What is ISO 21448 - Safety of the intended functionality about?
The automotive industry is producing more and more vehicles with increased levels of automation. These require new safety standards, including ISO 21448 which is a new international standard dealing with potentially hazardous behaviours caused by the performance limitations of an electronic or electrical system, or its intended functionality. This known as the safety of the intended functionality (SOTIF), which is distinct from functional safety in the event of systems failures – which is covered in the BS ISO 26262 series.
Who is ISO 21448 - Safety of the intended functionality for?
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Tier one suppliers e.g. of electrical and electronic devices for vehicles connectivity, safety and driving functionality
- Tier two suppliers e.g. of processing chip, CAN BUS devices and sensor devices
- Software developers of software supporting both safety functions such as ADAS, and CAN BUS interfaces (J1939, OBD2)
- Safety consultants
- Formal training suppliers for the automotive industry
- Certification agencies
- Regulations and vehicle type approval agencies
- Vehicle aftermarket
- Academia
What does ISO 21448 - Safety of the intended functionality cover?
ISO 21448 provides guidance on the applicable design, verification and validation measures needed to achieve the SOTIF.
It covers functionality where proper situational awareness is critical to safety, and where that situational awareness is derived from complex sensors and processing algorithms; especially emergency intervention systems (e.g. emergency braking systems) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) with levels 1 and 2 on the OICA/SAE standard J3016 automation scales.
NOTE: ISO 21448 can be considered for higher levels of automation; however additional measures might be necessary.
Why should you use ISO 21448 - Safety of the intended functionality?
SOTIF has become a key aspect of vehicle homologation. Accordingly, ISO 21448 is potentially being cited in UNECE WP29 regulations, making it a means of compliance with the requirements of vehicle type approval.
In addition, the standard can help:
- Increase confidence in vehicle safety
- Accelerate innovation
- Develop users’ expertise
- Strengthen risk management
BS ISO 21448:2022 contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure and Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
