A step-by-step guide to what's necessary to satisfy the IEC61508 safety-critical requirements for compiler verification.
By Richard Barry

IEC 61508 is a standard for electrical, electronic and programmable electronic, safety-related systems. It is interesting because it spans hardware and software components. Therefore, with care, software can be incorporated directly into a safety function, reducing the requirement for physical safety mechanisms. Broadly speaking, IEC61508 covers three areas:
1. Business processes and structure. This should be covered by systems that are compliant with a standard such as ISO9001:2000.

2. Hardware development. This focuses on techniques to reduce systematic and random hardware failures.

3. Software development. This focuses on techniques used to reduce systematic errors in safety-related software - the probability of which is not generally quantifiable.

How to verify your compiler for use in IEC 61508 safety-critical applications (Full Article)