Gaining System Safety Assurance through Conformity to IEC 63187–1
, and , 13th International Workshop on Next Generation of System Assurance Approaches for Critical Systems (SASSUR 2026), Valencia, Spain, Lecture Notes in Computer Science vol. 16869, 574--584. Springer, Cham. ISBN 978-3-032-35506-5. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-35506-5_41
Abstract
IEC 63187–1 is a forthcoming international standard that seeks to improve the safety of complex defence systems by embedding system safety within systems engineering practice. Rather than specifying particular technical solutions or system properties, it adopts a goal-based approach, setting requirements and criteria on the outcomes of systems engineering processes. This work examines what it would mean in practice to cite IEC 63187–1 in a contract, and how conformity to the standard could be demonstrated in a way that provides meaningful safety assurance to both acquirer and supplier. It explains how conformity to IEC 63187–1 would differ from traditional product certification, and why IEC 63187–1 cannot be treated as a simple conformance ‘badge’. The authors explore the role of the agreement processes, the treatment of relevant requirements and tailoring, the use of acceptance strategies and safety cases, and the challenges posed by outcome-based conformity assessment. The paper concludes that citing IEC 63187–1 in a contract places significant but constructive obligations on both parties, requiring increased up-front clarity and collaboration in return for improved transparency and confidence in system safety outcomes.