Overview
EN ISO 14123-1:2015 (ISO 14123-1:2015) - published by CEN/ISO - gives principles and specifications for machinery manufacturers to reduce health risks from hazardous substances emitted by machinery. It is a type‑B1 machine safety standard (per ISO 12100) that complements machine‑specific (type‑C) standards. The standard addresses identification, assessment and control of exposure to hazardous substances emitted by machines, excluding hazards that arise solely from explosive, flammable or radioactive properties or extreme temperature/pressure behaviour.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Risk assessment: Manufacturers must identify hazards and assess foreseeable risks throughout the machine life cycle (design, operation, maintenance, disposal). ISO 12100 is referenced for risk‑assessment methodology.
- Types of emissions: Differentiates airborne emissions (dusts, fumes, vapours, gases) and non‑airborne emissions (contaminated surfaces, deposits, leaks) and considers exposure pathways.
- Risk reduction hierarchy: Requires elimination and/or reduction of risks by design, safeguarding and protective measures consistent with ISO 12100 principles.
- Protective measures: Guidance (including informative Annex A) on engineering controls, enclosure, ventilation, filtration, local extraction, material selection and other measures to reduce exposure.
- Information for use and maintenance: Specifies required information to be provided in instructions (intended use, residual risks, safe maintenance procedures) so users and service personnel can manage exposure.
- Verification: Calls for verification of safety requirements and protective measures to ensure implemented controls are effective.
- Scope limitations: Not applicable where health hazards arise solely from explosive, flammable, radioactive properties or behaviour at temperature/pressure extremes.
Practical applications and users
- Machine manufacturers use ISO 14123-1 to design machines that minimize emissions and comply with machinery safety obligations.
- Standards writers and authors of type‑C (machine‑specific) standards use it as guidance when addressing hazardous substance emissions.
- Health & safety regulators and market surveillance bodies use it to interpret conformity and enforcement expectations.
- Employers, machine users and maintenance/service providers rely on the standard’s requirements and information for safe operation, servicing and occupational hygiene.
- Applies across industries where machinery can emit chemical or biological agents - e.g., manufacturing, metalworking, woodworking, food processing and laboratory equipment.
Related standards
- ISO 12100 - General principles for design, risk assessment and risk reduction (normative reference).
- ISO 14123-2 - Methodology leading to verification procedures (companion part).
- European conformity: EN ISO 14123-1:2015 supports presumption of conformity with aspects of EU Directive 2006/42/EC (see Annex ZA).
Keywords: ISO 14123-1, EN ISO 14123-1:2015, safety of machinery, hazardous substances, emissions, risk assessment, machinery manufacturers, industrial hygiene, machine safety standard.
