1. A method for automatically testing a program for a safety-related automation system having at least one safety-related programmable logic controller for compliance with programming guidelines pertaining to designing programs for the safety-related programmable logic controller, the method comprising: obtaining at least part of a safety-related program from a development system for automation systems, the safety-related program being stored in a programming environment for creating a safety-related program in the development system; loading the obtained safety-related program into a test device for testing safety-related programs, the test device having access to guidelines for designing programs for safety-related programmable logic controllers; automatically testing the loaded safety-related program in the test device for compliance with the programming guidelines for designing programs for safety-related programmable logic controllers; and outputting results of the testing from the test device.