Overview
EN 12096:2026, published by CEN, sets out the requirements for the declaration and verification of vibration emission values for machinery. This European standard applies to both continuous and repeated shock vibrations, covering both hand-arm vibration (HAV) and whole-body vibration (WBV). It specifically addresses vibration emission values determined via type-B and type-C standards for portable hand-held, hand-guided, and mobile machinery. The standard provides clear guidance for manufacturers on:
- How to declare vibration emission values
- What product and vibration information to include in instructions for use
- Methods for verifying declared vibration emission values
EN 12096:2026 is aligned with the requirements of the EU Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, ensuring legal compliance for machinery placed on the European market.
Key Topics
Applications
EN 12096:2026 is essential for various stakeholders involved in machinery manufacturing, distribution, and usage:
- Machinery Manufacturers: Enables consistent and credible reporting of vibration emission values, supporting product development and market placement.
- Market Surveillance and Compliance: Provides standardized methods for verifying and cross-checking declared vibration values, ensuring machinery meets legal and safety requirements.
- Health and Safety Professionals: Assists buyers and employers in evaluating machinery based on standardized vibration emission data, contributing to the reduction of workplace risks due to vibration exposure.
- Test Laboratories and Certification Bodies: Offers clear methodologies for performing and validating vibration measurements on different machinery types.
Key machinery categories covered include:
- Portable hand-held and hand-guided tools
- Mobile industrial equipment (e.g., industrial trucks)
- Machines covered under type-B and type-C vibration standards
Related Standards
EN 12096:2026 references and builds upon several important international and European standards, which are crucial for comprehensive vibration measurement and safety:
- EN ISO 5349-1:2001 / EN ISO 5349-3:2025: Measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration
- EN ISO 8041-1:2017: Human response to vibration - Measuring instrumentation
- ISO 2631-1:1997: Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration
- EN ISO 20643: Principles for evaluation of vibration emission for hand-held and hand-guided machinery
- EN 13059: Methods for measuring vibration in industrial trucks
- EN ISO 12100: Risk assessment and risk reduction in machinery design
- EN ISO 28927: Vibration test methods for hand-held portable tools
- EN IEC 62841 Series: Safety requirements for electric machinery
By adopting EN 12096:2026, stakeholders ensure that vibration emission values are declared and verified consistently and transparently, supporting both legal compliance and practical workplace safety.
