ABB Calls for Stronger International Standards Cooperation and AI Innovation

International standards and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly important drivers of industrial transformation. As manufacturers expand into global markets and adopt more advanced digital technologies, consistent technical standards, product certification, and intelligent engineering solutions are essential for improving industrial efficiency and supporting cross-border cooperation.

ABB addressed these topics at the ninth Hongqiao International Economic Forum, held in Shanghai, China. On November 5, 2026, Tuomo Hoysniemi, Global President of ABB’s Drive Products business, participated in a roundtable discussion titled “Strengthening International Standards Cooperation and AI Empowering Industrial Upgrading.”

The discussion focused on how international standards can connect technological innovation with industrial development, and how cooperation in emerging technology fields can support the wider application of innovation.

ABB emphasized that international standards provide a common technical language for companies operating across different markets. They also help build trust, improve compatibility, and support the adoption of industrial technologies in global supply chains.

For manufacturers, OEMs, and industrial equipment suppliers, the discussion highlights the growing relationship between standards compliance, digital innovation, and international market competitiveness.

International Standards: A Foundation for Global Industrial Cooperation

Industrial equipment manufacturers must address different technical requirements when supplying products to international markets.

Electrical equipment, variable frequency drives, motors, automation systems, and industrial control components may be subject to different certification and regulatory requirements depending on the destination market and intended application.

International standards help establish consistent technical expectations and provide a framework for product design, testing, safety, and performance evaluation.

During the forum, ABB’s Tuomo Hoysniemi highlighted the role of standards in connecting local markets with the global industrial ecosystem. He emphasized that standards help innovation cross market boundaries and provide a foundation of trust for international cooperation.

For Chinese OEM manufacturers exporting machinery and industrial equipment, this issue is particularly relevant. Selecting components and systems that meet the applicable requirements of destination markets can help simplify project planning and reduce compliance-related uncertainty.

However, certification requirements remain dependent on the specific product, application, installation conditions, and destination market. Compliance with one standard or certification scheme does not automatically guarantee acceptance in every country.

ABB Drive Products and International Certification Requirements

ABB highlighted the importance of product certification and compliance in supporting customers operating internationally.

The company stated that multiple ABB drive products designed for global markets have obtained certifications or conformity assessments associated with major international requirements, including:

• CE marking: Relevant to applicable European Union product legislation and conformity requirements.
• UL certification: Relevant to product safety requirements in North American markets, depending on the specific certification and product.
• ATEX certification: Relevant to equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres when covered by the applicable requirements.

These certifications can support customers when selecting electrical drive equipment for international projects.

For OEMs, the use of appropriately certified components can help reduce the need for additional product modifications or repeated conformity assessments, provided the equipment is used within the scope of its certification and the complete machine or system meets applicable regulations.

It is important to note that certification status is product-specific. Buyers and system integrators should verify the exact model, certificate, installation conditions, and destination-market requirements before selecting equipment for an export project.

Digitalization of Marine Electrical Drive Product Inspection

Another important example discussed by ABB was the application of digital technology in marine electrical equipment inspection.

According to ABB, in June 2026, the company received an L3-level recognition certificate from the China Classification Society (CCS) for a digital application related to the inspection of marine electrical drive products. ABB described it as the first such recognition certificate in China for this product category.

The digital inspection application connects equipment production and testing data with the classification society’s official system.

This approach supports automated inspection processes and traceable data management. By reducing manual information transfer and improving the accessibility of inspection records, digitalization can help make the verification process more efficient and transparent.

Marine electrical drive equipment operates in demanding environments where reliability, safety, and documentation are essential.

Digital inspection processes can therefore provide value in areas such as:

• Production and inspection data collection.
• Test record management.
• Inspection workflow coordination.
• Data traceability.
• Technical documentation and verification.

The development demonstrates how digital technologies can be applied not only to equipment operation but also to quality assurance and product certification processes.

Local Manufacturing and Service Capabilities Support Global Customers

ABB also highlighted the importance of local manufacturing, research, engineering, and service capabilities in China.

According to the company’s announcement, approximately 85% of ABB’s sales revenue in China comes from products manufactured locally, services provided locally, and solutions delivered through its local operations.

ABB has established research, manufacturing, sales, and engineering service capabilities in China. These resources allow the company to combine global technology experience with local customer support.

