Testing of measurement instrument software with the purpose of conformity assessment

Abstract

The analysis of the regulatory framework for testing measuring instruments (MI) software at the national level to determine its suitability for carrying out conformity assessment was conducted. Comparison of the general requirements of national normative documents and documents of international and regional organizations of legal metrology OIML and WELMEC was conducted. In particular, regarding the suitability of software for application and protection against unauthorized interference. It is found that the current national standard contains only general requirements for software protection and does not determine the methodology of software testing. This is important because the MIs, which are intended for use in the field of regulated metrology, must undergo a procedure for conformity assessment with the requirements of the technical regulations. The main differences were identified and the necessary elements were established to achieve the presumption of conformity of the software with essential requirements of the technical regulations during conformity assessment of the MI. Requirements of normative documents concerning suitability for application and protection against unauthorized interference are identified. In order to specify requirements for software and to ensure compliance with the requirements of the software test method, the need for additional use of the requirements of the OIML D 31 and WELMEC 7.2 documents was established. The need to revise the current national standard for MI software testing was proved. The algorithm of testing of the MI software for conformity assessment was established and studied. The algorithm takes into account the requirements of international standards for the software life cycle and the quality system when developing the software. This will take into account all the elements necessary to achieve the presumption of conformity of software with the essential requirements of technical regulations.