1.6 Hierarchy of European standards for machine safety

European safety standards can be divided into basic safety standards (type A standards), safety group standards (type B1 standards and type B2 standards) and machine-specific technical standards (type C standards).

The design principles and the basic concepts of type A standards, such as EN ISO 12100-1, EN ISO 12100-2 and EN ISO 14121, for example, are binding for all machines. Instructions for determining risks that are connected with the machine can be found here. Avenues of approach and their order for preventing risks are provided with the objective of integrating safety, even before the machine manufacturing begins. The steps that cover risk assessment and the prevention of such risks are examined in more detail in chapter Safety of machinery, risk analysis and risk assessment.

Type B1 standards describe general safety aspects and provide solutions for this, e.g. for the design of hard guards, or the approach speed that is required for calculating the safety distance for Safety Light Curtains or Multiple Light Beam Safety Devices. This topic is also examined in detail in chapter Selecting protective devices.

Normative requirements of special protective devices, such as E-STOP buttons, safety door switches, safety mats and strips or Safety Light Curtains are grouped together in the type B2 standards. Notes on the design and testing of safety components that both the manufacturer of such products and the machine designer must take into account with the use in their machine can be found here.

Type C standards describe significant hazards, specific risks and measures for reducing these risks at special machines or machine types. If a C standard exists for the machine type in question, it takes priority over a B or A type standard. If there are additional hazards that are not addressed in the standard, or if there is no special C standard for the machine being planned, risk reduction in accordance with A and B standards must be made.

The hierarchy of the European standards system: