Product Safety Starts with IEC 61508 Testing and Certification

Jan. 18, 2010 - PRLog -- NEWTOWN, CT — According to a poll by the Liberty Mutual Group, 61 percent of executives claim that for every $1 invested in workplace safety $3 is saved. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Office of Regulatory Affairs places that figure at $6 saved for every $1 invested.  In fact, OSHA fines prove workplace safety can be costly with serious safety violations ranging from $7,000 – $70,000 each for willful or repeated violations.

Failures in equipment safety and risk management processes have led to increased safety awareness for safety-certified electronics.  The international standard IEC 61508 and U.S.-born standards such as ANSI/ISA84 emphasize safety and underscore a vital need for credible, third-party certifications.

TÜVRheinland®, the leading provider of independent, third-party testing and certification services for global companies, has released a case study called “Product Safety: Compliance Testing and Certification”. The Product Safety case study highlights Moore Industries-International, Inc., a world leader in industrial process control technologies, and its success with TÜVRheinland’s third-party certification of the new STA Safety Trip Alarm to IEC 61508: Parts 1, 2 and 3 for single use in Safety Instrumented Systems up to SIL 2.  The Product Safety case study documents the complete experience of developing a Functional Safety product.

Moore Industries strategically chose TÜVRheinland to provide a third-party safety assessment and IEC 61508 certification for the STA. “It was integral to the product’s success that a highly reputable and internationally-renowned third-party agency document the safety and quality of the STA Safety Trip Alarm. TÜVRheinland was the best choice, considering the scope of the approvals process for the STA,” said Moore Industries Director of Engineering Tina Lockhart.

The Product Safety case study details the rigorous steps required to pass a TÜVRheinland safety assessment, and discusses the great benefits and value added to a product with TÜVRheinland’s certification. With TÜVRheinland’s third-party certification to IEC 61508, Moore Industries STA alarm follows best practices in the safety industry, and appeals to the best interest of end users.  

As the IEC 61508 standard has become more widely recognized and adopted by worldwide customers, end users are looking for products that have been designed to IEC 61508 from their initial concept.  Customers are demanding not only compliance to the standards but verification from an independent third-party agency such as TÜVRheinland.

“The Product Safety case study published by TÜVRheinland is an excellent resource, and truly validates the expertise of TÜVRheinland throughout the certification process. The case study demonstrates the importance and advantage of obtaining independent third-party approvals for safety products,” Lockhart said.

According to Sal Spada of ARC Advisory Group, a well-renowned automation products consultancy, “The bottom line is safety is good for business.”

To obtain a copy of “Product Safety: Compliance Testing and Certification”, please visit TÜVRheinland’s website at www.us.TÜV.com or call toll-free 1-TUV-RHEINLAND (1-888-743-4652).

About TÜVRheinland®
TÜVRheinland® delivers premier independent testing, assessment, and certification services to help companies gain access into global markets. Boasting an international network across six continents, the company’s in-country experts ease the path to compliance with cost-effective pricing and quick turnaround times. The $1.5 billion corporation is comprised of an international network of more than 13,300 employees in 61 countries and serves most industry sectors and markets worldwide. For more information, visit www.us.TÜV .com.

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TÜVRheinland® delivers premier independent testing, assessment, and certification services to help companies gain access into global markets.