IEC 61508 is the international foundation standard for the functional safety of electrical, electronic and programmable electronic safety-related systems. It provides a structured framework for managing safety across the lifecycle, helping organisations to reduce risk, support compliance and develop safety-critical systems more systematically. Relevant across industries, ranging from industrial automation and process engineering to machinery and building technology, IEC 61508 plays an important role wherever system failures could lead to hazards.
As safety-related systems become more complex, organisations need a consistent way to identify hazards, define safety requirements and manage risk across the lifecycle. IEC 61508 provides this framework and serves as the basis for functional safety practices across a wide range of industries. For organisations developing, integrating or evaluating safety-related systems, understanding IEC 61508 is important not only for technical quality, but also for compliance, risk reduction and stakeholder confidence.
This is why TÜV SÜD offers IEC 61508 training as part of its Functional Safety Certification Programme (FSCP), helping professionals build practical understanding and a recognised pathway to certification.
Functional safety fundamentals
Gain a solid introduction to the core principles, concepts and purpose of functional safety.
Clear understanding of IEC 61508
Learn the key terminology, structure and logic of IEC 61508 and how its requirements fit together.
Practical application skills
Use practical examples to understand how to apply the standard in development and assessment activities.
Correct interpretation of requirements
Learn how to read and interpret the standard correctly to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary rework.
Efficient navigation of the standard
Understand where to find relevant requirements and how to work with the standard more efficiently.
Current industry insights
Learn from guidance informed by ongoing standardisation work and current functional safety developments.
This module provides a structured overview of the key elements of functional safety according to IEC 61508. You will learn about the most important concepts, methods, and documentation requirements for developing and evaluating safety-related systems in compliance with standards.
This module provides a structured and practical overview of the hardware-related requirements of IEC 61508. You will gain an understanding of the relevant terms, development processes, and analytical methods for ensuring functional safety at the hardware level.
This module provides you with the key principles of standards-compliant software development in accordance with IEC 61508 – compact, practical, and directly applicable to your project.
This IEC 61508 training is part of TÜV SÜD’s Functional Safety Certification Programme (FSCP) and helps participants build the knowledge needed to progress towards recognised qualification levels in functional safety certification.
Conditions: 6 years of professional experience in the field of functional safety. This may be reduced by up to 2 years depending on educational qualifications, such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, plus proof of collaboration in at least 2 functional safety projects.
Conditions: Available on request.
The examination takes the form of a written test, lasts 3 hours, and applies to Levels 1 and 2. After successfully completing the examination, participants receive a certificate confirming their qualification at the chosen FSCP level. TÜV SÜD certificates do not have an expiry date.
Example speaker: Christian Dirmeier
Christian Dirmeier brings more than 20 years of experience in functional safety projects across the process industry, mechanical engineering and the evaluation of safety systems. He is a technical certifier for functional safety and industrial IT security, and Head of Working Group 32 Functional Safety, serving as Convenor of IECEE WG 32 Functional Safety. Since 2011, he has delivered training on IEC 61508, IEC 61511 and ISO 13849.
Note: Speakers may vary depending on availability, but all TÜV SÜD trainers are experienced and highly qualified.
There are no formal requirements for participation in the certification programme. However, basic knowledge of electronic systems development, whether in system architecture, hardware or software, is recommended to gain a practical and solid understanding of the content and context of IEC 61508.
For online participation, a laptop with camera is required.
IEC 61508 is important because it sets out the key principles and lifecycle requirements for achieving functional safety. It helps organisations identify and reduce risk, define safety requirements, apply appropriate development and verification measures, and take a systematic approach to safety-related systems.
IEC 61508 applies to electrical, electronic and programmable electronic safety-related systems used to perform safety functions. These may include systems used in industrial automation, process industries, machinery, building technology and other safety-critical applications.
IEC 61508 is a generic functional safety standard that applies across multiple industries. ISO 26262 is a sector-specific standard derived from IEC 61508 and focuses on the functional safety of electrical and electronic systems in road vehicles. In simple terms, IEC 61508 provides the general foundation, while ISO 26262 applies that framework to the automotive sector.
IEC 61508 is relevant to organisations and professionals involved in the specification, design, development, integration, verification, validation, operation or assessment of safety-related systems. This includes developers, testers, project managers, quality professionals, safety engineers and manufacturers working with safety-critical applications.
