IEC/PAS 61158-5-22:2009(E) provides user programs with a means to access the fieldbus communication environment. In this respect, the FAL can be viewed as a "window between corresponding application programs." It provides common elements for basic time-critical and non-time-critical messaging communications between application programs in an automation environment and material specific to Type SNpTYPE fieldbus. It contains an additional profile - SNpTYPE - which may be integrated into a future new edition of the IEC 61158-5 series.