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ISO 13849 / IEC 62061 – Safety-related control systems
Overview
What are ISO 13849 and IEC 62061?
ISO 13849 and IEC 62061 are international standards that define how to design, implement, and validate safety-related control systems for machinery.
Why ISO 12100 Is So Important Today
Machines Are Increasingly Software-Driven
Collaborative and Flexible Automation Is Expanding
Regulators Expect Proven Safety Performance
Failures Can Have Severe Consequences
Benefits of ISO 13849 / IEC 62061
- Ensures Functional Safety
- Reduces Risk of System Failure
- Supports Regulatory and Legal Compliance
- Enables Advanced Automation
- Improves System Reliability and Uptime
- Builds Confidence in Safety Design
What Do ISO 13849 / IEC 62061 Cover?
Safety Function Definition
Specifies how safety functions are identified, documented, and linked to risk assessment results.
Performance Level / SIL Determination
Defines required reliability targets: • PL (a–e) under ISO 13849 • SIL (1–3) under IEC 62061
Control System Architecture
Covers system structure, redundancy, diagnostics, and fault detection.
Verification and Validation
Requires testing, calculations, and documentation to prove safety functions meet required performance.
FAQs
Both standards address safety-related control systems. ISO 13849 uses Performance Levels (PL) and is commonly applied to a wide range of machinery, while IEC 62061 uses Safety Integrity Levels (SIL) and is often used for more complex, software-driven systems.
Neither standard is legally mandatory on its own, but both are widely recognized and expected by regulators and safety auditors as acceptable methods for demonstrating functional safety compliance.
ISO 13849 is typically preferred for simpler or mixed-technology systems involving mechanical, electrical, or pneumatic components. IEC 62061 is more suitable for complex, programmable, or software-intensive control systems.
Performance Levels (PL a–e) and Safety Integrity Levels (SIL 1–3) define the required reliability of a safety function. Higher levels indicate a lower probability of dangerous failure.
Responsibility lies with machinery manufacturers, system integrators, and any organization that designs or modifies safety-related control systems.
Non-compliant systems increase the risk of dangerous failures, regulatory penalties, failed audits, and legal liability. They may also require costly redesigns or system shutdowns.