IEC TS 60870-5-601:2015(E) describes test cases for conformance testing of telecontrol equipment, Substation Automation Systems (SAS) and telecontrol systems, including front-end functions of SCADA. The use of this part of IEC 60870 facilitates interoperability by providing a standard method of testing protocol implementations, but it does not guarantee interoperability of devices. It is expected that using this part of IEC 60870 during testing will minimize the risk of non-interoperability. The goal of this part of IEC 60870 is to enable unambiguous and standardised evaluation of IEC 60870-5 companion standard protocol implementations. The guidelines and conditions for the testing environment are described in IEC 60870-5-6. This new edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- resolving ambiguities and inconsistencies between IEC 0870-5-101:2003 and IEC TS 60870-5-601:2006;
- enhancements and optimisation of test cases which are needed to prove conformance with IEC 60870-5-101:2003.

This publication is to be read in conjunction with IEC 60870-5-101:2003