4. Conclusion

The safety of systems programmed into the design of machines and work equipment is strongly taken into account by standardization, with working groups regularly incorporating the results of major work developed by specialists in the field. A number of standards can be considered when designing a safety-related system.

At the end of the 1980s, the safety of machine control systems was developed in the harmonized EN 954-1 standard, which lays down requirements applicable to all types of technology (pneumatic, hydraulic, electromechanical and electronic). It is an important component of the European standards framework established in support of the Machinery Directive. At the same time, the international generic standard IEC 61508, specific to the safety of systems based on electrical, electronic and programmable electronic technologies, has been launched, without...