Industrial Standards and Certifications Made Simple
- Braemac
- Sep 23
- 5 min read
In industrial environments, standards and certifications are more than just regulatory checkboxes; they’re essential for ensuring safety, reliability, and global compliance. Whether you’re developing solutions for oil rigs, defence systems, or passenger information systems for trains, standards provide a benchmark for performance.
Standards vs Certifications
At a glance, standards define requirements in areas like performance, durability, safety, or environmental protections. On the other hand, certifications are proof from accredited bodies that a product has been tested and complies with a given standard.
For example, Braemac holds the JOSCAR-AU Certification. As an official member of the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register (JOSCAR), a collaborative supply chain solution developed by Hellios Information, Braemac demonstrates compliance with rigorous procurement and risk management standards. Certifications like JOSCAR not only validate adherence to best practices but also streamline supply chain approval processes, giving customers confidence in working with trusted partners.
While they work together to provide a baseline for interoperability, trust, and market access, there is a clear distinction. Standards establish technical and procedural expectations. Certifications verify expectations have been met through documented testing, audits, and third-party validation.Â
Benchmark Industrial Standards
When developing solutions for industrial, defense, or transportation applications, engineers must consider which benchmark standards are important for included products in designs. Standards serve as a critical starting point to ensure designs are resilient, safe, and globally deployable.
Universal Standards: IP Ratings
Ingress Protection (IP) ratings define how well enclosures prevent dust, dirt, and water from entering. Common examples include:
IP65: Dust tight and protected against water jets
IP67: Withstands submersion up to 1 meter
IP68: Tested for continuous immersion at greater depths
Applications range from rugged handheld electronics to industrial control panels, outdoor enclosures, and antennas in harsh environments.
Military and Defense: MIL-STD
The U.S. Department of Defense issues MIL-STD (military standards) to ensure equipment can survive the toughest conditions. A leading example is MIL-STD-810, which covers environmental tests such as temperature extremes, humidity, vibration, and shock.
MIL-STD compliance has become a benchmark for commercial rugged devices used in industries like aerospace, energy, and heavy machinery. Manufacturers leverage MIL-STD-tested products to prevent failures in the field and extend operational lifetimes.
Common MIL-STDs for Industrial Components
MIL-STD | |
|---|---|
MIL-STD-810 | Environmental testing: vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, shock. |
MIL-STD-461 | Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)- testing emissions and susceptibility. |
MIL-STD-704 | Aircraft electrical power characteristics. |
MIL-STD-1553 | Data bus / communication standard, especially for avionics. |
MIL-STD-883 | Standard for testing microelectronic devices (environmental, mechanical, electrical) in military/aerospace applications. |
MIL-STD-1387 | Defines I/O data interface standards (physical, functional, electrical) for naval tactical data systems. |
Hazardous Environments: ATEX and IECEx
Hazardous environments, such as oil refineries, mining operations, and chemical plants, require equipment that will not ignite flammable gases or dust.
ATEX (EU)Â applies to equipment used within the European Union.
IECEx (International)Â provides a global framework accepted across multiple regions.
Equipment is classified into categories and zones based on the type of hazardous atmosphere and level of protection required. Compliance ensures both worker safety and regulatory approval for deploying technology in explosive environments.
4 Key Steps for Navigating Compliance
Successfully meeting industrial standards and certifications requires more than a checklist. Organisations and developers can streamline the process by focusing on four core steps:
Standards Gap AnalysisÂ
Assess current systems and processes to uncover where they fall short of industry requirements.
Look for Accredited Design Â
Work with recognized experts who can validate compliance through rigorous testing and audits.
Opt for Pre-Certified ComponentsÂ
Reduce risk and accelerate time to market by sourcing technology partners who already meet key certifications.
Partner with Braemac
From embedded systems and displays to sensors, antennas, power, and compute solutions, Braemac delivers pre-certified industrial technologies and engineering expertise that help you navigate compliance with confidence.
Industrial Solutions Available at Braemac
Navigating industrial standards doesn’t have to be a difficult process. By working with the right partners, organisations can accelerate compliance, reduce risk, and focus on innovation. Braemac provides a comprehensive portfolio of pre-certified, industrial-grade solutions designed to meet stringent global standards.
Embedded Solutions and Displays
Braemac has a wide range of embedded systems and display solutions purpose-built for demanding environments and mission-critical applications to deliver reliable performance.
ATEX panel PCs are certified for use in:
ATEX Class I Division 2
ATEX 94/9/EC Zone 2
IECEx Zone 2
IP69K waterproof GPU computer with NVIDIA® L4 GPU
MIL-STD-801H compliant
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US military shock and vibration resistance (MIL-STD-810H)
Rail transit (EN 50121-3-2)
In-vehicle (E-mark)
UL Safety certification
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Sensors and Antennas
In mission-critical applications, the ability to measure, detect, and communicate reliably is essential. Braemac’s comprehensive portfolio includes best-in-class sensors and antennas known for their rugged design, precision performance, and pre-certifications.
Capable of withstanding pressures up to 175,000 psi.
Widely used in applications like:
o  Aerospace
o  Oil-field exploration
o  Industrial research
IP68-rated motion sensors for applications in:
o  Industrial
o  Robotics
o  Autonomous vehicles
IP69K enclosure
Key applications:
o  Automotive
o  UAV
o  Robotics
o  Defence applications that require high-precision location & timing
Test and Measurement Devices
Accurate, reliable data collection is the foundation of system validation. Braemac has a variety of T&M solutions built to withstand industrial environments while delivering precise performance. With IP-rated enclosures and ruggedized designs, these devices ensure measurements can be trusted even in the presence of dust, moisture, vibration, and temperature extremes.
IP65/67 rated enclosure
Can withstand up to 10 grms of vibration
Operating range of -40 °C to 85 °C
Industrial-grade M12 connectors
Power Solutions
In environments where outages, surges, or unstable conditions can compromise safety and performance, rugged, certified power solutions are essential. Braemac offers industrial-grade power technologies designed to meet the most demanding global standards, ensuring continuous operation when it matters most.
Designed to military-grade standards:
o  MIL-STD-810
o  MIL-STD-461
o  MIL-STD-1399-300B
CE certified for safety, health, and environmental standards
Chips and Compute
By sourcing chips and compute solutions from Braemac, developers can accelerate design cycles, reduce compliance risk, and ensure that every system is built on a foundation of certified reliability and performance.
Excellent phase jitter performance in harsh conditions
Shock-resistant
Vibration test (MIL-STD-810G 514.7)
Thermal shock test (MIL-STD-810G 503.6)
Drop test (ISTA-1A)
Bending test (EIAJ-4072)
Gold finger insert and extract tests (100 cycles)
MIL-STD-202G, Condition A
MIL-STD-883K, Condition B
MIL-STD-810G, Method 514.6,Procedure I, Category 24
MIL-STD-810G, Method 514.6, Procedure I, Category 7
Standards and certifications might seem complex, but they play a vital role in ensuring safety, enabling innovation, and building trust across industries. By understanding the frameworks and choosing pre-certified solutions from trusted partners like Braemac, companies can streamline compliance and accelerate time to market.
Contact info@Braemac.com for more details on incorporating cutting-edge industrial solutions in your designs.
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