What is the relationship between ISO 26262 and IEC 61508?

The ISO 26262: Functional Safety for Road Vehicles and IEC 61508: Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Electronic Safety-related Systems are two important standards in the field of functional safety. While both standards deal with ensuring safety in various systems, they have different scopes and application areas.

ISO 26262: Functional Safety for Road Vehicles

ISO 26262 is specifically designed for road vehicles, focusing on the safety aspects of electrical and electronic systems used in these vehicles. It provides guidelines for the development and assessment of functional safety, keeping in mind the complexities and hazards associated with automotive systems. The standard addresses the entire lifecycle of a vehicle, from concept to decommissioning, outlining specific processes, requirements, and levels for achieving functional safety.

IEC 61508: Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Electronic Safety-related Systems

On the other hand, IEC 61508 is a more generic standard that applies to a wide range of industries and sectors. It covers the functional safety of electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic safety-related systems across various applications, such as industrial automation, power generation, and transportation. While it doesn't focus solely on road vehicles like ISO 26262, it provides a comprehensive framework for managing functional safety through all stages of a system's lifecycle.

Relationship between ISO 26262 and IEC 61508

There is an overlapping relationship between ISO 26262 and IEC 61508, as both standards share common principles and methodologies for achieving functional safety. ISO 26262 can be seen as a specific implementation of IEC 61508, tailored for the automotive industry. The concepts and processes defined in IEC 61508 form the foundation for ISO 26262, but with additional considerations specific to road vehicles.

Companies working in the automotive sector often need to comply with both standards. They would typically establish their functional safety management systems based on IEC 61508, which provides a more general framework, and then adapt it to meet the specific requirements outlined in ISO 26262.

In summary, ISO 26262 and IEC 61508 are two interrelated standards that aim to ensure functional safety in different domains. While ISO 26262 focuses on automotive systems, IEC 61508 has a wider applicability across industries. With the principles established in IEC 61508 serving as the basis, ISO 26262 provides additional guidelines and specifications customized for the automotive sector.