ISO 26262

ISO 26262 is an internationally recognized functional safety standard specifically designed for electrical and electronic (E/E) systems within road vehicles. It is an adaptation of the primary functional safety standard, IEC 61508, tailored to the unique complexities and risks associated with the automotive industry.

It was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), specifically by the ISO Technical Committee 22, Subcommittee 32 (ISO/TC 22/SC 32), which focuses on electrical and electronic components and systems in road vehicles.

The first edition was published in 2011, the current (second) edition followed in December 2018, and a third edition is currently under development.

The core purpose of ISO 26262 is to ensure that E/E systems in cars, trucks, and other road vehicles are designed and implemented in a way that minimizes the risk of hazardous failures due to malfunctions.

In modern vehicles, E/E systems control everything from engine management and steering assistance to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving features. A malfunction in any of these systems could lead to severe consequences, including accidents or even fatalities.

ISO 26262 provides a rigorous framework for managing and mitigating these risks throughout the entire product lifecycle. By adhering to its guidelines, automotive manufacturers and their suppliers can demonstrate that their E/E systems meet stringent safety requirements, thereby building trust and ensuring the safety of occupants and other road users.

ISO 26262 requires tool qualification because software tools used to develop automotive E/E systems, such as compilers or model-based design environments can introduce undetected errors that impact safety. The standard ensures that such tools are evaluated and, if necessary, qualified to prevent faults from affecting safety-critical functions. This process helps maintain the integrity and reliability of the systems developed using those tools.

• While ISO 26262 is a voluntary industry standard, regulators and certification bodies often expect its principles to be followed in vehicles with safety-relevant E/E systems. It provides a structured framework for ensuring a high level of safety in system development.

• If you are a supplier (Tier 1 or below) or collaborate with OEMs, you’ll almost certainly be required to comply with ISO 26262 to do business. Most major automotive companies mandate it in their supplier agreements.

• In the event of an accident caused by a malfunction, non-compliance with ISO 26262 can expose you to liability, especially if it can be shown that following the standard would have prevented the issue.

• Following ISO 26262 increases customer trust, product quality, and safety assurance, making it a major differentiator in the industry.