BS EN ISO 13849-2-2012 PDF

Full title and description

BS EN ISO 13849-2:2012 — Safety of machinery — Safety-related parts of control systems — Part 2: Validation. This document specifies procedures, methods and record‑keeping for the validation (by analysis and by testing) of safety functions, the category achieved and the performance level (PL) achieved by safety‑related parts of control systems (SRP/CS) designed in accordance with ISO 13849‑1.

Abstract

ISO 13849‑2:2012 provides detailed guidance and mandatory procedures to confirm that a designed SRP/CS meets its specified safety function and achieves the claimed category and performance level. The standard covers validation planning, analytical techniques, test procedures (including test sample sizes and measurement uncertainty), error lists, documentation of validation results and the validation record. Informative annexes give technology‑specific guidance (mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical) and examples to support practical validation activities.

General information

• Status: Published; in force but under formal revision (international draft work in progress as of 2026).
• Publication date: October 2012 (Edition 2, commonly cited as 2012‑10; often referenced with an effective date in late 2012).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); adopted as EN ISO and published nationally (e.g., BSI as BS EN ISO 13849‑2:2012).
• ICS / categories: 13.110 — Safety of machinery / functional safety of machine control systems.
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2012) — BS EN ISO 13849‑2:2012.
• Number of pages: Approximately 79 pages (typical ISO pagination for the 2012 edition; some national publications may show slight variations).

Scope

The standard specifies the procedures and conditions to be followed for validation, by analysis and by testing, of: (a) the specified safety functions; (b) the category achieved; and (c) the performance level achieved by safety‑related parts of control systems (SRP/CS) designed in accordance with ISO 13849‑1. It is applicable to SRP/CS implemented with mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical technologies and gives guidance where additional requirements for programmable electronic systems may apply (in conjunction with ISO 13849‑1 and relevant IEC standards).

Key topics and requirements

• Validation plan and validation record: mandatory documentation of scope, methods, assumptions, tests and conclusions.
• Analytical validation techniques: FMEA/FMECA, FMEDA, reliability data usage and calculation checks to substantiate MTTF_d and diagnostic coverage claims.
• Testing procedures: functional tests, environmental and durability tests, sampling requirements, measurement uncertainty and pass/fail criteria.
• Error lists: general and technology‑specific lists of common faults to be considered during validation.
• Assessment of category and achieved Performance Level (PL): verification that design assumptions and calculations match implemented SRP/CS behaviour under faults.
• Consideration of common‑cause failures (CCF), diagnostics and diagnostic coverage (DC), and appropriate measures to limit systematic and random faults.
• Technology‑specific annexes and examples for mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical components and subsystems.
• Guidance on revalidation after modifications, maintenance or changes in operating conditions.

Typical use and users

ISO 13849‑2:2012 is used by machine designers, OEMs, integrators and functional safety engineers to plan and perform validation of safety functions prior to machine commissioning. Certification bodies, test laboratories and notified bodies use it to assess compliance. Maintenance and safety managers use the validation record for change control, periodic revalidation and evidence during audits or incident investigations.

Related standards

Key related documents include ISO 13849‑1 (Part 1: General principles for design), ISO 12100 (risk assessment and risk reduction), IEC 61508 (functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety‑related systems) and sector or technology standards such as IEC 62061 where applicable. National and regional adoptions include EN ISO 13849‑2 and the BSI adoption BS EN ISO 13849‑2:2012.

Keywords

Validation; SRP/CS; safety‑related parts of control systems; Performance Level (PL); category; MTTF_d; DC_avg; diagnostic coverage; common‑cause failure (CCF); FMEA; FMEDA; functional testing; machinery safety.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 13849‑2:2012 (adopted as BS EN ISO 13849‑2:2012) is the part of the ISO 13849 series that defines how to validate, by analysis and testing, safety functions and the claimed category and performance level of safety‑related parts of control systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers validation planning, analytical and test methods, error lists, documentation and records, test sample and uncertainty considerations, technology‑specific guidance (mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical) and guidance on revalidation after changes.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Machine designers, OEMs, functional safety engineers, integrators, test labs, certification bodies and maintenance/safety managers who must demonstrate and document that safety functions achieve their intended levels of performance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2012 edition remains the published edition and was confirmed in subsequent ISO reviews, but the standard has been formally flagged for revision. As of early 2026 a Draft International Standard (ISO/DIS 13849‑2) is under development to align Part 2 with the newer ISO 13849‑1:2023; users should check the national standards body for the latest adoption status and planned replacement timing.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 2 of the ISO 13849 series. Part 1 (ISO 13849‑1) covers general design principles; other related technical reports and national/adopted parts provide guidance and calculation methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Validation, SRP/CS, Performance Level (PL), category, MTTF_d, diagnostic coverage (DC), FMEA/FMEDA, common‑cause failure (CCF), machinery safety.