Standards And Conformity Assessment For Safety Related Programmable And Electronic Systems (PES s) (IEC 1508)

Abstract

Industry faces many challenges and unremitting pressures within increasingly competitive markets. There are increasing regulatory demands to address risks to safety and the environment in a world where public concern for safety is rising. A consistent approach to the use of new technology and standards is essential to avoid the potential confusion of different approaches to safety being followed by different application sectors. Programmable Electronics, is a technology that if properly used in the implementation of safety related systems, supported by internationally acceptable standards, with supporting conformity assessment schemes offers significant benefits to industry in meeting its challenges, whilst maintaining and improving safety. Current assessment schemes tend to be related to the hardware product, and not the software. Schemes like IS0 9001/TickIT, Bootstrap, SPICE, SEI CMM are software process assessment schemes, not specific product schemes. Industry in Europe specifically, and industry in North America are warming to IEC 1508. TUV and INERIS (France) are currently developing product conformity assessment and certification schemes against this standard. UL in the US may be doing the same. A number of companies in the United States and Canada are developing products to conform to generic IEC 1508 standards on safety, for systems containing hardware and software, i.e., programmable electronic systems (PESs), being developed by IEC SC65A in this global economy. However, national and sector specific regulations and licensing pressures may have a significant influence on the success or otherwise of conformity assessment schemes. This workshop aims to bring together people interested in participating in an active debate on conformity assessment schemes with regard to: 0 0 Cross sector or sector specific? Advantages and disadvantages? What are industries' requirements for conformity assessment? What are the perceived benefits, what are the drawbacks? Will such schemes succeed in today's global market? Will conformity assessment schemes support or hinder industry restructuring? The role and acceptability of conformity assessment alongside industry supply chain restructuring? There is a need to foster a wide ranging debate with participation from academia, research and government organizations, and industry. Experience from specific industrial sectors such as transportation, power generation, medical systems, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, offshore operations, defense, avionics and aerospace is particularly welcome.