Overview
EN ISO 4254-11:2010/A1:2020 is an amendment to the international safety standard for pick-up balers used in agriculture. Published by CEN in 2020, this document updates EN ISO 4254-11:2010 and is intended to be used together with ISO 4254-1. The amendment clarifies scope and normative references, adds specific requirements for machines combined with bale wrappers, and refines guarding and hazard controls to support conformity with EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and application
- Covers self‑propelled and trailed pick‑up balers, including when combined with bale wrappers (except wrapping functions).
- Intended to be used together with ISO 4254-1 for a complete hazard coverage.
- Normative references
- Risk assessment and design principles
- Reinforces use of ISO 12100 for risk assessment and design choices.
- Emphasizes removing risks from blockages by design where practicable; if deviation is necessary, the manufacturer must document risk assessment and design specification.
- Guarding and protective measures
- Crushing and shearing points within 550 mm of the machine outer limit must be guarded per ISO 13857.
- Specific guarding for lateral crop‑conveying elements: auger guards must extend forward from the rear to at least the auger longitudinal axis; alternative devices require comparable top guarding.
- Combination solutions (lateral fixed guard + distance barrier + front/side barriers) are recognized where dimensions of the amended Figure 3 are respected.
- Terminology and hazard listing
- Terms and definitions aligned with ISO 12100 and ISO 4254-1; the amendment updates entries specific to pick-up, feeding element, and assisted areas.
- Annex ZA / regulatory alignment
- Annex ZA maps clauses to essential requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC (amended by 2009/127/EC), supporting presumption of conformity when cited in the Official Journal.
Practical applications and users
This amendment is relevant to:
- Manufacturers and designers of pick‑up balers and integrated baler/wrapper combinations implementing safety by design.
- Safety engineers and conformity assessors performing risk assessments and preparing technical documentation for CE marking.
- Standards bodies and test laboratories applying updated guarding, measurement and verification criteria.
- Purchasers and fleet operators who require machinery compliant with EU safety requirements.
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 4254-11:2010/A1:2020, pick‑up balers, agricultural machinery safety, bale wrappers, ISO 4254-14, ISO 12100, guarding, risk assessment, Machinery Directive.
