What Is ISO 26262 Functional Safety Standard?

In the ever-evolving world of automotive technology, ensuring the safety and reliability of vehicles is paramount. As modern cars integrate more electronic systems and advanced driver assistance features, the need for robust safety frameworks becomes increasingly critical. This is where ISO 26262 comes into play. It is a key standard in automotive functional safety, and its relevance has grown with the industry’s push toward autonomous and electric vehicles. 

What is ISO 26262?

ISO 26262 is an international standard for functional safety in the automotive industry. It was first introduced in 2011 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it addresses the risk posed by the increasingly complex electronic systems (E/E systems) used in modern vehicles. The main objective of ISO 26262 is to ensure that potential hazards caused by malfunctions in these systems are minimized or mitigated to a level that guarantees vehicle safety. 

Functional safety, in this context, refers to the concept of making sure that systems respond correctly to both expected and unexpected inputs, reducing the likelihood of accidents due to failures. ISO 26262 covers the entire lifecycle of automotive systems, from the concept phase through production, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning. 

The standard applies to safety-related systems that include one or more electronic components, with a particular focus on the interaction between hardware and software, ensuring they function as intended to avoid hazardous situations. 

How does ISO 26262 differ from other automotive standards? 

There are various automotive standards designed to ensure different aspects of vehicle performance, safety, and quality. Two prominent examples are ISO 9001 quality management standard and the IATF 16949 standard for automotive production and relevant service parts. So, how does ISO 26262 stand apart from these standards? 

Scope and focus:

 While other standards like ISO 9001 focus on the overall quality management systems or organizations, ISO 26262 zeroes in on functional safety. This involves a deep dive into the design, verification, and validation of E/E systems that impact the vehicle’s safety. 

Hazard analysis and risk assessment:

 ISO 26262 introduces a structured process for hazard analysis and risk assessment specific to automotive systems. It establishes Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASILs) that determine the required safety measures based on the probability of occurrence and the severity of potential hazards. 

Lifecycle approach:

 Unlike other standards that may focus on production or manufacturing, ISO 26262 encompasses the entire lifecycle of a product. It begins at the concept phase and extends through development, testing, and decommissioning, ensuring safety across all stages. 

Is ISO 26262 required?

While ISO 26262 is not legally mandated by any specific country, it has become widely accepted as the de facto safety standard in the automotive industry. Given the increasing complexity of modern vehicles and the rise of autonomous driving systems, adherence to ISO 26262 is seen as essential by many OEMs and suppliers. 

Adopting ISO 26262 ensures that manufacturers and their suppliers mitigate risks associated with electronic systems, reducing liability in the event of a system failure. In Europe, compliance with ISO 26262 is often a requirement for doing business with leading automakers. Moreover, in an industry that is increasingly regulated and litigious, demonstrating compliance with a recognized safety standard like ISO 26262 is crucial for maintaining credibility and customer trust. 

How does ISO 26262 work?

ISO 26262 is structured into 12 parts, each covering a different aspect of the automotive lifecycle, ranging from management and support processes to the development and production of safety-related systems. Here’s the breakdown of how it works: 

Hazard analysis and risk assessment

The first step involves identifying potential hazards that could arise due to malfunctions of the E/E systems. Each hazard is then analyzed in terms of severity, exposure, and controllability. This analysis helps determine the Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) required for each system or component. 

Safety goals and requirements

Once the ASIL levels are established, the next step is to define specific safety goals and requirements that must be met to mitigate the identified hazards. 

Development phases

ISO 26262 provides guidelines for hardware and software development, ensuring that safety is considered during the design and implementation stages. This includes requirements for architectural design, coding standards, and testing strategies. 

Verification and validation

Rigorous testing is conducted to verify that the system meets the safety requirements. This includes unit testing, integration testing, and system testing. Additionally, safety validation ensures that the system performs reliably under real-world conditions. 

Functional safety management

A core aspect of ISO 26262 is ensuring that functional safety is managed throughout the lifecycle of the vehicle’s E/E systems. This includes establishing a functional safety plan, defining, roles and responsibilities, and conducting audits to ensure compliance. 

Production and operation

Once the system is deployed, ISO 26262 mandates continuous monitoring and updates to ensure that safety standards are maintained throughout the vehicle’s operational life. 

How has ISO 26262 evolved?

It was first published in 2011 as a response to the growing complexity of automotive systems. The second edition was released in 2018, reflecting significant changes in the automotive landscape, particularly the rise of electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and more sophisticated E/E systems. 

Key updates in the 2018 edition include: 

• Expanding the standard to cover motorcycles, trucks, buses, and trailers. 
• Including requirements for semiconductors, which have become a critical component in safety systems. 
• Adding guidelines for functional safety in the context of autonomous driving, reflecting the industry’s shift toward automated and connected vehicles. 

What are the challenges of ISO 26262?

While ISO 26262 provides a clear framework for ensuring functional safety, its implementation comes with several challenges. 

Complexity of compliance

Achieving ISO 26262 compliance can be a resource-intensive process. The standard requires a high level of documentation, extensive testing, and ongoing management throughout the lifecycle, which can be difficult for companies with limited resources. 

Interpreting ASIL levels

Determining the appropriate ASIL levels for each system or component can be complex and subjective, often leading to debates between engineers and safety managers. 

Integration with other standards

In a global supply chain, companies may need to adhere to multiple standards, such as ISO 26262, IATF 16949, and ISO 9001. Integrating these standards can be challenging, especially for smaller suppliers. 

Cost

The costs associated with achieving and maintaining ISO 26262 compliance can be substantial, particularly for companies that need to overhaul existing processes or develop new testing infrastructure. 

What are the benefits of ISO 26262?

Despite the challenges, there are significant benefits to adhering to ISO 26262 requirements: 

Improved safety

The most obvious benefit is the increased safety of vehicles. By following a rigorous safety process, manufacturers can minimize the risk of accidents due to system failures. 

Regulatory alignment 

As governments worldwide increase regulations on automotive safety, ISO 26262 provides a framework for meeting these requirements. 

Risk mitigation

Adopting ISO 26262 helps manufacturers reduce the legal and financial risks associated with product liability claims due to system failures. 

Achieving ISO 26262 Compliance

Achieving ISO 26262 compliance can be a complex process, but tools like Codebeamer help streamline the management of safety-critical systems. Codebeamer provides end-to-end traceability, risk management, and collaboration features tailored for automotive development. With Codebeamer, companies can manage the entire lifecycle – from requirements capture, hazard analysis, and risk assessment, to validation, verification, and audits – ensuring adherence to ISO 26262. 

Codebeamer simplifies compliance by automating documentation, maintaining traceability between all work items, and offering preconfigured templates for ISO 26262. This reduces the administrative burden, ensures that teams stay aligned on safety goals, and accelerates the certification process. By using Codebeamer, automotive teams can manage functional safety processes more efficiently, minimize human error, and ensure continuous compliance throughout product development. 

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