The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC forms the central framework for the safety of machinery within the European Union. It ensures that machines can be placed on the market that meet high safety standards to protect people, the environment, and goods. 

This makes it challenging for companies to stay up to date, especially since the requirements vary depending on the type of machine.
However, for the countless different machines, it is almost impossible to define every specific technical requirement. Therefore, the European Union has established a global legislation: the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. This directive consolidates uniform standards.

 

The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC – These are the uniform safety standards:

The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC consolidates the various safety standards essential for the operation of machines into a single piece of legislation. These standards are divided into three categories: A, B, and C standards, which define specific requirements depending on the type of machine and its application.

A-Standards: Basic safety requirements.

The so-called A-Standards define the fundamental safety principles that apply to all machines. One of the most important A-standards is EN ISO 12100, which focuses on the general design principles for risk reduction. This standard forms the foundation for all other safety regulations by ensuring that potential hazards are identified and minimized during the design phase.

 

B-Standards: Safety-related parts and protective devices

B-Standards are more specific and refer to safety-related aspects and protective devices on machines.

There are two subcategories:

• B1 standards: These concern general safety-related requirements, such as safety distances or noise emissions.
• B2 standards: These standards directly relate to protective devices and their design, such as emergency stop devices or interlocking systems

Examples of B standards include:

• EEN-ISO 13857:2019: This standard regulates the safety distances that must be maintained between the operator and hazardous areas of the machine.
• EN-ISO 14119:2013: This standard deals with the locking of protective devices to prevent access to hazardous areas.

Important B-standards for machine safety:

Some of the most important standards relevant to safety aspects and protective devices include:

• EN ISO 13849-1:2015: This standard addresses the safety-related parts of control systems and is responsible for the design and assessment of safety-critical control systems.
• EN 62061:2021: This standard refers to the functional safety of electrical, electronic, and programmable systems and ensures that systems performing safety functions operate reliably.
• EN ISO 14118:2018: This standard helps prevent the unexpected (re-)start of machines, which is particularly important during maintenance work.
• EN ISO 13855 (Safety distances for light curtains):
• EN ISO 13857 (Safety distances for safety switches):

 

C-Normen: Specific safety requirements for machine types

C-Norms are the most detailed standards and apply to specific types of machines or machine groups. They describe the particular safety requirements and measures necessary for specific machines. For example, there are separate C-Norms for presses, woodworking machines, or robots.

ATEX 114: Protection in explosive atmospheres.
Special attention should also be given to the ATEX guidelines, specifically ATEX 114, which regulates the use of machines in explosive atmospheres. This standard ensures that machines and their components do not generate explosive sparks or temperatures.

Check the updates of the standards:
The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and the corresponding standards are of central importance for safety in the machinery industry. To meet the complex requirements, it is advisable to regularly check for updates and ensure that all relevant standards are adhered to. This not only protects your employees but also increases the efficiency and reliability of your machines.
 

 

 

Our product range according to the standard regulations: