Functional safety is no longer confined to design and development; it must span the entire vehicle lifecycle. First, this article examines how OEMs and suppliers implement a Safety Management System (SMS) to integrate field feedback into continuous improvement loops. Next, we explore post‑SOP monitoring techniques—including warranty analysis and telematics—and the role of over‑the‑air (OTA) updates in maintaining compliance. Finally, we highlight centralized safety data platforms and AI-driven anomaly detection as emerging enablers of proactive risk management.

As vehicle complexity increases, residual risks can surface only after deployment. Moreover, maintaining ISO 26262 compliance requires structured processes for capturing and acting on field data. Therefore, this final article in our series builds on prior discussions—from foundational frameworks (Article 1) to implementation best practices (Article 4) and common pitfalls (Article 6)—by focusing on lifecycle assurance and post‑SOP safety strategies.