CANTON, Mich., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- At the meeting of the European Machinery Working Group on December 8, 2009 in Brussels, the EU Commission again discussed the request from the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) to extend EN 954-1's presumption of conformity.

According to a public statement by CEN the extension will be granted. However, the Commission still has to define an exact timeline for this extension. This change is expected to be published in the Official Journal of the EU in the next few weeks.

Once the date has been published, we will know how long the presumption of conformity for EN 954-1 in parallel with EN ISO 13849-1 and EN/IEC 62061 will apply.

"As safety experts in automation and machinery, there are various reasons why we recommend that manufacturers and operators apply the successor standards EN ISO 13849-1 and EN/IEC 62061 as early as possible," says John McAuliffe, Head of Pilz's International Services Group.

Check the scope 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. What's more, it's increasingly likely that machinery specifiers will require the use of the latest standards (including ISO 13849-1:2006) regardless of whether an "old" standard is allowed for presumption of conformity. They have good reason to do this. They are assured that their equipment meets the latest standards should they choose to relocate the equipment at a later date when the "older" standards are no longer valid. From a liability standpoint, machinery purchasers may use the latest standards as part of their risk management.

Product-Specific Standards

Many Type B and Type C (product-specific) 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 ISO 13850: Safety of machinery - Emergency stop - Principles for design

- EN 848: Safety of woodworking machines

Other C standards will gradually be amended accordingly. Once amended, application of EN 954-1 would no longer enable presumption of conformity for these standards.

International Impact

It should be noted that while EN 954-1 is recognized throughout the world, it is not an international standard. This is an important aspect, particularly for machine manufacturers and users that operate internationally. At an international level, ISO 13849-1:2006 (second edition) has already replaced the first edition of ISO 13849-1: 1999, which was based on EN 954-1.

Support in converting 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, from training to implementation of providing CE marking services.

What's more, Pilz's PAScal Safety Calculator provides a convenient software tool for calculating the performance level and safety integrity level that safety functions can achieve based on the components used. A free trial copy of PAScal is available for download from www.pilz.us. Unlike SISTEMA, PAScal supports EN/IEC 62061 as well as EN ISO 13849-1.

Pilz is supporting design engineers in the United States, Canada and around the world who have already converted to EN ISO 13849-1 and EN/IEC 62061. At the same time, Pilz continues to provide products, services and technical support for those design engineers who have chosen to continue to apply EN 954-1.

Pilz, the company

The world leader in 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, and 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.

For more information visit www.pilz.us or call 1-877-PILZ-USA

SOURCE Pilz Automation Safety

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.pilz.us