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Defining functional safety in today's systems
Functional safety is about reducing the risks of simple and complex systems, such that they function safely in the event there is an electrical or electronic malfunction. As more products incorporate complex microelectronics and software into their design, it is becoming increasingly challenging for quality and safety engineers to assess and implement functional safety at the system level. A few examples of this include:
Navigating Complexities of Functional Safety
Certification allows individuals to showcase their specialized knowledge, credibility and expertise in safe product design and development. Additionally, certified professionals can attempt eXpert level certification after proving five years of relevant work experience in the field and completing a UL Solutions audit of competency.
How UL Solutions helps shape the functional safety landscape
UL Solutions is dedicated to helping customers navigate the complex technical and regulatory challenges of today’s functional safety landscape. With our extensive certification expertise and holistic approach to safety engineering and assessment, we can help customers identify, specify and determine the functional safety of products and systems to key standards and ratings.
Solutions serving critical business needs
Benefits of working with UL Solutions for automotive and industrial functional safety
Building on our safety science and engineering expertise in many different functional safety domains — including automation and machinery, signaling and alarm systems, medical devices, automotive, autonomous vehicles, lighting and appliances — we provide customers with a single global partner for all safety challenges and specific market needs.
Manufacturers, system integrators and suppliers around the world are able to take advantage of the full depth of our services, bundling traditional UL Solutions product safety investigations with our functional safety assessments for greater project efficiencies and speed to market.
Whatever the need or challenge, we can help determine the best assessment process for specific products, based on the reasons for conducting a functional safety assessment and/or a product’s intended use.
Some European directives require a functional safety evaluation of specific products. Trade unions and regulatory bodies such as the U.S. OSHA require or encourage a functional safety evaluation in addition to a traditional safety evaluation. Insurers also may require a functional safety evaluation before a customer installs equipment in a workplace and may provide discounted premiums to customers who use products that have been evaluated for functional safety. We are expertly qualified to help customers address these unique requirements and can help reinforce a point of differentiation in the marketplace through the use of the UL Mark, one of the most recognized symbols in the world.
UL Marks for functional safety are available as a global, U.S., Canadian and European designation. We are United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited and a Notified Body (NB) for the (EU) Machinery Directive. Our functional safety Marks puts the safety rating — such as the SIL or PL — directly with our Marks, making it easier for users and interested parties to understand exactly what and how the product and/or function has been certified.
Expertise in functional safety standards:
ISO 21448
IEC 61508
ISO 13849
UL 1998
UL 991
ISO/SAE 21434
ISO 25119
ISO 19014
UL 4600
Areas of functional safety expertise
Functional safety resources
Benefits of Integrating Functional Safety and Cybersecurity
Functional Safety: Safer Products and Market Advantages
Benefits of Functional Safety Certification in Hazardous Locations (HazLoc)
Next-Generation Safety Strategies
Navigate the Complexities of Functional Safety and Cybersecurity
Functional Safety of Electronics and Software used in Energy Storage Products
Functional Safety and Autonomy Safety Assessments
Product Sourcing and Certifications Database
myUL® Client Portal
Functional safety news
UL Solutions Achieves ANSI Accreditation for Functional and Autonomy Safety Certification Schemes
UL 4600 Edition 3 Updates Incorporate Autonomous Trucking
ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accreditation
Functional safety personnel certification programs
UL Certified Functional Safety Professional (UL-CFSP)
UL Certified Functional Safety eXpert (UL-CFSX)
Functional safety builds trust
UL Solutions provides expert independent safety assessments, audits and certification. We can assess both functional safety and autonomous safety, as well as provide resources, training and certification programs across a variety of disciplines and safety standards.
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