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What is the failure rate of SIL certification?
During the SIL certification process, a concept we often refer to is equipment failure rate, which is a core term in SIL certification. It can be said that without determining the failure rate, the SIL certification is incomplete and inadequate. So, what exactly is the concept of failure rate?
Firstly, to understand failure rate, we must know what is considered as failure. According to GB/T 20438.4 and also the definition in IEC61508, failure is "the termination of a functional unit's ability to perform a required function, or the operation of a functional unit in a non-required manner." A more intuitive understanding would be: normally, y = f(x), but upon failure, it becomes y ≠ f(x), where f() represents the function we have pre-set, and y represents our safety expectation. This also explains why the term 'function' is used for both mathematical functions and operational functions in English.
This statement might be too formal and not easily understood by the general public. So, speaking in layman's terms, it's like comparing to a lighting system. When this lighting system doesn't light up or fails to do so as per our set requirements, it's considered defective.
So said, you might all know that when a product doesn't function according to our set requirements, we can say it has failed. Then, what's the probability of this failure? That's the failure rate.
After understanding what a failure is, one can start categorizing types of failures. In the concept of functional safety, failures can be divided into two major categories based on their generation cause: systematic failure and random hardware failure. Among them, random hardware failure is the one that can be quantified. The calculation process of PFDavg is based on probabilistic analysis of random hardware failure.
In the SIL certification, our approach is to analyze the product's theoretical model and utilize the empirical data from its market sales to determine the product's failure rate. This information is then integrated with other parts of the SIL certification to form a comprehensive system, ensuring the reliable and safe execution of safety functions.

The significance of obtaining SIL certification for products
1. The cumulative impact of SIL certification on the product:
We guarantee the accuracy of the product's specific functions.
(2) Enhances product acceptance and recognition within the industry.
(3) Certified products enjoy higher safety, enhancing their competitive edge.
(4) Customers typically believe: Certified = Acknowledged = The.
2. The cumulative impact of SIL certification on the enterprise:
(1) Enhance corporate safety experience and proficiency.
(3) The company's R&D process is more standardized and verifiable.
(4) Enhanced safety measures are in place when an injury occurs.
(5) Throughout the certification process, ensure the company maintains a high level of R&D.
If a project, system, or product achieves SIL certification, its quality and safety are also recognized, enhancing the company's market competitiveness while greatly boosting customer confidence in the product. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain SIL certification for a product that significantly impacts life and property safety.

As the awareness of industrial accidents and their societal impact grows, more and more businesses are realizing the importance of safety.
In modern process industries, due to the complexity of processes and the multitude of equipment, a failure can have serious consequences for employees, the public, equipment, or the environment.
The SIL certification process involves helping companies fully leverage their good engineering practices and safety technologies (IEC61508 and IEC61511) to prevent the recurrence of industrial accidents. This is because these experiences and technologies are based on extensive practical experience and lessons learned.
With the issuance of the IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 series standards, a systematic functional safety assessment and testing process can effectively address this issue.

The SIL assessment covers the following content:
1. System Evaluation
Risk Analysis, categorized by reference to the risk chart (ASIL/SIL/PL)
Review of specifications and safety requirements
Concept and Design Analysis
– Verification and Confirmation
2. Software and Tool Assessment
– Testing of development tools and other communication protocols
Structural Analysis
3. Hardware Assessment
Probability Analysis
Failure Analysis
4. SIL Certification
Components and Systems SIL Certification
- Safety Process SIL Certification
- Granting of systems, semiconductor, development tools, and process testing symbols
5. Additional Services
Risk Tolerance and Risk Analysis
- Test and evaluate hardware and software for security during the development process
Conceptual Assessment (Initial Inspection)
Functional Safety Management (FSM)
Safety, reliability, and availability analysis
Qualified Assessment Meeting Relevant Safety Standards
These services are aimed at manufacturers of components, sub-systems, and systems for the automotive industry (including electric vehicles), elevators, power plants, machinery, and process sectors. They support compliance with due diligence obligations and ensure the correct application of the standard, contributing to improved safety levels and helping to minimize residual risks. Standards IEC61508 and more can be integrated into existing quality management systems in a beneficial manner. The enforcement of regulations and provisions within the standards provides a reliable foundation for decision-making, particularly regarding safety structures, testing procedures, and tools. Development outputs can be verified at an early stage, while also reducing development time and costs. Additionally, certification enhances the company's image and boosts its competitive position in the market.
SIL certification is a third-party evaluation, validation, and certification based on standards such as IEC 61508 (GB/T 20438), IEC 61511 (GB/T 21109), IEC 61513, IEC 13849-1, IEC 62061, and IEC 61800-5-2, assessing and confirming the Safety Integrity Level (SIL) or Performance Level (PL) of safety equipment. Functional safety certification primarily involves document management (FSM) assessments for the development process of safety equipment, hardware reliability calculations and evaluations, software evaluations, environmental testing, and EMC electromagnetic compatibility tests. SIL certification is divided into four levels: SIL1, SIL2, SIL3, and SIL4, encompassing both product and system levels, with SIL4 having the highest requirements.