The DO-254 standard applies to the design of complex electronic hardware in airborne systems, including Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). DO-254 is the counterpart to DO-178B.

There are five levels of compliance, A-E, according to the effect a failure of the hardware will have on the the aircraft operation.

Level A is highest, where a failure of the equipment is defined as "catastrophic", while a failure of Level E hardware will not affect the safety of the aircraft.