Functional Safety Certification for Railway Inspection Robots: EN 50128 Explained

Date
2026-11-18
Location
Online
Host
Zach L

About this event

A Worked-Examples Session for Machine Builders pursuing functional safety certification. A live 30-minute worked-examples session on EN 50128 (Railway Software) for railway inspection robots, built for machine builders pursuing functional safety certification. What We'll Cover: What EN 50128 (Railway Software) requires and how its scope applies to railway inspection robots Mapping EN 50128 clauses to the certification evidence assessors expect System-specific hazards and safety functions typical of railway inspection robots Common findings that delay certification, and how to avoid them A practical readiness roadmap for machine builders preparing for assessment Related topics: EN 50128 · Railway Inspection Robots · functional safety certification · functional safety assessment · Worked-Exa

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About EN 50128 (Railway Software)

This event covers the compliance, engineering, and verification requirements defined by EN 50128.

EN 50128 specifies software development for railway control and protection: SIL 0-4 graded techniques for lifecycle phases, roles with required independence, and evidence for software used in signaling and train control.

What it regulates

Organization and roles (designer, verifier, validator, assessor independence), technique tables per SIL, tool classes T1-T3, and software validation/assessment for rail.

Who must comply

Signaling suppliers (interlockings, ETCS), rolling stock software teams (with EN 50657 for on-board), and independent assessors.

Key requirements of EN 50128

  • Role independence matrix by SIL
  • Annex A technique tables
  • Data preparation processes for configuration-driven systems
  • Deployment and maintenance requirements

Key concepts: EN 50128

Data-driven safety
Site data (track layouts) treated with its own prepared, verified lifecycle.
Software SIL
Rail's software integrity grading including SIL 0 for non-safety rail software under the same framework.
Independent assessor
Mandatory third-party software assessment at higher SILs.

Frequently asked questions: EN 50128

What replaced EN 50128 for rolling stock?

EN 50657 carved out on-board rolling stock software; 50128 continues for signaling/control-command. Requirements philosophy is shared, scopes differ.

Standard information based on the published text of EN 50128 (Railway Software). Event content is provided by the host. For authoritative guidance, consult the official standard body.