scope:

This European Standard specifies a safety-related communication layer (services and protocol) based on EN 50325-4.

This European Standard applies to networks based on EN 50325-4 providing safety-related communication capabilities between devices in a safety-related system in accordance with the requirements of EN 61508 for functional safety. The services and protocols defined in this standard are intended to extend those defined in EN 50325-4. These services and protocols may be used in various applications such as manufacturing, machinery, medical, mobile machinery and process control.

NOTE 1 This European Standard does not cover the procedures for the safety-related configuration and for the safety-related setup of safety-related systems. The definition and implementation of such procedures depends on the kind of the safety-related system. For example flexible safety-related systems like operating theatres as found in medical systems require different procedures than for fixed safety-related systems like cranes in the mobile machinery. This European Standard does not cover electrical safety, intrinsic safety and security aspects. Electrical safety relates to hazards such as electrical shock. Intrinsic safety relates to hazards associated with potentially explosive atmospheres. Security relates to enforcing policies to prevent changes in the safety-related system by unauthorized personnel.

NOTE 2 The resulting safety integrity level claim of a system depends on the implementation of the services and protocols within the devices and the system. The implementation of the services and protocols defined in this European Standard in a device is not sufficient to qualify the device as a safety-related device.