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The open metering system of the Open Metering System Group e.V. stands for a manufacturer- and media-independent standardization for Meter-Bus (M-Bus) based communication between utility meters (electricity, gas, water, thermal energy), submetering (cold/hot water, thermal energy, heat cost allocators), and systems in the field of smart meters.
In response to Directive 2006/32/EC on energy end-use efficiency and energy services of the European Union (in particular Article 13 of the Directive), several German multi-utility-companies (public utility offering more than only one type of supply like electricity, gas, water and district heating) joined and asked international manufacturers of meters intended for billing to create a common standard. The goal was to have meters with standardized communication interfaces and systems in the future. On the manufacturer side, members of the technical associations FIGAWA (German Association for Gas and Water), KNX and ZVEI (German Electrical and Electronics Industry Association) came together and, on the basis of the European Meter-Bus standard (EN 13757 Part 1 to Part 7), and the Dutch NTA 8130, have made joint specifications that guarantee manufacturer-independent interoperability.
Since May 2007, various working groups, first within the Open Metering System initiative and since 2015 under the Open Metering System Group e. V., have been dedicated to evaluating and enhancing existing standards for interoperable communication in measurement systems. The OMS Group has continuously updated and refined these specifications, most recently releasing Version 2.4.1 [1] in December 2023.
The OMS specification is built on the EN 13757-x series of standards, which defines M-Bus as both a physical and a data communication protocol for meters. M-Bus supports both wired and wireless communication, ensuring flexibility in deployment. Specifically, the OMS specification utilizes the EN 13757-4 standard for wireless communication, which is also used by the KNX standard, allowing for the integration of metering data with building automation systems through a unified communication infrastructure.
While wide area communication (WAN) is not the primary focus of the OMS specification, OMS ensures compatibility with proven Internet standards, enabling data transmission across various physical mediums while adhering to stringent security requirements.
To ensure secure and interoperable communication, the OMS specification mandates the use of device-specific encryption based on widely accepted algorithms, such as AES 128 [2] . This is essential to maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of metering data, particularly in wireless and PLC (Power Line Communication) environments.
The OMS Group has also aligned its efforts with European mandates, such as Mandate M/441 [3] from the European Commission, which calls for open architecture in smart metering systems to ensure interoperability. This alignment has included cooperation with standards organizations like KEMA (now DNV) to harmonize OMS specifications with regional regulations, such as the Dutch NTA 8130/DSMR.
Compliance with the OMS specification is verified through rigorous testing using the OMS Conformance Test Tool. Devices that pass these tests can be certified by independent bodies, ensuring that they meet the highest standards of interoperability and security.
The outcoming results have been brought into European via the Technical Committee CEN/TC 294 since 2009, which maintains and develops the EN 13757 series of standards. This means that essential components of the OMS specification have been incorporated into updated European Standards. The standards or the published draft standards are available to everyone for purchase. The OMS specification documents are in English and available for free.
The Open Metering System (OMS) certification is a critical process that ensures the interoperability, security, and reliability of devices within the OMS ecosystem. The certification process is designed to guarantee that all OMS-compliant devices, such as smart meters and communication gateways, meet the stringent requirements defined in the OMS specifications.
The certification process involves a series of rigorous tests that assess a device's conformance to the OMS standards. These tests are conducted using the OMS Conformance Test Tool (OMS-CT), which is developed and maintained by the OMS Group. The OMS-CT is a comprehensive tool that evaluates various aspects of device performance, including communication protocols, data security (such as AES 128 encryption), and functional interoperability.
Devices that pass the OMS certification tests are eligible to receive an official OMS certification. This certification is issued by an independent certification body, ensuring that the evaluation process is impartial and adheres to the highest standards of quality. Certified devices are listed in the OMS Group's official registry [4] , which is accessible to the public and industry stakeholders.
The certification process is overseen by accredited certification bodies, such as DVGW [5] and VDE [6] , which are responsible for conducting the tests and issuing certificates. These bodies operate independently of the OMS Group to maintain objectivity in the certification process.
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