Functional safety is now the foundation of contemporary technology, with systems designed to react safely even in the event of failure. At the heart of this discipline lies IEC 61508, the international standard for functional safety of electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic (E/E/PE) systems. Since its publication, IEC 61508 has provided a methodical approach to hazard identification, risk mitigation, and compliance. Today, with industries evolving so rapidly and products becoming increasingly complex, manufacturers face new challenges—and new opportunities—when it comes to this vital standard.
Why IEC 61508 Matters More Than Ever?
IEC 61508 is the basis upon which industry-specific standards for safety are developed. For example, ISO 26262 for motor vehicles, IEC 61511 for process industries, and IEC 62061 for machinery all have their ancestry in IEC 61508. Suppliers wanting to prove product compliance with safety, enter international markets, or gain customer confidence cannot afford to ignore its specifications.
With industries embracing advanced electronics, semiconductors, and software-defined systems, functional safety hazards have grown in number. Failure of a safety-critical component can be devastating not only for end users but also for the goodwill of the manufacturer too, which will impact access to the market. IEC 61508 safeguards that risks are mitigated methodically and transparently, providing trust to regulators and customers that product is safe.
The Latest Developments in IEC 61508
The standard is dynamic. With the speed of technological advancements recognized, changes are in the pipeline which will impact manufacturers directly soon.
- Functional Safety of Semiconductors
One of the most important developments is the transition of IEC 61508-2-1, which addresses semiconductor reliability, from a Technical Specification to a full standard. With electronics at the core of everything from industrial robots to electric cars, semiconductor safety is paramount. The new release will raise the bar for chip design by demanding stronger proof of robustness, error detection, and safe failure modes
- Integrating with Cybersecurity
At the same time, safety and cybersecurity are coming closer than ever. Because today’s safety systems connect through networks, they also face cyber risks. The revised IEC 61508 makes it clear: manufacturers must address cybersecurity as part of functional safety, working in line with IEC 62443.
- Increased Lifecycle Management Focus
Functional safety is no longer just a matter of the initial design. Ongoing monitoring, revisions, and support through the lifecycle are now the norm. Manufacturers required to ensure that products remain compliant and safe to use during their operational life, by ensuring they follow robust processes for updates, maintenance, and end-of-life considerations.
Challenges for Manufacturers
Manufacturers face several real-world challenges when trying to comply with functional safety.
- Complex supply chains: Compliance doesn’t end within a single company. Manufacturers need to make sure their semiconductor suppliers, software vendors, and sub-component partners also meet the required safety standards.
- Variation of different regional rules: IEC 61508 is implemented in various ways globally, producing a compliance complexity maze.
- High cost and effort: Certification requires extensive documentation, testing, and third-party auditing. These are typically taxing for in-house staff and facilities.
Your Functional Safety Partner: Nemko
Nemko makes functional safety easy for manufacturers. Years of hands-on, detailed technical experience in testing and certification enable us to help companies eliminate complexity and become compliant with confidence.
- Comprehensive Testing: We identify safety functions, modes of failure, and IEC 61508 and related standard conformity.
- Global Certification: Our approvals allow products to access foreign markets.
- End-to-End Support: From initial design reviews to product release and after-market verifications, we support manufacturers through each phase of the life cycle.
- Trusted Advice: Our specialists remain up to date with IEC standards, regulatory developments, and best practices in the industry, providing manufacturers with a trusted ally as well as a certification agency.
Nemko as a Thought Leader in Functional Safety
Industries everywhere face growing pressure to deliver safer and more reliable products. Nemko leads the way by not only testing and certifying, but also by actively shaping the future of functional safety through participation in standards development and industry forums. Through involvement in standards development, providing technical expertise, and serving customers in a wide range of industries—automotive, industrial automation, electrification, and more—Nemko is not just a certifying organization; Nemko is an international regulatory ally dedicated to enabling companies to innovate safely.
The Road Ahead
The revisions to IEC 61508 underscore a larger reality: functional safety is a dynamic field that demands forward thinking. Companies that plan ahead will not only get in front of compliance timelines but also establish a competitive advantage by establishing their commitment to quality and safety.
With Nemko's guidance, companies can move confidently into the future, maintaining their products as safe, compliant, and trusted globally.