On this page
- Buy IEC 61508-1:2010, Edition 2
- Which edition is published, and what is changing?
- What is the purpose of Part 1?
- How Part 1 fits into the seven-part series
- Do you need IEC 61508 or a sector standard?
- IEC and EN references: match the contract
- Keep other safety and security work in the brief
- Example: purchasing references for a safety controller
- Before you order
- Frequently asked questions
- Related electrical standards guidance
Publication and development status checked on 7 October 2026. A third-edition project is progressing, so recheck the catalogue before a new long-term assignment.
Which edition is published, and what is changing?
The IEC publisher record identifies IEC 61508-1:2010 as Edition 2.0, published on 30 April 2010. Genorma lists the 2010 second edition as published.
The separate third-edition project record is still marked in development. Its recorded stage changed to 50.20 on 2 October 2026, associated with proof preparation or initiation of an FDIS ballot. A draft project description mentioning 2026 is not confirmation that a 2026 standard has been published.
For a current order, match the agreed published reference. For a project extending into a future edition, ask the technical lead how publication monitoring and any transition review will be handled. Assign an owner to that task; do not base the order on an assumed release date.
What is the purpose of Part 1?
IEC describes Part 1 as addressing the use of electrical, electronic and programmable electronic systems to carry out safety functions. It provides a general foundation for sector-specific standards and for development where a relevant sector standard does not exist. See the public scope summary.
The practical purchasing distinction is between the safety function and the equipment's ordinary operating purpose. Write down what must happen to reduce risk, which system performs that function and who is responsible for its assessment. These questions help the team define the document set before it orders a familiar standard number.
How Part 1 fits into the seven-part series
| Part | Subject | Purchasing question |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | General requirements | Who owns the overall project approach? |
| Part 2 | Requirements for E/E/PE safety-related systems | Who develops and assesses the system or hardware? |
| Part 3 | Software requirements | Does the assignment include safety-related software? |
| Part 4 | Definitions and abbreviations | Does everyone use the same terminology? |
| Part 5 | Examples of methods for determining safety integrity levels | What supporting material does the risk team need? |
| Part 6 | Guidance for applying Parts 2 and 3 | Would application guidance help the assigned team? |
| Part 7 | Overview of techniques and measures | Which specialists need the supporting reference? |
The part structure is described in the IEC functional safety brochure. Use the table to allocate access across the team. It is not a substitute for checking the normative references and full project requirements.
Do you need IEC 61508 or a sector standard?
Identify the application before buying a complete set. IEC 61511-1 addresses safety instrumented systems in the process industry and is described as a sector implementation of IEC 61508. IEC 62061 concerns machinery safety-related control systems within the IEC 61508 framework.
A component developer, machinery integrator and process-plant operator may therefore need different document sets. Ask the assessor to identify the assignment's primary standard and the IEC 61508 references needed to support it. Preserve the distinction between developing a device and using that device in a complete safety function.
IEC and EN references: match the contract
Genorma lists EN 61508-1:2010 as a separate European publication, with its status confirmed on 6 July 2026. The same record also points to a successor project in development. Choose the exact international, European or national reference named in the assessment brief.
Matching the main number and year does not settle the purchase. Confirm the required publication, language and document control reference with the team, particularly when a customer contract specifies an EN or national adoption.
Keep other safety and security work in the brief
Specify which questions the functional safety assignment must answer, and allocate other work explicitly. Ask who will address electrical product safety, mechanical hazards, installation constraints and cybersecurity. For industrial control-system security, the IEC 62443-3-3 publisher record identifies a separate standard concerning system security requirements and security levels.
Also ask what any supplier certificate covers: the assessed device, firmware version, conditions of use and supporting documentation. Obtain the assessor's view on how that evidence will be used in your application. A procurement description should explain the claim being checked, rather than rely on a broad “SIL certified” label.
Example: purchasing references for a safety controller
A manufacturer is developing a programmable safety controller for supply to machine builders. Purchasing receives a request for Part 1 alone. The project manager first identifies the hardware team, firmware team, functional safety lead and external assessor. They agree which activities each team will perform and which parts of IEC 61508 they need to consult.
The document order is then expanded according to that agreed scope, with licensed access for the relevant users. The customer-facing team records that machine builders must define and assess their own applications under the applicable machinery framework. Because a new edition is in development, the manager also schedules a publisher-status review before the next major project milestone. This creates a clear purchasing rationale without pretending that ordering a standard completes the engineering assessment.
Before you order
- Describe the safety function and your role. Distinguish device development, system integration and operation.
- Agree the main assessment standard. Check sector-specific documents and contractual references.
- List required parts and editions. Ask each technical owner which documents the assignment needs.
- Plan licensed access. Check whether one user, several specialists or a shared library needs access.
- Control updates. Record the published edition and name the person monitoring the third-edition project.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 edition obsolete just because of its age?
The checked merchant record still lists Edition 2 as published, while the successor is in development. Check publication status and the assessment's agreed reference rather than deciding by age alone.
Does Part 1 include the other six parts?
No. The linked purchase is specifically Part 1. Compare a separately offered set with the team's needs and existing licensed library before ordering.
Can I buy a published 2026 third edition from this link?
No. The purchase link identifies IEC 61508-1:2010 ED2. The separate third-edition record was still a development project when checked.
Does “SIL 3” tell me which document to buy?
It is not a complete purchasing specification. Ask for the safety function, applicable framework, role of the equipment and agreed assessment scope, then identify the necessary references.
Related electrical standards guidance
Browse our electrotechnical standards overview and CENELEC guide when comparing international and European references.