Shaping the Future of Functional Safety with CANopen Safety

At TK Engineering, we’re excited to share that we are actively contributing to the future of functional safety by participating in the ongoing revision of the CANopen Safety protocol. This important work is being done within the CAN in Automation (CiA) Interest Group IG06: Safety and Security, where experts from around the world are collaborating to ensure CANopen Safety continues to meet the evolving demands of modern safety-critical systems.

Our contributions focus on the updates to CiA-319, which defines recommended practices for CANopen Safety device profiles, and the international standard EN 50325-5, which formally defines the CANopen Safety protocol. These revisions are key to enhancing the protocol’s performance, flexibility, and alignment with the latest industry requirements.

CANopen Safety (EN 50325-5) is a powerful extension of CANopen that enables safe and certified communication between safety-related devices—supporting applications up to Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL 3). From mobile machinery to industrial automation, it’s a critical component for systems that demand reliable, deterministic, and standards-compliant communication.

As a long-standing member of CiA and trusted CANopen specialist, TKE supports its partners in designing and implementing systems that meet both functional and safety requirements. Whether you’re developing a new safety concept or updating an existing system, our expertise ensures that your solutions are not only innovative but also compliant with the latest standards. By participating in this important standardization work, we’re reinforcing our commitment to safety, interoperability, and industry-wide collaboration.

At TK Engineering, we believe that advancing functional safety is not just about keeping pace with technology, it’s about shaping a safer and more reliable future for all industries relying on CANopen Safety. Our active role in interest groups, demonstrates the unique value we bring: deep technical expertise, a collaborative approach, and a dedication to helping our partners navigate complex safety requirements with confidence. This ongoing commitment to standardization and quality is what sets us apart as a trusted partner in the development of cutting-edge, safety-critical systems worldwide. Together with our customers and industry peers, we are building the foundation for safer, smarter, and more connected technologies that will drive tomorrow’s success.