Overview
EN ISO 3691-1:2015/A1:2020 is the CEN-endorsed amendment to ISO 3691-1 covering safety requirements and verification for self‑propelled industrial trucks (excluding driverless trucks, variable‑reach trucks and burden‑carrier trucks). Published May 2020 and approved by CEN, this amendment updates the European adoption of the ISO text and the informative Annex ZA that links the standard to Directive 2006/42/EC (machinery directive), providing a presumption of conformity when the standard is cited in the Official Journal.
Key topics and technical requirements
This amendment and the underlying standard address a broad range of machine safety and verification topics, including:
- Reach‑truck mast extension and speed control: new requirement that the speed of reach trucks be automatically reduced to v ≤ 6 km/h (manufacturer-determined max) when the mast’s elevated section is more than 400 mm above the fully lowered mast height.
- Information and instructions: mandatory inclusion of warnings and instructions about truck modification that could introduce hazards or invalidate prior risk assessments.
- Regional modification guidance: clarifies that truck modification outside Europe is subject to regional requirements and references ISO/TS 3691-8.
- Broad safety subjects mapped in Annex ZA (and therefore relevant for CE conformity) such as: safety integration, materials, lighting, ergonomics, seating/operating positions, control systems and devices, starting/stopping, stability and mechanical strength, moving parts and guards, energy supply (batteries, electrical), fire/explosion risks, marking/signalling and instructions, maintenance and access.
Practical applications
EN ISO 3691-1:2015/A1:2020 is used to:
- Design and verify the safety of industrial trucks (including reach trucks and counterbalance types).
- Prepare technical documentation and risk assessments required for CE marking under Directive 2006/42/EC.
- Define fleet safety rules: speed restrictions, operator signage, and instructions for safe modification and servicing.
- Develop manufacturer instructions, maintenance procedures and retrofit/modification policies to avoid introducing new hazards.
- Guide conformity assessment and product testing by notified bodies and test laboratories.
Who should use this standard
- Industrial truck manufacturers and designers
- Safety engineers and machine‑safety consultants
- Compliance officers and CE‑marking assessors
- Fleet managers, procurement and maintenance teams
- Test labs and notified bodies assessing safety verification
Related standards
- ISO 3691 series (other parts addressing specific truck types)
- ISO/TS 3691-8 (regional requirements and truck modification guidance)
- Directive 2006/42/EC (Machinery Directive) - Annex ZA provides the standard’s linkage to essential requirements
This amendment strengthens practical machine‑safety controls (notably for reach trucks and modification management) and helps manufacturers and users meet regulatory and operational safety expectations for industrial truck fleets.
