The Transition Period for EN 954-1 Creates CE Marking Confusion

CANTON, Mich., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As safety experts, Pilz recommends that EN ISO 13849-1 or EN IEC 62061, as applicable, be used. Pilz offers the following explanation to help clients understand what is happening and how it will impact them so that they can properly plan.

In September, confusion was created when the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) announced - but later retracted - that the EU had approved CEN's request for a three year extension of the transition period for EN 954-1. The initial announcement was widely reported, but the retraction has left lingering questions and uncertainties.

European Standard EN 954-1, Safety of Machinery - Safety related parts of control systems - General principles for design, was published in 1996 and has been a key standard for manufacturers exporting machinery to or within the European Union (EU), since the standard was required for CE-marking. Outside of the EU, EN 954-1 gained recognition as a de-facto standard and was adopted as an ISO standard in 1999. It has become known and used within many progressive companies and industries in other countries around the world, including the United States and Canada. However, it was long regarded as overdue for an update which was developed and approved in 2006.

The replacement standard, EN ISO 13849-1, was published in 2006. The European Commission approved a three year transition to the new update. Since 2007, manufacturers have been able to use either EN 954-1 or the new standard. Both the old and new standards can be used for electrical/electronic, pneumatic or hydraulic control systems. A second new standard, EN IEC 62061, was approved in 2005 and provides another option for machinery control systems based solely on electrical/electronic control systems. The three year transition period is scheduled to end December 29, 2009, when EN 954-1 will cease to give "presumption of conformity" to the Machinery Directive.

In July 2009, CEN asked the European Commission to extend the presumption of conformity for EN 954-1 by three years, to 2012. If granted this would give an unprecedented six year transition period. Final responsibility for any extension lies with the European Commission, which has announced that it will not reach a decision until early December - at the earliest. For now, the presumption of conformity of EN 954-1 for CE-marking is still scheduled to end December 29, 2009. Afterwards, EN ISO 13849-1 will be required for presumption of conformity.

Contrary to a few early reports in the European media, the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is unaffected. This new law comes into full force and effect for all 27 EU member states, as scheduled, on December 29, 2009. There have been no requests for any extension to this new Machinery Directive.

Pilz recommends use of new standards

As experts in safe automation, Pilz Automation Safety L.P. recommends that machine manufacturers and operators, exporting to EU (European Union) or EEA (European Economic Area) countries, not rely on the hope of an extension of EN 954-1, but instead apply EN ISO 13849-1 (or EN 62061) as soon as possible. Even if this extension were to be granted, EN ISO 13849-1 (or EN 62061) compliance will increasingly be required - whether planned or unplanned.

If the European Commission decides to extend the presumption of conformity of EN 954-1 for CE marking, the situation will be very uncertain for those that choose to continue using EN 954-1. The reason for this uncertainty is that many "C" level harmonized standards normatively require compliance with EN ISO 13849-1 (or EN 62061 if applicable). For example, EN ISO 10218-1 and FDIS EN ISO 10218-2 require compliance with EN ISO 13849-1 (or EN 62061). This means that all components, including component machines, will be evaluated considering these standards and not EN 954-1. If the component machines are not originally evaluated to EN ISO 13849-1 (or EN 62061), then the integrator using EN ISO 10218-2 still has to do this evaluation. Integrators and users will increasingly demand compliance to EN ISO 13849-1 (or EN 62061) of their suppliers or not use the suppliers.

Pilz recommends that machinery used in the USA, Canada, and elsewhere outside of the EEA meet the latest editions of the corresponding international editions of these ISO 13849-1 and IEC 62061, as these standards represent the current worldwide consensus of best-practice for safety control systems.

Pilz recommends that their clients start using EN ISO 13849-1 (or EN 62061 if applicable) and start requiring that their suppliers comply with ISO 13849-1 (or IEC 62061), as soon as possible, because these standards are the best-practice world-wide and ultimately the surest means by which to ensure conformity to the Machinery Directive for the EEA.

Pilz is ready for the new standards

As experts in safe automation, Pilz has already had all its products certified to EN ISO 13849-1 and EN/IEC 62061, as applicable, and tailored its range of services to suit all areas of machine safety. Pilz has also developed a software product (PAScal) to aid in compliance with EN ISO 13849-1 and EN/IEC 62061. PAScal is available as a downloadable free demo or may be purchased, with greatly expanded features and capabilities, from Pilz. As a result, Pilz can accommodate design engineers, engineering managers, and management personnel who are ready to apply EN ISO 13849-1, ISO 13849-1, EN 62061 or IEC 62061.

At the same time, Pilz will continue to provide products, services and technical support to help those design engineers who choose to design or validate machine safety systems to meet EN 954-1.

Continuing to promote the new standards

As the new standards EN ISO 13849-1 and EN 62061 / IEC 62061 represent the current state-of-the-art in terms of machinery safety design, Pilz will continue to work closely with standardization committees, machine manufacturers and other stakeholders to guarantee that machine designers can achieve compliance with the new standards as early as possible.

Pilz will also continue to support further harmonization of standards through ISO as well as IEC committees, in order to guarantee that automation projects can be implemented not only with the highest level of safety but also at the lowest possible cost to industry.

Pilz is a global company, as such, not all standards and information will be applicable worldwide. Please check with your local Pilz office to ensure your factory and/or machines meet local standards.

Pilz Automation Safety L.P.

The world leader is SAFE automation; Pilz offers a full range of leading-edge safe automation products and services. The company's innovative technologies and safety expertise provides customers with the leanest and safest solutions.

Products include sensor technology, electrical monitoring relays, automation solutions with motion control, safety relays, programmable safety and control systems and an operating and monitoring range. Wireless and safe bus systems are also available for industrial networking.

Pilz also provides a comprehensive range of consulting, engineering and training services. Certified consultants provide a wide range of services worldwide such as risk assessment, safety concept, safety design, CE services and safety sign-off. To keep a company LEAN and SAFE, there is no better partner than Pilz.

SOURCE Pilz Automation Safety L.P.

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