Overview
EN ISO 13850:2015 - Safety of machinery - Emergency stop function - Principles for design (ISO 13850:2015) specifies functional requirements and design principles for the emergency stop (E-stop) function on machinery, regardless of the energy source. It is a type‑B2 (generic safeguard) standard that defines what an emergency stop must do, how it should behave, and which machines are excluded (machines where an E‑stop would not reduce risk and hand‑held or hand‑operated machines). The standard supports conformity with EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and provides a presumption of conformity when implemented.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Purpose and scope: The emergency stop function is intended to avert or reduce hazards and must be initiated by a single human action. It is complementary to other protective measures.
- Availability and override: The E‑stop shall be available and operational at all times, override all other machine functions, and not impair other protective functions (e.g., release of trapped persons).
- Latch and reset behaviour: Once activated the emergency stop must be maintained until manually reset. Reset is by disengagement of the E‑stop device and must be an intentional action that does not start the machine automatically.
- Span of control and stop categories: Defines the predetermined section of machinery controlled by each E‑stop and the categories of stopping actions to be applied.
- Emergency stop equipment: Emergency stop equipment is safety‑related parts of the control system and typically comprises input, processing and output elements.
- Human factors and protection: Requirements to prevent unintended actuation (e.g., protective shrouds) and guidance for operator control stations and portable (cableless) controls.
- Environmental and actuator considerations: Operating conditions, environmental influences, and the use of wires or ropes as actuators are addressed.
- Normative cross‑references: Relates to machine safety standards such as ISO 12100, ISO 13849‑1, IEC 60204‑1, IEC 60947‑5‑5 and IEC 62061 for detailed realization and electrical/electronic implementation.
Applications
EN ISO 13850:2015 is applied when designing, specifying or assessing emergency stop functions on industrial machinery. Typical practical uses:
- Designing machine control systems and safety interlocks
- Specifying emergency stop devices and their placement (span of control)
- Performing risk assessments and verifying compliance with the Machinery Directive
- Preparing technical documentation for CE marking and inspection
Who should use this standard
- Machine designers and OEMs
- Safety engineers and system integrators
- Maintenance teams and plant managers
- Notified bodies, certification bodies and conformity assessors
- Regulators and compliance officers
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 13850:2015, emergency stop, E‑stop, safety of machinery, design principles, functional requirements, machine safety, ISO 13850:2015.
