In Europe, the Machinery Directive sets the standard. It defines basic safety requirements that are specified in harmonized standards. Using it is voluntary, but does offer legal advantages. No official approval is required – the CE marking and a declaration of conformity from the manufacturer are sufficient. A notified body must only be involved for high-risk products. The new requirements of the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 must be implemented by January 27, 2027.
Safety of machinery Safety of machinery is a central element in modern machine building. It protects people, secures production processes, and complies with legal requirements. Phoenix Contact offers you comprehensive solutions for functional safety: compliant with standards, scalable, and future-proof.
Product overview
For functional safety applications in machine building, Phoenix Contact offers a wide range of SIL-certified products.
Find out more about success stories and application examples
With decades of experience, innovative products and a global network, Phoenix Contact is your reliable partner for the safety of machinery in machine building. We support you from risk analysis and the selection of suitable components all the way to commissioning and the validation of your safety functions.
Why the safety of machinery is decisive
In today’s increasingly automated industrial environment, reliable protection of machines and systems is essential. Our solutions for the safety of machinery help you to meet legal requirements such as the Machinery Directives EN ISO 13849-1 and EN 62061 and increase your productivity at the same time.
- Protection of people and machinery
- Compliance with legal standards
- Minimization of downtimes
- Improved system availability
Standard-compliant safety: can be used worldwide
Phoenix Contact help you implement international safety standards. Our products and solutions can be used worldwide and meet all the relevant requirements for exporting your machines.
Supported standards:
- EN ISO 13849-1 and EN 62061
- IEC 61508
- Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
- EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230
The requirements for the safety of machinery vary greatly from country to country. This is a decisive factor for machine builders with a global focus.
In the USA, the OSHA standards apply, which primarily address operators but also indirectly impose requirements on manufacturers. ANSI and UL standards are not legally binding, but are required by contract. There is no market surveillance, but a test mark from an NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) is required for commissioning.
China has adopted many international standards, but these are not always up to date. CCC certification is only mandatory for certain components. The safety of machinery is primarily influenced by customs controls and regional standards.
Japan has transferred international standards such as ISO 13849-1 and IEC 62061 into national JIS standards. For European machine builders, this means no additional technical hurdles when exporting.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about safety of machinery
1. What does the safety of machinery in machine building mean?
Safety of machinery includes all technical and organizational measures that serve to avoid or minimize hazards caused by machinery. By complying with legal requirements such as the Machinery Directive, the aim is to protect people, machines, and processes from harm.
2. What is the difference between functional safety and general safety of machinery?
Safety of machinery is the generic term for all protective measures. Functional safety refers specifically to safety-related control functions, such as the safe shutdown of a motor in the event of an emergency stop.
3. How do I integrate safety of machinery into my design?
Carry out a risk assessment as early as the design phase. This analysis is used to define suitable safety functions, which are then implemented using certified components. Tools such as SISTEMA or Pascal help with validation.
4. How can I prove that my safety measures are effective?
Validation in accordance with EN ISO 13849-2 or EN 62061 provides proof of effectiveness. This involves checking whether the implemented safety functions meet the requirements. Documentation, test reports, and any applicable TÜV certification are included in the verification.