This paper presents an approach to complex system recovery based on a fuzzy specification method. The method can be applied when controllers of different types and makes are connected in a common control architecture. The method allows a controller B to trigger a recovery operation on a controller A when B has the recovery specification of A. The approach has important potential applications in industry, e.g. as a possible complement to PLC standards such as IEC1131, and to the design of hybrid and complex control systems