Mechanical & Machinery Standards (EN & ISO) are the engine of European industry. From robotics and automated assembly lines to heavy industrial equipment, compliance with these standards ensures operational safety, efficiency, and conformity with the EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC).
Engineering for Safety & Performance
In the mechanical sector, safety is paramount. European Standards (EN) provide the “Presumption of Conformity” required for CE marking. They define the essential health and safety requirements for designing machinery, controlling hazardous energy, and ensuring the reliability of safety-related control systems.
🛡️ Machine Safety
Perform mandatory risk assessments and risk reduction using EN ISO 12100.
🤖 Robotics
Ensure safe human-robot collaboration in industrial environments with EN ISO 10218.
🔧 Maintenance
Standardize terminology and maintenance processes with EN 13306 to reduce downtime.
Essential Standards for Machinery Manufacturers
To apply the CE Mark and export machinery within the EEA, these are the critical standards:
| Standard | Title / Scope | Key Application |
|---|---|---|
| EN ISO 12100 | Safety of Machinery – Risk Assessment | The core standard for all machine design. |
| EN 60204-1 | Electrical Equipment of Machines | Safety of electrical control panels. |
| EN ISO 13849-1 | Safety-related parts of control systems | Performance Levels (PL) for safety logic. |
| EN ISO 14120 | Guards – General Requirements | Design of fixed and movable guards. |
| EN ISO 4413/4414 | Hydraulic & Pneumatic Power | Safety for fluid power systems. |
| EN ISO 10218-1 | Robots and Robotic Devices | Safety requirements for industrial robots. |
Strategic Advantages of Compliance
Compliance protects your workforce and your business liability.
- CE Marking: Harmonized standards like EN ISO 12100 provide the legal basis for declaring conformity with the Machinery Directive.
- Global Export: ISO machinery standards are accepted worldwide, allowing you to design one machine for multiple markets (Europe, US, Asia).
- Worker Protection: Correctly implementing functional safety (ISO 13849) prevents life-altering accidents and costly litigation.
- Reliability: Standards for pneumatics, hydraulics, and lubrication ensure machines run longer with less unplanned maintenance.
📥 Access Official Machinery Standards
Ensure your machines are safe and legal. Download official EN & ISO documents directly from Genorma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is risk assessment mandatory?
Yes. The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC explicitly requires manufacturers to perform a risk assessment before placing machinery on the market. EN ISO 12100 is the standard method for doing this.
What is Functional Safety (PL)?
Defined in EN ISO 13849-1, “Performance Level” (PL) measures the reliability of safety-related control parts (like e-stops or light curtains). You must calculate the PL to prove the safety system will work when needed.
Do older machines need to meet these standards?
New machines must meet current standards. However, if you significantly modify an old machine (e.g., adding robotics or new control systems), it may be treated as a “new machine” and require full re-certification and CE marking.
Explore Standards for Other Industries
Navigate to other key sectors to find relevant European and International standards.