Integrating functional safety in machines and systems

For more than ten years, DIN EN 60204-1 has ensured the safe design of electrical equipment for machines and plants. The underlying IEC 60204-1 standard was updated in 2016 - now the European version of the world's most widely used machine safety standard is published. This whitepaper provides an overview of the most important changes for machine and plant manufacturers, especially with regards to switchgear technology.

Internationally harmonized regulations, known as EU Directives, are in place to ensure balanced protections for people and the environment and to reduce competitive disadvantages and hurdles to business due to different safety regulations within the EU. 

The safety of machines is primarily covered within two directives. The Machinery Safety Directive is oriented toward producers of machines, while the Work Equipment Directive is oriented toward operators of machines. A principle known as the 'Presumption of Conformity' applies to the fulfillment of requirements defined in harmonized standards. It presumes that the protective goals of the EU directive are to be regarded as sufficiently met.

Our safety manual gives you an overview of the most important directives, standards and regulations for machines in the EU.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is functional safety of machines and how can it be increased

What are the eight most significant changes to EN 60204-1?

The machinery regulation replaces machinery directive 2006/42/EC. What is changing? 

Machine safety: How does a risk assessment work?

What does the CE marking on a machine tell us?

Which standards must be followed for machine safety?

Emergency stop vs. emergency switching off: what's the difference?

Why were the standards EN ISO 13849 and IEC 62061 revised in 2021, and how do these updates affect engineers’ work?