Functional Safety - Approved Product Certification

Sira’s product certification to IEC 61508 is suitable for all products that are intended for use in safety-related applications. Products include sensors, instrumentation, logic solvers, and final elements, used in a variety of industries such as the process, nuclear, rail, machinery and even domestic equipment sectors.

IEC 61508-certified products are more likely to extend market penetration and offer the potential of increased sales growth. The benefits of increased hardware and systematic integrity can also be seen in improved product quality – lower returns, field recalls, and improved levels of customer satisfaction.

Both hardware and software functionality is assessed (as relevant to the product) to evaluate the product’s suitability for SIL-rated applications and to certify the product or system’s safety-related parameters.

Sira’s Approved Product certificates bear the UKAS accreditation mark, which is recognised internationally.

Sira realises that many clients would like a staged approach to product certification and therefore we offer the following recommended route:

• Training - As part of our two-day training course on IEC 61508 and its sector standards, we can allocate a part of each training day to a session where the client’s own systems and products can be discussed informally so that some understanding can be reached as to where they stand in relation to compliance with the standard
   
• Pre-assessment - This normally requires an on-site visit, particularly for the software aspects. We conduct interviews and discussions with management and hardware and software engineering staff.
  
  The pre-assessment is conducted on the basis of what emerges during the meetings, which normally takes place during an intensive one or two-day visit, with the findings summarised in a closing meeting.
  
  Following the visit, a report is prepared after the pre-assessment visit and sent to the client.
   
• Full Assessment - Of the client’s product and processes using Parts 1-3 of IEC 61508, 61511, 62061, or whatever norm is applicable to the client’s business.
  
  This work covers the relevant hardware and software lifecycle and how it is applied to a particular product. An assessment can typically take several man-days and extend over several weeks, depending on the complexity of the product and process. The majority of the work entails detailed examination of the relevant documentary evidence and can therefore be conducted at Sira’s premises.
  
  Each aspect of the client’s product and process is examined against the criteria of the relevant standard, with reference to the CASS methodology, as required. In cases where improvements are needed before the criteria for the required SIL can be fulfilled, we continue to work with the client and give advice on the most appropriate interpretation of the standards.
  
  On completion of the full assessment, we issue a detailed report, which provides the supporting evidence to enable the wording of the certificate to be framed accurately and appropriately. A draft product certificate is prepared for the client’s comments before it is finalised and formally issued.
   

Next Steps

Sira can issue fixed price quotations for Product Certification. To obtain a formal quotation, please fill in the relevant sections of the Request for quotation form, a copy of which can be downloaded by clicking here