SIL Certification

CMSIL

SIL Certification Certification

Safety Integrity Level (SIL) is defined as a relative level of risk-reduction provided by a safety function, or to specify a target level of risk reduction. In (somewhat) simple terms, SIL is a measurement of performance or probability of failure on demand (PFD) required for a Safety Instrumented Function (SIF) within a Safety Instrumented System (SIS). All organisational and technical risk reduction measures act as a counterweight to the risk potential. The values SIL 1 to SIL 4 (SIL = Safety Integrity Level) are derived from the risk analysis. The greater the risk, the more reliable risk reduction measures must be implemented and, consequently, the greater the reliability the components used must exhibit. Typically, as the SIL level increases, the cost and complexity of the hardware/system also increase.

What is SIL Certification?

The SIL certificate is a functional safety certificate that demonstrates the conformity of a product or process with the IEC 61508 international standards. The certificate is issued by a third party to ensure compliance with the requirements for independence imposed by IEC 61508-1 in order to reach the highest SIL 3 and 4 levels, for which the intervention of a division or an independent body is required. (SIL) is defined as a relative level of risk-reduction provided by a safety function, or to specify a target level of risk reduction. SIL is a measurement of performance required for a Safety Instrumented Function. A SIL is determined based on a number of quantitative factors in combination with qualitative factors such as development process and safety life cycle management Safety Integrity Level Used FOUR ways: 1. To establish risk reduction requirements 2. Probabilistic limits for hardware random failure 3. Architectural constraints 4. To establish systematic capability .
CMSIL

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SIL Certification

The SILis a measure of the reliability of the safety function performing to specification. This saves management from having to understand the technical aspects of SIL, while allowing them to discuss their concerns . The SIL requirements for hardware safety integrity are based on a probabilistic analysis of the device. The concept of ‘dangerous failure’ must be rigorously defined for the system in question, normally in the form of requirement constraints whose integrity is verified throughout system development. The actual targets required vary depending on the likelihood of a demand, the complexity of the device(s), and types of redundancy used. SIL certified equipment is widely used for safety-related applications in oil & gas and chemical process plants . Product design Design with a view to SIL of an industrial component involves the technical and manufacturing elements of the product to be certified, improving their every aspect. International value The SIL certificate is valid at the international level and represents a direct means of demonstrating the greater reliability of the product to its user. Product upgrade and competitiveness SIL certification represents a powerful means of differentiation from similar non-certified competing products, and therefore allows one to reach new customers and open new markets.

Start your journey to SIL Certification certification

Contact our team today to receive a free no-obligation competitive quotation from our dedicated business development team. We will devise a comprehensive quote that will align with your occupational health and safety requirements. We tailor our quotes to meet your needs, and we support a range of ISO standards, including ISO 27001, ISO 9001 and Cyber Essentials. Learn more about Certification Europe’s accreditations, discover our client testimonials and find out more about working with us.

The Certification Journey

Certification Achieved

Successful certification is communicated to the client. Certificates are issued.

Certification Review & Decision

The organisations files are reviewed by an independent and impartial panel and the certification decision is mad

Recommendation for Certification

At this point in the process we review any corrective actions taken to address findings raised at Stage 1 & 2. Certification may be recommended.

Stage two

The second assessment determines the effectiveness of the system, and seeks to confirm that the management system is implemented and operational.

Stage One

The initial assessment determines if the mandatory requirements of the standard are being met and if the management system is capable of proceeding to Stage 2.

Certification Achieved

Successful certification is communicated to the client. Certificates are issued.

Certification Review & Decision

The organisations files are reviewed by an independent and impartial panel and the certification decision is mad

Recommendation for Certification

At this point in the process we review any corrective actions taken to address findings raised at Stage 1 & 2. Certification may be recommended.

Stage two

The second assessment determines the effectiveness of the system, and seeks to confirm that the management system is implemented and operational.

Stage One

The initial assessment determines if the mandatory requirements of the standard are being met and if the management system is capable of proceeding to Stage 2.

SIL Certification FAQ's

The SIL level required for a safety instrumented system is determined by various factors, including the severity of potential consequences, the likelihood of hazardous events, the effectiveness of risk reduction measures, and regulatory requirements. These factors are considered during the risk assessment and design phases to establish the appropriate SIL level.

Some common challenges during SIL certification include inadequate documentation, insufficient understanding of SIL concepts, and difficulty in quantifying risk reduction measures. These challenges can be overcome through thorough training, engaging with experienced SIL consultants, conducting detailed risk assessments, and ensuring proper documentation throughout the certification process.

SIL certification can be obtained for both new safety instrumented systems and existing systems. For existing systems, a SIL assessment is conducted to evaluate the current performance and determine if any modifications or upgrades are needed to meet the required SIL level. This process helps improve the safety integrity of legacy systems.

SIL certification not only ensures the reliability of safety instrumented systems but also fosters a culture of safety consciousness within an organization. It promotes a systematic approach to managing risks, encourages continuous improvement in safety practices, and enhances the overall safety performance of the organization.

While ATEX and IECEx certifications focus on equipment used in explosive atmospheres, SIL certification specifically evaluates the performance of safety instrumented systems. SIL certification assesses the functional safety aspects of systems to achieve the necessary risk reduction, whereas ATEX and IECEx focus on equipment compliance in hazardous areas.

Benefits of SIL certification include increased safety, reduced risk of accidents, compliance with industry standards, improved reliability of safety systems, enhanced confidence in the safety of operations, and better regulatory compliance.

SIL certification is a process where a system, product, or service is assessed against the requirements of the IEC 61508 or IEC 61511 standards to determine its Safety Integrity Level. SIL is a measure of the reliability of a safety instrumented system (SIS) in reducing the risk of a hazardous event.

There are four SIL levels: SIL 1, SIL 2, SIL 3, and SIL 4, with SIL 4 being the highest level of integrity and SIL 1 being the lowest. The SIL level required for a safety instrumented system is determined based on the risk reduction needed to achieve the desired level of safety.

SIL certification is aimed at all products intended to be integrated into one or more safety functions, such as, for example, sensors, mechanical valves, complex measurement systems, logic firmware solvers or embedded software. It is possible to certify either a product before launching it on the market or a product that is already on the market. In any case, but in particular, for products that are already commercialized, the certificate is not retroactive: it covers items manufactured after it is issued (in the case of a type certificate) or the remaining lifetime of the product (in the case of individual certificate).

The certification process starts with the definition of the objectives in terms of functional safety and continues by following the steps reported in the certification scheme. The certification process is customized according to the complexity of the product or process under consideration.