- Laws and regulations
Machinery directive 2006/42/EG
There are countless different machines and it is impossible to establish exactly what each specific machine must comply with, which is why the European Union has created global regulations for this: the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EG.
The requirements in the directive are formulated as performance requirements. Harmonised standards have been drawn up for the application of these requirements.
It is important for designers, builders, users and operators of machinery to apply these standards in order to demonstrate conformity with the applicable requirements of the Machinery Directive.
Different types of Safety standards
The harmonised standards are divided into three different types: A standards, B standards and C standards.
A-standards are overarching standards and cover the basic safety requirements of the machine (EN ISO 12100).
B-standards are basic standards for the safety aspects or safety devices of a machine. A distinction is made between two different B standards:
B1-standards relate to the safety aspects
B2-standards relate to the safety devices
C-standards cover the safety of machinery for a particular type or group of machinery.
Important B-standards for the safety of machinery
These safety standards apply to the safety aspects and safety devices of a machine.
EN-ISO 14118:2018
Prevention of unexpected (re)start of machines.
