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

This dynamic environment makes it challenging for companies to stay up-to-date, especially since the requirements vary depending on the type of machine.
For the many different types of machinery, it is almost impossible to define every specific technical requirement. As a solution, the European Union established the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC to consolidate global legislation, offering a unified approach to machine safety.

 

The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC – Uniform Safety Standards:

The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC consolidates various safety standards essential for the operation of machines into a single piece of legislation. These standards are categorized into three groups: A, B, and C standards, each addressing specific requirements based on the type of machine and its application.

A-Standards: Basic safety requirements.

A-Standards define the fundamental safety principles applicable to all machines. One of the most important A-standards is EN ISO 12100, which outlines the general design principles for risk reduction. This standard serves as the foundation for all other safety regulations by ensuring potential hazards are identified and minimized during the design phase.

 

B-Standards: Safety-related parts and protective devices

B-Standards are more specific and focus on safety-related components and protective devices on machines.

These are further divided into two subcategories:

• B1 standards: These address general safety-related requirements, such as safety distances or noise emissions.
• These standards focus specifically on protective devices and their design, such as emergency stop devices or interlocking systems.

Examples of B standards include:

• EN-ISO 13857:2019: This standard governs the safety distances that must be maintained between the operator and hazardous areas of the machine.
• EN-ISO 14119:2013: This standard focuses on 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, responsible for the design and assessment of safety-critical control systems.
• EN 62061:2021: This standard pertains to the functional safety of electrical, electronic, and programmable systems, ensuring that systems performing safety functions operate reliably.
• EN ISO 14118:2018: This standard helps prevent the unexpected (re-)start of machines, which is particularly critical during maintenance.
• EN ISO 13855: Safety distances for light curtains:
• EN ISO 13857: Safety distances for safety switches:

 

C-Standards: Specific Safety Requirements for Machine Types

C-Standards are the most detailed and apply to specific types of machines or machine groups. These standards describe the particular safety requirements necessary for specific machines, such as presses, woodworking machines, or robots.

ATEX 114: Protection in explosive atmospheres.
The ATEX 114 standard regulates protection in explosive atmospheres, ensuring that machines and their components do not generate sparks or excessive temperatures that could lead to explosions

Check the updates of the standards:
The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and the corresponding standards play a central role in machinery safety. To meet these complex requirements, it is crucial to regularly check for updates and ensure that all relevant standards are adhered to. Staying current with the standards not only protects your employees but also improves the efficiency and reliability of your machines.
 

 

 

Our product range according to the standard regulations: