This International Technical Specification describes methods and provides guidance for the evaluation of Process Control Systems (PCS) during the phase of selection between different proposals. The methods of evaluation proposed in this technical specification are intended for use mainly by users@ engineering companies@ or independent test laboratories@ to verify manufacturers' proposals during the tender (as described in IEC 62603-1) or the provided Process Control System during the FAT procedure. The specification and test procedures specified in this technical specification apply to a large variety of automation systems@ both based on conventional technology (e.g. 4 mA to 20 mA field devices) and based on Intelligent Field Devices (IFD) with serial communication of any kind. For this reason@ the tests specified in this technical specification are not necessarily sufficient for automation systems specifically designed for special duties. In such cases@ user and manufacturer should define additional tests for assessing specific functions or performances. The procedure for specifying the PCS technical requirements@ evaluating the different offers@ and carrying out the tests on the chosen PCS differs from one company to another and from one project to another@ but some common steps exist@ as Figure 1 shows. The IEC 62603 considers this process divided into two steps: definition of the PCS technical requirements (in the scope of IEC 62603-1) and test of the chosen PCS.