Performance Level
Reliability level of a safety function
Back to the glossaryAccording to ISO 13849, the Performance Level describes the capability with which a safety-related control function mitigates risks. The term Performance Level is above all relevant to the safe and legally compliant use of robotics. For companies, what counts is this: clear evidence protects people and creates a robust basis for procurement and operation. The actual suitability only becomes apparent in the interplay of process, environment and safe operation.
Performance Level stands for "Reliability level of a safety function". According to ISO 13849, the Performance Level describes the capability with which a safety-related control function mitigates risks. The term matters in robotics projects because a robot must do more than merely function technically. Depending on the product, the company's role and the intended use, different legal requirements, standards, evidence and operator obligations may come together. A blanket statement covering every robot would therefore be inaccurate.
In practice, the Performance Level is considered in the context of the specific overall system. Hazards, technical protective measures, documentation and responsibilities are brought together systematically. The distribution of roles is important: manufacturer, importer, distributor, system integrator and operator do not automatically share the same tasks. A modification, a new installation or a substantially changed use can also trigger a fresh assessment. The documentation must therefore match the system actually placed on the market.
Companies use the Performance Level to prepare the safe and legally compliant use of robotics in a structured way. Clear evidence protects people and creates a robust basis for procurement and operation. During procurement, relevant evidence should not be requested only immediately before commissioning. It makes sense to set out clear requirements in the specification, to carry out a documented review of the supplied documents, and to name unambiguously the people responsible for open points and later changes.
Technical safety and organisational operation belong together here. Protective functions, operating instructions, training, maintenance, access rights and behaviour in the event of faults must be coordinated with one another. For networked robots, IT security and data protection are often added. For mobile systems, traffic routes, encounters with people, handover points and possible changes to the environment are also important.
When procuring a robotics solution, a team from the occupational safety area examines the significance of the Performance Level for the product, the integration and the intended operation. According to ISO 13849, the Performance Level describes the capability with which a safety-related control function mitigates risks. Manufacturer, integrator and operator record responsibilities, evidence and open points before the system is released. If the setup or use is changed, the assessment is reconsidered. This approach prevents a single marking, certificate or data sheet from being confused with a complete assessment of the real-world use.
Limits of the classification: applicability and current status must be checked for the specific product and use case. Publication statuses can change, and a standard is not automatically fully applicable to every product. The Performance Level therefore requires a case-specific consideration with the current legal and standards status. Within the glossary, this entry serves as accessible orientation; the project decision is based on documented requirements and specific evidence.
In practice
When procuring a robotics solution, a team from the occupational safety area examines the significance of the Performance Level for the product, the integration and the intended operation. According to ISO 13849, the Performance Level describes the capability with which a safety-related control function mitigates risks. Manufacturer, integrator and operator record responsibilities, evidence and open points before the system is released. If the setup or use is changed, the assessment is reconsidered.
Advantages
- creates traceable requirements and responsibilities
- supports safe procurement and integration
- improves the documentation of technical decisions
- reduces legal and operational surprises
Limitations
- applicability and current status must be checked for the specific product and use case
- applicability must be determined individually for product, role and use
- documentation and evidence create additional effort
- changes to the system can make a new assessment necessary
Typical applications
Frequently asked questions
- What does Performance Level mean, simply explained?
- According to ISO 13849, the Performance Level describes the capability with which a safety-related control function mitigates risks.
- When must the Performance Level be taken into account in a robotics project?
- The Performance Level becomes relevant as soon as the product, integration or operation falls within the scope described. The specific role and the current status are decisive.
- Who is responsible for the Performance Level?
- Depending on the case, responsibility may lie with the manufacturer, importer, distributor, integrator or operator. The roles must be clarified explicitly within the project.
- What are the limits of this classification of the Performance Level?
- Applicability and current status must be checked for the specific product and use case. A general glossary explanation therefore does not replace a case-specific review of the actual robotics solution.
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