IEC 62061

IEC 62061 is the machinery sector adaptation of IEC 61508, governing the design and implementation of safety-related electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic control systems on industrial machinery.

Last updated: April 2026

Key Facts

Term: IEC 62061
Full title: Safety of machinery — Functional safety of safety-related control systems
Published by: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
First published: 2005, revised 2021
Parent standard: IEC 61508
Risk classification: Safety Integrity Level (SIL 1 to SIL 3 in practice)
Companion standard: ISO 13849 (uses Performance Level instead of SIL)
Scope: Electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic control systems on machinery
Industries: Manufacturing, packaging, robotics, automated production lines
Typical course duration: 2 to 4 days

What is IEC 62061?

IEC 62061 applies to electrical control systems on machinery and provides requirements for the full safety lifecycle: hazard identification, allocation of safety functions, system architecture, verification, validation, and modification.

SIL ratings under IEC 62061 use the same four-level scheme as IEC 61508, though SIL 4 is rarely seen in machinery applications. The standard sits alongside ISO 13849, which uses Performance Level (PL) classifications and covers a broader set of technologies including pneumatic and hydraulic safety systems. Most machinery safety projects in Europe reference one or both standards, depending on the technology mix and market requirements.

IEC 62061 vs ISO 13849

Dimension	IEC 62061	ISO 13849
Technology scope	Electrical, electronic, programmable electronic	All technologies (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical)
Risk classification	SIL (1 to 3 in practice)	Performance Level (PL a to PL e)
Origin	IEC 61508	EN 954-1 (predecessor)
Year	First 2005, revised 2021	First 2006, revised 2015
Common audience	Control engineers, system integrators	Machine builders, mechanical engineers

Most machinery projects use both standards together because each one's scope addresses a different part of the safety system.

How Machinery Safety Training Providers Deliver IEC 62061 Courses

Machinery safety training providers deliver IEC 62061 to control engineers, machine builders, system integrators, and safety assessors as a two to four day course.

Course content covers SIL allocation, control system architecture, validation, and CE marking implications under the European Machinery Directive. Delivery formats include open-enrolment public cohorts, private corporate cohorts at machine builder facilities, and blended programmes combining self-paced theory with live workshops. Providers commonly run IEC 62061 alongside ISO 13849 because most delegates need to work with both. The training operation needs cohort scheduling aligned with project phases, identity verification, verifiable certificates, and branded portals for industrial client cohorts.

Common Questions

What is the difference between IEC 62061 and ISO 13849?

IEC 62061 covers electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic control systems and uses SIL ratings. ISO 13849 covers a broader set of safety-related technologies including pneumatic and hydraulic systems and uses Performance Level (PL) ratings. Many machinery projects need both standards.

Who needs IEC 62061 training?

Control engineers, machine builders, system integrators, machinery safety assessors, and CE marking specialists. Manufacturers, machine builders, and end users all have practitioners who benefit from the training.

How does IEC 62061 relate to IEC 61508?

IEC 62061 is the machinery sector adaptation of IEC 61508. It inherits the SIL framework and safety lifecycle but adds machinery-specific requirements aligned with the European Machinery Directive.

Why is SIL 4 rarely used in machinery applications?

SIL 4 is reserved for the highest-risk safety functions and requires design and verification effort that is rarely justified in machinery contexts. Most machinery hazards can be controlled adequately at SIL 2 or SIL 3.