Legal framework

Machine manufacturers and manufacturing plants must ensure that their machines or plants cannot cause danger due to malfunctions in addition to the general risks of electric shock, heat or radiation.

In Europe, for example, compliance with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is legally stipulated by the EU work safety directive. In order to ensure compliance with this directive, it is recommended that the corresponding harmonized European standards are applied. This triggers the "assumption of conformity" and gives manufacturers and operators the legal security in terms of compliance with both national regulations and EU directives. The machine manufacturer uses the CE marking to document the compliance with all relevant directives and regulations in the free movement of goods.

Safety-related standards

Functional safety is specified in various standards. For example, EN ISO 12100 specifies standards pertaining to machine safety (risk assessment and risk reduction). IEC 61508 specifies basic requirements for electronic and programmable safety-related systems. EN 62061 (only applicable for electrical and electronic control systems) and EN ISO 13849‑1, which has replaced EN 954‑1, define the functional and safety-related requirements of safety-oriented control systems.

The above-mentioned standards define different safety requirements that the machine has to satisfy in accordance with the risk, frequency of a dangerous situation, probability of occurrence and the opportunities for recognizing impending danger.

• EN ISO 13849‑1: Performance Level PL a ... e; Category B, 1 ... 4
• EN 62061: Safety Integrity Level SIL 1 ... 3

Trend toward integrated safety systems

The trend toward greater complexity and higher modularity of machines has seen a shift in safety functions away from the classical central safety functions (for example, shutdown of the complete machine using a main disconnecting means) and into the machine control system and the drives. This is often accompanied by a significant increase in productivity because the equipping times are shortened. Depending on the type of machine, it may even be possible to continue manufacturing other parts while equipping is in progress.

Integrated safety functions act much faster than those of a conventional design. The safety of a machine is increased further with Safety Integrated. Furthermore, thanks to the faster method of operation, safety measures controlled by integrated safety systems are perceived as less of a hindrance by the machine operator, therefore significantly reducing the motivation to consciously bypass safety functions.