Automotive functional safety according to ISO 26262

ISO 26262 is an international standard for automotive functional safety. It applies to electrical and electronic systems consisting of hardware and software components. This includes vehicle system, sub system, component, hardware elements, semiconductors, software elements, and software tools.

The standard is relevant for road vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and electric and hybrid vehicles. It is particularly relevant for vehicles equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), autonomous driving technologies, and other complex electronic systems.

ISO 26262 defines requirements for the safety relevant function of a system, as well as processes, methods, and software tools which are used within the development process. The standard ensures that the vehicle meets and maintains sufficient levels of safety throughout its lifecycle, from concept and design to production, operation, service, and decommissioning.

TÜV SÜD supports you to evaluate the safety of your vehicle’s electrical and electronic components. We address various aspects such as risk assessment, safety requirements, system design, verification, validation, and safety management.

The use of ISO 26262 for the safety assessment of electrical and electronic components in vehicles offers several key benefits for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers. The standard allows you to demonstrate due diligence and ensure the overall safety of your vehicle and its systems in compliance with ISO 26262.

Following a well-established, state-of-the-art safety standard reduces business risk and simplifies access to global markets by ensuring compliance with relevant international regulations.

It also minimises the risk of harm and increases market acceptance of your products. By precisely tailoring development and production processes, you can reduce costs, prevent costly product recalls, and avoid reputational damage.

TÜV SÜD is one of the world’s leading automotive functional safety experts. Our functional safety team has an unparalleled functional safety testing track record of more than 30 years. We have been involved in the development of the ISO 26262 standard and are an internationally accredited ISO 26262 testing body.

We are recognised as a trusted and independent partner, working with OEMs and automotive suppliers worldwide. Our globally recognised TÜV SÜD certification mark proves your conformity to the ISO 26262 standard.

TÜV SÜD’s global network of automotive functional safety experts is ready to support you with in-depth ISO 26262 knowledge, wherever you are based. We provide a comprehensive range of ISO 26262 functional safety assessments, testing, ISO 26262 certification, and training services throughout the automotive value chain.

Our comprehensive range of ISO 26262 services gives you a consistent framework for ensuring the functional safety of your vehicles in scope.

Training

We provide a complete range of programmes for your development teams to train and certify engineers as qualified ISO 26262 functional safety experts:

• Training according to ISO 26262:2018 by experienced coaches.
• Personal qualification programme (Functional Safety Certified Persons) to ensure reliable and legally compliant qualification.
• General training or company specific training, including in-house.
• Additional training with an insight into the relevant safety analyses methods of ISO 26262:2018 or in general methodology (e.g. for HARA, HAZOP, FMEA, FTA, FMEDA, DFA/FFI).
• Additional training for standards that are linked to the ISO 26262:2018 like the ISO 21448 (SOTIF) or ISO/SAE 21434 (automotive cybersecurity).

Potential analysis

• GAP analysis – To examine a product and the corresponding documentation, regarding the demands and requirements placed on them, and identify the gaps.
• SWOT analysis – To examine a process (based on the description) or documentation, regarding the demands and requirements placed on it, and to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Concept studies – To examine a documented functional concept regarding the demands and requirements placed on them. A concept study statement confirms that with subsequent adjustments conformity can be established.
• Technical feasibility studies – To check a documented, concrete technical realisation regarding the requirements and requests placed on it. In contrast to the concept study, specific technical design requirements and definitions, and fewer assumptions are considered.

Inspection services

Our experts work closely with your team to meet the requirements of the ISO 26262 standard. Our services include inspections accredited to ISO/IEC 17020 and ISO/IEC 17025 like:

• Plausibility check of the hazard analysis and risk assessment (HARA).
• Safety culture evaluation.
• Confirmation review of your safety concept.
• Audit of the management systems and functional safety processes.
• Evaluation of the confidence in the use of software tools.
• Audit of the production and downstream processes.
• Assessment of the products developed in the context of a respective item or system.
• Assessment of safety-related commercial-off-the-shelf (s/r COTS or SEooC).
• Document reviews / confirmation reviews / verification reviews of individual or all development documentation, in all project stages, and for all relevant work products.
• Check of system safety analyses (FMEA, FTA, DFA, among others).
• Assessment of hardware development, including processes and hardware analysis (probability/reliability analyses, FMEDA, FTA, among others).
• Assessment of software development, including processes and software analysis (CPA, FFI among others).
• Evaluation of software architecture and design analyses.
• Assessment of supplier management (including supplier selection processes, development interface agreements, other provisions required).

Testing services

Our experts and laboratories offer testing services, either accredited or based on the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. All testing services are listed and accepted by the inspection and certification bodies, and can therefore be used for inspection and certification services:

• Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing
• Electrical Safety Testing
• Environmental Testing
• Specific product testing

Certification services

We are accredited by DAkkS to perform ISO 26262 certification in compliance with ISO/IEC 17065 requirements. We also cover with our certification other related functional safety standards like IEC 61508, IEC 62061, and ISO 25119 for:

• Software – tools (including safety and creditworthiness check).
• Development processes (functional safety management and supporting processes).

These services, and DAkkS accredited certificates are according to and in compliance with ISO/IEC 17065 requirements:

• Products (systems, on item level, components, parts, elements).
• Software-tools (including safety and creditworthiness check).
• Processes (functional safety management and supporting processes).

QMS certification is usually pre-required and can also be provided by TÜV SÜD.

Homologation services

We are a Technical Service, designated by several approval authorities (including KBA, SNCH, NSAI, VCA, RDW, STA, VSCC and the Australian government). We offer technical reports, evaluation of e-annexes for complex electric/electronic systems, and Safety Management System (SMS) audits according to EU (VO) 2022/1426.