What is EN ISO 13949-1:2019

EN ISO 13949-1:2019 is a professional technical standard that specifies the safety-related parts of control systems for machinery. It provides guidelines for the design and implementation of safety functions to achieve the required safety performance. This standard was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and European Committee for Standardization (CEN) to ensure consistent safety measures in machinery across various industries.

Key Elements of EN ISO 13949-1:2019

The standard lays out several key elements that need to be considered when applying the safety requirements. These include:

Safety Performance Levels (PL): EN ISO 13949-1:2019 introduces four discrete levels of safety performance, ranging from PL a to PL e. These levels represent the reliability and effectiveness of safety functions implemented in the control system.

Performance Level Categories (PLC): Each safety function is assigned a specific Category (B, 1, 2, 3, or 4), which determines the severity of the potential injury and the level of risk reduction required for that particular function.

Fault Exclusion (FE): The standard defines criteria and conditions that can exclude certain faults from consideration when calculating the overall system's performance level. This allows for a more realistic assessment of the control system's reliability.

Safety Integrity Level (SIL): SIL refers to the level of risk reduction achieved by implementing safety functions. EN ISO 13949-1:2019 aligns with the IEC 61508 standard, ensuring consistency in determining SIL for machinery control systems.

Implementation Challenges and Benefits

Implementing EN ISO 13949-1:2019 can pose challenges for organizations, as it involves comprehensive risk assessments and complex calculations to determine the appropriate safety measures. However, there are significant benefits to adhering to this standard:

Enhanced Safety: The primary purpose of EN ISO 13949-1:2019 is to increase the safety of machinery by ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of control systems. It helps prevent accidents and reduce the risk of injuries for machine operators and other personnel.

Compliance with Regulations: Many countries have adopted or are in the process of adopting this standard as a legal requirement for machinery safety. By complying with EN ISO 13949-1:2019, organizations can ensure they meet regulatory obligations.

Improved Reputation: Demonstrating adherence to international safety standards can enhance an organization's reputation and inspire confidence among customers, employees, and stakeholders.

Efficiency and Cost Savings: By implementing effective safety functions, organizations can minimize downtime caused by accidents or malfunctions, leading to increased productivity and cost savings in the long run.

In conclusion, EN ISO 13949-1:2019 is a crucial technical standard that sets out requirements for the safety-related parts of control systems in machinery. Adhering to this standard helps organizations enhance safety, comply with regulations, and improve their overall efficiency. It is essential for businesses across industries to familiarize themselves with EN ISO 13949-1:2019 and implement its guidelines to ensure the well-being of their workforce and reduce risks associated with machinery operation.