ISO/IEC 81346 – Reference Designation System for Industrial Systems

Learn how the ISO/IEC 81346 standard creates a common structure for identifying systems, equipment and components across engineering, documentation and lifecycle management.

ISO/IEC 81346 is an international standard for structuring and identifying industrial systems and equipment. It provides a consistent reference designation system that improves engineering communication, reduces documentation errors and supports collaboration across disciplines and organizations.

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Aalborg Forsyning
Makeen Energy
Grundfos
Airbus
Renewables Norway
Semco maritime
FLSmidth
LKAB

Why is a common engineering language important?

Imagine trying to run a symphony without sheet music - many engineering projects face that every day.

As a project expands, complexity naturally rises. It’s never too late to introduce a shared naming system so all engineering teams use consistent terminology and can exchange data smoothly.

  • Inconsistent reference designations

  • Costly integration issues

  • Compliance gaps

We have seen it all, and know the effectiveness of a well integrated reference designation system

Top drivers for change

two men pointing at a structure on a whiteboard
  1. Comprehensive ISO/IEC Expertise

    Hands‑on experience applying 81346 in complex infrastructure and industrial environments. ​

  2. Tools That Scale

    Software that automates structure, naming, and compliance. ​

  3. Workflows Your Teams Can Actually Use

    Training, templates, and facilitation that make the standard practical.

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Our approach to RDS 81346