Posted to News on 13th Dec 2009, 21:17
EN 954-1 extension - advice from Pilz
Elsewhere on MachineBuilding.net you can read the announcement EN 954-1 final decision - transition extension confirmed. For the rest of the extended transition period machine builders, where appropriate, can choose whether to use EN954-1, EN ISO 13849-1 or EN/IEC 62061.
John McAuliffe, Head of the International Services Group and General Manager of Pilz Ireland, comments: "As safety experts in automation and machinery, there are various reasons why we can only recommend that manufacturers and operators apply the successor standards EN ISO 13849-1 and EN/IEC 62061 as early as possible."
Machine builders - and, indeed, those modifying or specifying machinery - should check the application of EN 954-1 carefully. First and foremost, the extent to which EN 954-1 can represent the current state-of-the-art in machinery safety design is debatable. Furthermore, it is possible that machine specifiers will demand in their requirement manual that the new standards are applied in order to ensure that legally they are on the safe side as regards liability, should an accident occur.
Many B and C standards listed under the current Machinery Directive already refer to EN ISO 13849-1 and EN/IEC 62061. These include, for example:
- EN 61496: Safety of machinery - Electro-sensitive protective equipment
- EN 60204-1: Safety of machinery - Electrical equipment of machines
- EN ISO 13850: Safety of machinery - Emergency stop - Principles for design
- EN 848: Safety of woodworking machines
- EN ISO 10218-1: Robots for industrial environments - Safety requirements - Part 1: Robot
Other C standards will gradually be amended accordingly. Once amended, the application of EN 954-1 would no longer enable presumption of conformity for these standards.
Finally it should also be noted that while EN 954-1 is recognised throughout the world, it is not an international standard. This is an important aspect, particularly for machine manufacturers operating internationally.
Support in transitioning to the new standards
Pilz has already certified its products to EN ISO 13849-1 and EN/IEC 62061, and has also tailored its services to suit, including its seminars, CE marking services.
In addition, the PAScal Safety Calculator (see PAScal safety calculator - a review by MachineBuilding.net provides a convenient tool for calculating the Performance Level and Safety Integrity Level that safety functions can achieve, based on the components used.
As a result, Pilz can support design engineers who have already converted to EN ISO 13849-1 and EN/IEC 62061. At the same time the company will also continue to provide products, services and technical support for those who continue to apply EN 954-1.
Please email [email protected] for more information about Safety Services and PAScal, or visit www.pilz.co.uk.
