Pressure testing transmitter rack (photo: DNV GL)

Following the launch of DNV GL’s service specification for Functional Safety Certification, which can be applied to all electronic or programmable systems with safety functions, the company has issued its first Functional Safety Certificate against DNVGL-SE-0141 to Rockwell Automation Ltd.

The certificate demonstrates compliance to IEC 61508 and IEC 61511. IEC 61508 is the international standard for electrical, electronic and programmable electronic safety related systems. It sets out the requirements for ensuring that systems are designed, implemented, operated and maintained to provide the required safety integrity level (SIL) against a defined unwanted hazardous event. IEC 61511 specifically covers the requirement for process industries.

Joe Quinn, Director of the Global Oil & Gas Solutions Business, Rockwell Automation says, “The DNV GL certification of our life-cycle execution approach provides our customers with reassurance that Rockwell Automation is committed to providing the highest standard for functional safety solutions whilst also achieving the lowest total cost of ownership over the solution life time.”

The international standards for Functional Safety, such as IEC 61508, IEC 62061 and IEC 61511, do not define certification as a mandatory requirement. However, a demonstration of compliance is necessary, and certification is increasingly being seen as a more beneficial way of showing compliance through an independent assessment by a third party.

Andrew Derbyshire, Principal Safety Engineer with DNV GL UK Ltd adds, “The key advantages to certifying a product, system or process against the International Standards for Functional Safety are that it is increasingly being seen as a contractual requirement. Certification gives a competitive edge and helps to develop more rigorous design and development processes through a third party periodic assessment. However, key to the process is that it gives reassurance to stakeholders.”

Hari Vamadevan, DNV GL Regional Manager UK & West Africa, Oil & Gas concludes, “The implementation of effective functional safety is invaluable in ensuring that safety critical control and protective systems are appropriately specified, designed, installed and maintained. As the first recipients of this new certification, Rockwell Automation Ltd understands that good practice in this field can help optimise test regimes, increase plant availability and reduce maintenance workload, and we look forward to certifying more companies in the future.”

Tags: DNV GL, Rockwell Automation Ltd