland Section page.

  • ISC2 is the worldÕs leading member association for cybersecurity professionals. Their premier cybersecurity certifications Ð including the renowned CISSP Ð enable professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities to employers. They also provide confidence to organizations and government agencies around the world that individuals earning our certifications have what it takes to secure their critical assets.

  • Find useful information about the Japanese electric measuring instruments market on the Jemima Site (Japan Electric Measuring Instrument Manufacturers' Association.)

  • Measurement, Control and Automation Association (MCAA) A US trade association founded in the mid-1940's, MCAA's members -- manufacturers, manufacturers' representatives, distributors, systems integrators, members of the trade press and industry consultants -- are the leading companies supplying hardware and software products and services associated with the measurement, control and automation of industrial processes.

  • MIMOSA - a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to developing and encouraging the adoption of open information standards in manufacturing, fleet, and facility environments Ð information standards which enable collaborative asset lifecycle management.

  • The Institute of Physics (IOP) gives some information on publications and has some interesting links.

  • The NLA-SA ( National Laboratory Association)is a non-profit stakeholder body that represents the voice of South African laboratories. Having over 300 organisations who are members representing the diverse nature of activities within testing and calibration services.

  • International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) - Enables economies to establish efficient, mutually compatible and internationally recognized legal metrology infrastructures in all areas for which governments are responsible, such as facilitating trade, establishing mutual confidence and harmonizing levels of consumer protection worldwide.

  • PXI Systems Alliance (PXISA) A group of more than 70 companies that share a common commitment to end-user success with open, multivendor CompactPCI systems for applications in test and measurement, industrial automation and data acquisition. The primary goal of the PXISA is to improve the effectiveness of CompactPCI-based solutions in measurement and automation through use of the PXI specification.

    The Open Process Automation™ Forum is focused on developing a standards-based, open, secure, interoperable process control architecture.

  • RISK-V Foundation RISC-V (pronounced Òrisk-fiveÓ) is a new instruction set architecture (ISA) that was originally designed to support computer architecture research and education and is now set to become a standard open architecture for industry implementations. The RISC-V Foundation, a non-profit corporation controlled by its members, directs the future development and drives the adoption of the RISC-V ISA. Members of the RISC-V Foundation have access to and participate in the development of the RISC-V ISA specifications and related HW / SW ecosystem. The RISC-V ISA was originally developed in the Computer Science Division of the EECS Department at the University of California, Berkeley.

  • The Society of Instrument and Control Engineers, abbreviated as SICE, was established in 1961 in Japan. It has been a leading academic society in the field of measurement- and control-related science and technology, which is a transdisciplinary field. Therefore, it is not restricted to traditional disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, or engineering. SICE covers the following areas: measurement, control, cognition, behavior, communication, information, and system sciences and technologies.

  • The SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, formed in 1955 as "The Society for Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers", serves over 11,000 professionals in the field throughout the world as does The Optical Society of America. The former is perhaps more applications and engineering oriented, the latter more in the field of research - although both areas overlap these days.
    Another site of interest to Optical Engineers is the >Laser Institute of America - the laser information and applications society

  • Universal Automation Org (UAO) - Members of UniversalAutomation.org have unique development power and access to the next generation of universal automation solutions, working collaboratively. UniversalAutomation.org acts as a centralized hub of automation intelligence.

  • VDMA - The mouthpiece of mechanical and plant engineering - in Germany and Europe.

  • Valve Manufacturers Association of America (VMA).

  • VDI/VDE-GMA Society for Measurement and Automatic Control in Germany.

  • WBF the former World Batch Forum offers a non-commercial venue for the dissemination of information Batch Engineers need.

  • Wireless Industrial Networking Alliance (WINA) - a coalition of industrial end-user companies, technology suppliers, industry organizations, software developers, system integrators, and others interested in the advancement of wireless solutions for industry.

  • The Water Industry Process Automation & Control Group (WIPAC) - A LinkedIn Discussion Group about the Automation and Control of the Water and Wastewater Industry.

  • The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers promotes the craft of scientific instrument making and the exchange of ideas and information by members and guests through meetings, visits, lectures and social events. It is a Livery company of the City of London.

Sites of more General Interest
  • 3D eXchange. - 3DX is a cooperative effort of industry veterans, terrific users, and business partners for those who create in 3D.
  • The 5G Automotive Association is a global, cross-industry organisation of companies from the automotive, technology, and telecommunications industries (ICT), working together to develop end-to-end solutions for future mobility and transportation services.
  • AFE - The Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) is a professional organization of 9,000 members, bringing together professionals who ensure the optimal operation of plants, grounds and offices at Fortune 500 manufacturers, universities, medical centers, government agencies and innovative small firms from around the world. And, they all look to AFE as the leading technical resource on engineering issues. Their St Louis Chapter has a very good website too.

  • The AMA - American Management Association is the world's leading membership-based management development organization. AMA offers a full range of business education and management development programs for individuals and organizations in Europe, the Americas and Asia. MCE - Management Centre Europe is the European headquarters

  • The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) a trade association representing more than 350 manufacturers of air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration equipment.

  • ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

  • American Chemistry Council (ACC) - The American Chemical Council's mission is to deliver business value through exceptional advocacy using best-in-class member performance, political engagement, communica-tions and scientific research.

  • American Water Works Association (AWWA) is an international nonprofit scientific and educational society dedicated to the improvement of drinking water quality and supply.

  • Association of International Product Marketing & Management (AIPMM) is the world's largest professional organization of product managers, brand managers, product marketing managers and other individuals responsible for guiding their organizations and clients through a constantly changing business landscape.

  • The Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) is a global community of over 36,000 companies serving to unify, harmonize and drive innovation in the vast range of connected devices all around us.

  • British Automation & Robotic Association (BARA) - promotes the use of, and assists in the development of Industrial Robots and Automation in British industry. It provides strong support to assist with the growth of the automation sector in Britain, as well as having a presence overseas at the International Federation of Robotics.

  • British Cryogenics Council founded in 1967 at the Royal Society to promote knowledge and interest in Cryogenics.

  • The British Fluid Power Association (BFPI) - to promote the techincal, trade and commercial interests of British Manufacturers and Suppliers of Hydraulic and Pneumatic equipment.

  • The Computer Society is the leading provider of technical information and services to the world's computing professionals.

  • CESMII Ð the Smart Manufacturing Institute, A USA government funded, non-profit organization to drive Smart Manufacturing. A primary source for Education and Workforce Development, Industry Networking, Funded Research and a Smart Manufacturing Innovation Platform to enable digital transformation.

  • Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS) - A global non-profit dedicated to promoting hydrogen safety and best practices worldwide.

  • Digital Twin Consortium (DTC) - Through a collaborative partnership with industry, academia, and government expertise, the Consortium is dedicated to the overall development of digital twins.

  • EEF-The Manufacturers Organisation is the representative voice of British manufacturing, both in the UK and Europe.

  • The Embedded Software Association (ESOFTA) provides its members with assorted marketing and communications services, a framework for member-initiated standards activities and a forum for software creator and user communications.

  • Engineering Integrity Society (EIS) A society focusing on the areas of fatigue, testing and durability.

  • The European Association of Pharma Biotechnology (EAPB) The representative and central network to promote and develop Pharma Biotechnology in Europe, linking academia, industries and regulatory bodies.

  • The European Cyber Security Organisation - A a European, cross-sectoral membership organisation that contributes to developing cybersecurity communities and building the European cybersecurity ecosystem. ECSO federates the European Cybersecurity public and private sector, including large companies, SMEs and start-ups, research centres, universities, end-users and operators of essential services, clusters and associations, as well as the local, regional and national public administrations across the European Union Members States and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

  • Fab Owners Association (FOA) is a not-for-profit international association for semiconductor manufacturers. They are headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley (USA). FOA provides a forum for semiconductor manufacturing executives to discuss common manufacturing issues. The association was founded in 2004.

  • The mission of The Fabless Semiconductor Association (FSA) is to stimulate technology and foundry capacity by communicating the future needs of the fabless semiconductor segment in terms of quantity and technology; to provide interactive forums for the mutual benefit of all FSA members; and to be a strong, united voice on vital issues affecting the future growth of fabless semiconductor companies.

  • The Federation of the Electronics Industry is a useful body and a source for information on standards such as the European Directives on EMC (The CE Mark).

    GERG European Gas Research Group works with the European energy community to develop innovative solutions which place our gas infrastructure at the heart of the energy system, now and in the future.

  • Industrial Digital Twin Association (IDTA) Promoting the Digital Twin - The Digital Twin is the key technology of Industry 4.0. With our Asset Administration Shell (AAS), we make the technology accessible to every company and set industry standards. Create the Digital Twin together with us.

  • The Industrial Internet Consortium - brings together the organizations and technologies necessary to accelerate the growth of the industrial internet by identifying, assembling, testing and promoting best practices.

  • The International Distribution of Electronics Association (IDEA) is a federation of component distribution trade associations from several major world countries.

  • The International Environment Agency (IEA) works with governments and industry to shape a secure and sustainable energy future for all

  • Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) - The assocition of professionals auditing controls in the computer systems that are critical to the operations of organizations. In 1969, the group formalized, incorporating as the EDP Auditors Association. In 1976 the association formed an education foundation to undertake large-scale research efforts to expand the knowledge and value of the IT

    FreePatentsOnline offers chemical search! Through entry of chemicals via SMILES, the patent database can be searched using normalized chemical formulas to ensure much more comprehensive searching than possible using regular keywords.

  • The Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM) A professional body which acts as the voice of air quality in Britain by producing useful and timely guidance on matters affecting air quality professionals and by responding to Government consultations.
  • The Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), an international body that provides services for and represents the interests of those involved in chemical, biochemical and process engineering world-wide.

  • The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) lists all its services and bookswith brief reviews, conference proceedings etc.

  • The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) is an independent, international research institute with National Member Organisations in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

  • IPC Association Connecting Electronics Industries. This is is a United States-based trade association dedicated to furthering the competitive excellence and financial success of its members worldwide, who are participants in the electronic interconnect industry.

