IEC 61508 (Functional Safety)

IEC 61508 is an international standard that sets guidelines for designing and managing electronic safety systems in industries like manufacturing, transportation, and energy. Its goal is to ensure these systems reliably perform their safety functions to prevent accidents or harm. The standard covers risk assessment, system design, testing, and maintenance, promoting consistent practices to minimize hazards. Essentially, IEC 61508 helps organizations create safety systems that function correctly even in failure conditions, protecting people, environment, and assets while maintaining operational integrity.