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FACE™ Consortium Conformance FAQs

What is FACE Conformance Certification?

FACE Conformance Certification proves that a software component or Domain Specific Data Model (DSDM) has successfully passed an independent verification and certification process as defined by the FACE Conformance Program.  Certification represents that the software or DSDM conforms to FACE Technical Standard requirements for creating portable and reusable software. There are three steps in the Certification process: technical verification by a designated Verification Authority (VA), subsequent certification by the FACE Certification Authority (CA), and registration into the FACE Library. 

Reference: FACE Conformance Policy

Why does the FACE Consortium emphasize “Conformance?”

Conformance means that a product meets 100% of the applicable FACE Technical Standard requirements. Compliance does not imply this level of assurance. Conformance is a higher bar for products to reach and provides greater assurance that those products are portable and reusable.

Reference: Technical Standard, Conformance Policy

How does FACE conformance enhance product portability?

The FACE approach enhances portability from one operating environment to another through the application of modular architecture, hardware abstraction, standardized interfaces, and data models. 

Reference: Technical Standard, Conformance Policy

What are advantages to achieving FACE Conformance Certification?

Provides increased customer confidence that a product is designed for portability and reuse; product is designed to meet the applicable technical standard requirements.

Ability to list in the FACE Registry

Ability to publically proclaim a product as FACE Conformant

Where are the FACE Conformance requirements found?

Applicable conformance requirements are found in a specific edition of the FACE Technical Standard. The associated Conformance Verification Matrix details the methods of verification that must be used for conformance verification.

Reference: Conformance Policy, Technical Standard, FACE Conformance Verification Matrix, FACE Conformance Verification Matrix Users Guide

What does the automated Conformance Test Suite test?

The FACE Conformance Test Suite tests a subset of the applicable FACE Technical Standard requirements. Some requirements are fully tested, some are partially tested and require inspection of supporting verification evidence, while others are not tested and rely on inspection of verification evidence to verify conformance.  

Reference: FACE Conformance Verification Matrix, FACE Conformance Verification Matrix Users Guide

Does the FACE Safety Profile guarantee Airworthiness certification?

While not guaranteeing airworthiness, the purpose of the FACE Safety profiles, both basic and extended, is to help enable, not prohibit nor guarantee, the ability to be Safety certified.

Reference: Technical Standard

Does the FACE Security Profile guarantee any security certification?

While not guaranteeing IA certification, the purpose of the FACE Security profile is to help enable, not prohibit nor guarantee, the ability to be Security certified.

Reference: Technical Standard

How does FACE Conformance compare with DO-178 certification?

Flight safety is very important to the FACE Consortium.  The goal of FACE Conformance is to complement the existing airworthiness processes, not to replace them. FACE certification indicates adherence to the FACE Technical Standard for portability purposes. DO-178 certification governs the processes for software development and verification and is a far more rigorous certification.

Reference: FACE Technical Standard

How do I certify my system as FACE Conformant?

FACE Conformance is for software components (i.e. Units of Conformance (UoCs)) of a system. Currently, complete systems are not certified.  Systems can specify FACE conformant components.

Reference: Technical Standard

How much does FACE Conformance Certification cost?

The cost of FACE Conformance Certification is the combined cost of Verification and Certification.  The cost of FACE Verification is negotiated directly with an approved Verification Authority.  The cost of Certification, as of 28 May 2018, is $949.00 per UoC.

What is the cost of re-certification after a change?

As in the case of a full certification effort, the cost of FACE re-certification is the combined cost of Verification and Certification.  The cost of FACE Verification is negotiated directly with an approved Verification Authority. If little has changed in the Unit of Conformance (UoC) and the same Verification Authority is used, there should be a cost savings realized, but it is the VA that will set the price.  The cost of Certification is standardized by the FACE CA.

Reference: N/A - Not determined by FACE Consortium

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