  • ISPE, the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, is a world-wide, not-for-profit volunteer Society of technical professionals who apply their practical knowledge in the regulated healthcare manufacturing industries.

  • Local Energy Markets Alliance (LEMA). is a business-led initiative to develop commercial market solutions and scale the delivery of consumer-facing local energy systems.

  • The Low Power Radio Association (LPRA) an association for companies involved in deregulated radio anywhere in the world. It is believed to be the only such association for users and manufacturers of low power radio devices in the deregulated frequency bands.

  • Manufacturing Executive A membership organisation whose mission is to enable its members to define and shape a better future for the manufacturing industry worldwide.

  • The Manufacturing Execution Systems Association - MESA - to serve the manufacturing operations and management community and to provide thought leadership on the application of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) in order to contribute toward the improvement of production companies' competitive capabilities.

  • The Materials Research Society

  • National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), provides a forum for the standardization of electrical equipment, enabling consumers to select from a range of safe, effective, and compatible electrical products.

  • The National Maritime Safety Association. (NMSA) represents the marine cargo handling industry in the United States in safety and health matters arising under various statutes, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

  • O-RAN Alliance - The O-RAN ALLIANCE is a world-wide community of mobile network operators, vendors, and research & academic institutions operating in the Radio Access Network (RAN) industry.

  • OMG Group Object Management Group.

  • The Operational Technology Cyber Security Alliance (OTCSA), aims to bridge any dangerous gaps in security for OT and IT systems, critical infrastructures and industrial control systems (ICS) to support and improve the daily lives of citizens and workers in a rapidly evolving world.

  • Process Industry Practices (PIP) is a consortium of process industry owners and engineering construction contractors who serve the industry.

  • The Robotics Digital Innovation Hub in Europe - RobotUnion is an ecosystem that involves SMEs and startups together with corporates, researchers, acceleration programs and investors.

  • Process engineers will be interested in the site of The Royal Society of Chemistry.

  • Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) developing guidance to support companies to go beyond their science-based targets by channeling additional climate finance towards mitigation activities outside of their value chains.

  • The Society of Manufacturing Engineers has developed the Global Manufacturing Network to help users find information on manufacturers, suppliers etc.

  • SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) - - SAE is a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial vehicle industries.

  • Standardisation Group for Embedded Technologies (SGET) The purpose of the Association is the promotion of science and research. The purpose is realized in particular when SGET, in a team effort in various workgroups on embedded computer technologies, prepares and compiles technical specifications or other work results such as implementation guidelines, software interfaces or system requirements, which serve the purpose of energy efficiency, environmental protection and effective technology, science and the public, publishes such information and promotes its application for the benefit of the general public.

  • The SPE System Alliance is an association of leading technology companies from various industries and application areas, which shares a unified goal to combine their know-how in the field of SPE and exchange it in a strategic manner. All partners support the common goal of promoting Single Pair Ethernet technology for IIoT and all other areas of application.

  • Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) A not-for-profit global organization that leads the storage industry in developing and promoting vendor-neutral architectures, standards, and educational services that facilitate the efficient management, movement, and security of information.

  • SWIG is the Sensors for Water Interest Group, a not-for profit information, ideas-exchange, and networking group with a diverse UK-wide membership drawn from the water and process industries, sensor manufacturers and their distributers, academic institutions involved in sensor research, regulatory bodies and consultants working in the field of water management.

  • Single Pair Ethernet(SPE) Industrial Partner Network is the infrastructure basis that makes IIoT and Industry 4.0 possible. Seven industrial technology leaders have joined forces to advance the technology for the rapidly growing IIoT market. HARTING, TE Connectivity, HIROSE, Würth Electronics, LEONI, MURR Elektronik and Softing are the founding members of the SPE Industrial Partner Network.

  • The Survey Association (TSA) The role of TSA is to promote best practice amongst its members, provide a forum for members for discussion, debate and continuing professional development and, to the wider audience such as engineers and architects, provide guidance on new methods and techniques and a list of suitably qualified and experienced companies.

  • TAPPI is the technical association for the pulp and paper industry.

  • techUK represents the companies and technologies that are defining today the world that we will live in tomorrow. More than 950 companies are members of techUK. Collectively they employ approximately 700,000 people, about half of all tech sector jobs in Britain.

  • Technical Services Industry Association (TSIA)

  • The UK Industrial Vision Association The primary objective of the UKIVA is to promote the use of the vision technology by manufacturing industry in the UK.

  • Z-Wave Alliance Established in 2005, the Z-Wave Alliance is comprised of industry leaders throughout the globe that are dedicated to the development and extension of Z-Wave as the key enabling technology for ÔsmartÕ home and business applications.
The List of Societies on the TechExpo Site is the most comprehensive I have seen.

The site is mantained by Eoin Ó Riain and any suggestions or thoughts are more than welcome.
Suggestions should be mailed to readout@iol.ie. Other Contact Details

The Signpost has been honoured to receive a number of awards.