A safety-related control device for controlling an actuator with a first processing device that is configured to provide a safety function for the generation and/or processing of a signal for a safety-related control of the actuator, and a second processing device that is configured to provide an operating and/or additional function for the generation, processing, diagnostics, reproduction and/or transmission of further signals associated with the operation of the control device and/or of the actuator, and wherein the second processing device is furthermore configured to provide a test function for monitoring the functionality of the safety function.