The FANUC DCS System can be relied on as the primary safety element because it meets ISO 13849-1 by a notarized body.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not specified
• D. Only for certain robots

Answer: (A)

Understanding how ISO 13849-1 is used in safety architecture helps explain why this statement is true. ISO 13849-1 provides the method for proving that safety-related parts of a control system can achieve the required level of risk reduction, expressed as a performance level (PL). If the FANUC DCS System has been evaluated and certified by a Notified Body as meeting ISO 13849-1, that certification gives independent, credible evidence that the protective function it performs will operate with the needed reliability for the intended PL. In a machine safety design, the primary safety element is the part of the control system that directly implements the protective function to reduce risk. With such third-party certification, the DCS can be relied upon as the primary safety element for the robot system. The Notified Body role is to provide formal conformity assessment, which strengthens confidence in using the DCS as the main safety control. Without certification, you would still need rigorous internal verification to demonstrate the required PL/SIL for the specific application, but certification confirms it for the intended use and architecture.