For Chinese OEMs and industrial equipment manufacturers, local technical support can be particularly useful when developing machinery for overseas markets.

Customers may need assistance with drive selection, motor matching, electrical design, system configuration, and certification documentation. Access to local engineering and service resources can help coordinate these activities while supporting the requirements of international projects.

This model connects global technology resources with local engineering and delivery capabilities.

AI Creates New Opportunities for Industrial Automation Engineering

Beyond standards and certification, artificial intelligence was another major topic at the forum.

AI is increasingly being explored in industrial engineering, equipment commissioning, fault diagnosis, maintenance, and production optimization.

ABB has been developing digital and AI-enabled technologies that combine industrial domain expertise with software, analytics, and automation capabilities.

In industrial automation, AI can potentially support engineers in several practical areas.

PLC programming and engineering: AI-based tools may help engineers understand programming requirements, locate relevant technical documentation, and organize repetitive development tasks.

Drive commissioning: Intelligent assistance may help users identify relevant parameters, interpret alarm information, and follow equipment configuration procedures.

Fault diagnosis: AI tools can analyze technical documentation and available operating information to help maintenance teams investigate equipment problems.

Predictive maintenance: By analyzing equipment condition data and operating trends, AI-based systems may help identify abnormal behavior and support maintenance planning.

Energy optimization: Data analysis and intelligent control strategies can help industrial users identify opportunities to improve motor and drive efficiency.

These applications are promising, but their effectiveness depends on data quality, equipment compatibility, cybersecurity, engineering validation, and the operating environment.

AI should support engineering decisions rather than replace the technical responsibility of qualified personnel, particularly in safety-critical applications.

ABB’s 2026 Startup Challenge Connects AI Innovation with Industrial Applications

ABB’s discussion of AI-driven industrial upgrading is also reflected in its innovation activities.

In 2026, ABB held the first China edition of its ABB Startup Challenge, working with the open innovation platform SynerLeap to identify AI-based solutions for industrial automation engineering.

Seven finalists presented technologies aimed at helping OEMs and industrial end users improve programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance processes.

Beijing Wansheng Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. was selected as the winner at the final event in Nanjing on October 29, 2026.

ABB announced that it would work with the winning company to develop a market-oriented solution, while also exploring potential cooperation with other finalists.

The competition illustrates how ABB is connecting startup innovation with practical industrial requirements. Rather than focusing only on general AI applications, the challenge encouraged solutions designed around specific engineering tasks and automation equipment.

The collaboration also reflects the importance of testing new technologies in real industrial environments before wider deployment.

What International Standards and AI Mean for the Industrial Control Equipment Market

The combination of international standards and AI innovation has implications for manufacturers across the industrial control equipment sector.

Variable frequency drives and motors: Global certification and energy-efficiency requirements influence equipment selection, installation, and export-market access. AI-assisted tools may also support commissioning and equipment monitoring.

PLC and DCS systems: International standards help establish requirements for industrial control equipment, while AI can support engineering, system configuration, and operational data analysis.

Industrial robots: Standardization, testing, and certification are important for robot safety, interoperability, and industrial deployment.

Electrical distribution equipment: Compliance and product verification remain essential for reliable power distribution in factories, infrastructure, and commercial facilities.

Industrial communication systems: Common communication standards help equipment from different manufacturers exchange data and operate within integrated automation architectures.

For equipment suppliers and system integrators, the ability to combine reliable hardware, appropriate certification, digital capabilities, and technical support is becoming increasingly important.

Conclusion

ABB’s participation in the ninth Hongqiao International Economic Forum highlights the importance of international standards cooperation and AI-driven innovation in the next stage of industrial development.

The company’s discussion covered several practical areas, including international product certification, local manufacturing and service capabilities, digital inspection of marine electrical drive products, and AI-assisted automation engineering.

For industrial equipment manufacturers and OEM exporters, these developments demonstrate that global competitiveness depends on more than product performance alone. Certification, technical compatibility, reliable engineering support, and digital capabilities all play important roles in international market development.

As industrial digitalization accelerates, international standards will continue to provide a foundation for cooperation, while AI may help manufacturers improve engineering efficiency and operational performance.

ABB’s approach of connecting global standards, local industrial capabilities, and emerging technologies reflects an important direction for the future of industrial automation and electrification.

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