Safety Software Validation
Functional and regulatory verification of safety functions on PLCs and programmable systems
Safety software validation transforms specifications into documented evidence
In industrial automation systems, the development of safety software is not sufficient to guarantee that safety functions operate correctly under real operating conditions. Implementation errors, inconsistencies between requirements and programmed logic, or a lack of traceability can compromise regulatory compliance and the overall reliability of the system. Safety software validation enables a structured verification that safety functions have been designed, implemented and tested in compliance with applicable standards.
When it is required
This service is indicated when:
- Safety functions managed by PLCs or safety relays are present;
- Compliance with standards EN ISO 13849, EN IEC 62061 or IEC 61508 is required;
- Consistency between risk assessment, specifications and implemented software needs to be verified;
- Objective evidence is required for compliance, audit or CE marking purposes.
How the activity is carried out
Validation is performed according to a structured methodological approach based on the V-model, and includes the following phases:
- Safety requirements analysis: review of the functional requirements of safety functions, identification of required levels (PLr or SIL) and verification of traceability between risk assessment, specifications and software implementation.
- Preliminary software verification: analysis of programmed logic (Ladder, FBD, ST), verification of correct parameterisation of safety hardware, control of the use of certified libraries and correct implementation of the specified safety functions.
- Software lifecycle control: verification of version management, change traceability and alignment of the software lifecycle with the practices and requirements of the applicable standards.
- Tests, simulations and functional testing: execution of functional tests on site, verification of safety device installation, testing of interlocking logic, verification of stopping times and robustness tests, including the correct management of faults and restarts.
What we deliver
- Preliminary verification report indicating any changes required before on-site testing;
- Complete validation report, including regulatory checklists and test records;
- Documented evidence of any non-conformities and recommendations for their resolution.
