Functional safety is the cornerstone of risk mitigation and reliability in various industries. Whether you're an engineer, an engineering manager, a technologist, or involved in insurance or government oversight, understanding the basics of functional safety is paramount.

In the intricate landscape of functional safety, where precision can mean the difference between success and catastrophe, a persistent challenge emerges at the intersection of commitment and compliance. Imagine this scenario: An end user, driven by the imperative of robust safety functions, enters into a contractual agreement with a supplier, both parties agreeing to a fixed lump sum for Safety Integrity Level (SIL) compliance. On the surface, this seems like a prudent arrangement, aligning objectives and financial expectations. However, as the story unfolds, a complex predicament arises due to a lack of full competency in SIL on both sides.