Overview
EN ISO 11161:2007 - Safety of machinery: Integrated manufacturing systems (IMS) - Basic requirements provides safety requirements and recommendations for systems that integrate two or more interconnected machines for specific manufacturing or assembly applications. Published by CEN and identical to ISO 11161:2007, this Type‑B1 standard focuses on the safety issues arising from the interconnection and coordinated operation of machines, not on safety details of individual machines already covered by their own standards.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard addresses the safety lifecycle of an IMS with emphasis on the interconnection and collective operation. Major technical topics include:
- Risk assessment strategy: defining limits of the IMS, task determination, identifying hazardous situations, risk estimation, evaluation and reduction in line with ISO 12100 and ISO 14121.
- Specification of the IMS: documenting system boundaries, flows (materials, scrap, finished goods), control architecture and roles (integrator, user, suppliers).
- Task zones and safeguarding: defining task zones where manual interventions occur (inspection, maintenance, setup) and applying appropriate guards and protective devices.
- Span of control: allocating safe operational reach and authority between machines and operators within the IMS.
- Control and safety-related parts: requirements for control systems and validation in conjunction with ISO 13849 series.
- Modes, muting and blanking: managing temporary suspension or modification of safeguards (e.g., for material transfer) while maintaining safety integrity.
- Emergency stop, reset, escape and rescue: requirements for safe stopping and recovery of trapped persons.
- Validation and information for use: verifying protective measures and providing marking, instructions and safety information to operators and maintenance personnel.
The standard includes informative annexes with IMS examples, information flow between integrator/user/suppliers, and span-of-control illustrations.
Applications and users
EN ISO 11161:2007 is used where multiple machines form an integrated production system, such as:
- automated assembly lines and transfer lines
- robotic cell arrays and production cells
- material handling and processing lines that operate as a coordinated system
Primary users:
- Integrators designing and commissioning IMS
- Safety engineers and machine designers ensuring system-level conformity
- Plant managers and maintenance teams implementing safe procedures
- Equipment suppliers and component manufacturers coordinating safety interfaces
- Notified bodies / conformity assessors evaluating compliance
Related standards
Key referenced standards to use alongside EN ISO 11161:2007:
EN ISO 11161:2007 helps integrators and safety professionals manage IMS safety by focusing on system-level hazards, safeguarding strategies, and validation-ensuring safe, compliant manufacturing systems.
