This International Standard specifies requirements and makes recommendations for the design, integration and validation of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic control systems (SRECS) for machines (see Notes 1 and 2). It is applicable to control systems used, either singly or in combination, to carry out safety-related control functions on machines that are not portable by hand while working, including a group of machines working together in a co-ordinated manner.
NOTE 1 In this standard, the term “electrical control systems” is used to stand for ”Electrical, Electronic and Programmable Electronic (E/E/PE) control systems” and “SRECS” is used to stand for “safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic control systems”.
NOTE 2 In this standard, it is presumed that the design of complex programmable electronic subsystems or subsystem elements conforms to the relevant requirements of IEC 61508 and uses Route 1H (see IEC 61508-2:2010, 7.4.4.2). It is considered that Route 2H (see IEC 61508-2:2010, 7.4.4.3) is not suitable for general machinery. Therefore, this standard does not deal with Route 2H. This standard provides a methodology for the use, rather than development, of such subsystems and subsystem elements as part of a SRECS.
This standard is an application standard and is not intended to limit or inhibit technological advancement. It does not cover all the requirements (e.g. guarding, non-electrical interlocking or non-electrical control) that are needed or required by other standards or regulations in order to safeguard persons from hazards. Each type of machine has unique requirements to be satisfied to provide adequate safety.
This standard:
– is concerned only with functional safety requirements intended to reduce the risk of injury or damage to the health of persons in the immediate vicinity of the machine and those directly involved in the use of the machine;
– is restricted to risks arising directly from the hazards of the machine itself or from a group of machines working together in a co-ordinated manner;
NOTE 3 Requirements to mitigate risks arising from other hazards are provided in relevant sector standards.
For example, where a machine(s) is part of a process activity, the machine electrical control system functional safety requirements should, in addition, satisfy other requirements (e.g. IEC 61511) insofar as safety of the process is concerned.
– does not specify requirements for the performance of non-electrical (e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic) control elements for machines;
NOTE 4 Although the requirements of this standard are specific to electrical control systems, the framework and methodology specified can be applicable to safety-related parts of control systems employing other technologies.
– does not cover electrical hazards arising from the electrical control equipment itself (e.g. electric shock – see IEC 60204–1).
The objectives of specific Clauses in IEC 62061 are as given in Table 2.

Originated in Australia as AS 62061-2006.
Jointly revised and redesignated as AS/NZS 62061:2019. Originated in Australia as AS 62061-2006. Jointly revised and redesignated as AS/NZS 62061:2019.