General Development 1919/2019 – 100 years of standardization for agriculture & agricultural machinery

Standardization of agricultural machinery has influenced developments in agricultural technology and agriculture for over 100 years. Past (and future) achievements are due to the commitment and conviction of all those involved that the rules for safe and economical use of machinery can only be set jointly (and internationally) and that decisions must always be measured by the benefits for the customer. Over time, the focus of standardization has shifted. Originally, the focus was on the variety of types and quality, followed by the standardization of mechanical, hydraulic and electronic interfaces. When the single European market formed, standards to support EU directives became important. As this phase has largely been completed with the publication of many EN ISO standards, standardization must concentrate on connected and autonomous machines and processes to meet social and economic challenges.