EN ISO 14120, “Safety of machinery – Guards – General requirements for the design and construction of fixed and movable guards (ISO 14120:2015)”, defines how physical guards on machines are selected, designed and built. Enclosures, covers, fences and doors are expected to keep people away from the hazard zone and to contain ejected parts, chips or fluids. It replaced the earlier EN 953.
Let us take care of EN ISO 14120 testing and the CE marking of your machine together; CE Danışmanı (CE Consultant) manages the whole process.
EN ISO 14120 at a glance
| Edition cited in the EU Official Journal | EN ISO 14120:2015 |
|---|---|
| Official title | Safety of machinery – Guards – General requirements for the design and construction of fixed and movable guards (ISO 14120:2015) |
| Legislation supported | Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC; from 20 January 2027 Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 |
| Type of standard | Type B standard |
Which guards are covered?
The standard applies to all types of guards used against mechanical hazards:
- Fixed guards: enclosures, covers and perimeter fences that can be removed only with a tool
- Movable guards: hinged or sliding doors and covers opened without a tool
- Interlocking movable guards: doors that stop the machine when opened and stay locked where needed
- Adjustable guards: guards set to suit the workpiece, for example on saws and drills
- Self-closing guards: guards that return to position once the workpiece has passed
- Power-operated guards: doors moved by a motor or cylinder
Safety switches fitted to doors belong to EN ISO 14119. The distance of a guard from the hazard and the size of openings are taken from EN ISO 13857.
Main requirements of the standard
- Choice of guard type: It depends on the hazard and the frequency of access: fixed guards where no access is needed, interlocking movable guards where access is frequent.
- Fixing of fixed guards: A fixed guard can be removed only with a tool, and its fasteners stay attached to the guard or the machine.
- Movable guards: They stay attached to the machine when open as far as possible and work together with an interlocking device.
- Strength and containment: Material and thickness must withstand foreseeable impacts and parts that may be ejected from the machine.
- Visibility: Where the process has to be watched, the guard must not obstruct the view; ageing of transparent material is considered.
- Hazards from the guard itself: No sharp edges, crushing or trapping points; power-operated guards must not injure when closing.
- Climbing and defeat: The guard is built to make climbing and defeating difficult.
- Other hazards: Where needed the guard also protects against noise, dust, fluids, heat and radiation.
EN ISO 14120 verification and checks
Verification is by visual inspection, measurement, functional test and, where needed, impact test. The method depends on the purpose of the guard.
| Test or check | What is verified? |
|---|---|
| Visual inspection | Type, fixing and marking of the guard match the design |
| Fixing check | A fixed guard cannot be removed without a tool and the fasteners are not lost |
| Distance and opening measurement | Safety distances to EN ISO 13857 are met |
| Impact test | The guard withstands the impact of a human body or of a part ejected from the machine |
| Functional test of movable guards | The door opens and closes easily and works together with the interlock |
Impact tests matter most on machines that can eject parts, such as machine tools. There the test conditions usually come from the Type C standard for that machine.
Its place in the CE marking process
- Risk assessment: The hazards to be guarded and the need for access to the hazard zone are identified under EN ISO 12100.
- Design: Guard type, material and fixing are chosen to EN ISO 14120.
- Verification: Inspection, measurement and, where needed, an impact test are carried out.
- Technical file: Guard drawings, material data and inspection records go into the technical file.
- Declaration of conformity: EN ISO 14120 is listed among the standards applied.
Conformity with a harmonised standard gives presumption of conformity with the relevant essential requirements of the machinery legislation. Turkey applies the same rules through its own regulation aligned with 2006/42/EC. See also CE marking of machinery.
Standards applied together
- EN ISO 13857: Safety distances for upper and lower limbs
- EN ISO 14119: Interlocking devices associated with guards
- EN ISO 13854: Minimum gaps to avoid crushing
- EN ISO 13855: Positioning of safeguards
Frequently asked questions
Can a hinged cover be used instead of a fixed guard?
Yes, where frequent access is needed, but the movable guard must then have an interlocking device. A cover that opens without a tool and does not stop the machine is not a guard.
Why must the fasteners stay attached?
When removed bolts are lost, the guard is often not refitted or is fixed incompletely. The fasteners are therefore required to stay with the guard or the machine.
Which edition applies?
The edition cited in the EU Official Journal is EN ISO 14120:2015. Check the current citation before testing starts.
Other standards in this group
- EN ISO 13857: Safety Distances
- EN ISO 14119: Interlocking Devices for Guards
- EN ISO 14118: Prevention of Unexpected Start-Up
- EN 60204-1: Electrical Equipment of Machines
