EN 415-10, “Safety of packaging machines – Part 10: General Requirements”, is the type C standard for the hazards common to all packaging machines and the measures against them. On a packaging machine the operator intervenes often: threading film, clearing jams, changing format. The standard sets out the rules on guards, controls and information that make these interventions safe.
Let us take care of EN 415-10 testing and the CE marking of your machine together; CE Danışmanı (CE Consultant) manages the whole process.
EN 415-10 at a glance
| Edition cited in the EU Official Journal | EN 415-10:2014 |
|---|---|
| Official title | Safety of packaging machines – Part 10: General Requirements |
| Legislation supported | Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC; from 20 January 2027 Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 |
| Type of standard | Type C standard |
Which machines does it cover?
The standard covers machines that put a product into primary, secondary or transport packaging, with their associated equipment. Where the EN 415 series has a part for the machine type, the two are applied together; otherwise this part is applied alone. Typical examples:
- Filling and closing machines
- Form, fill and seal machines
- Wrapping, shrink and stretch machines
- Case packers and cartoners
- Palletisers, pallet wrappers and strapping machines
Unit load conveyors in the line are dealt with in EN 619 and robot palletising in the robot standards.
Main requirements of the standard
- Protection against moving parts: Crushing, cutting and drawing-in points are closed off with fixed or interlocking movable guards; product openings are sized according to safety distances.
- Interlocking and guard locking: Dangerous movement stops when a guard is opened; where the stopping time is long the guard stays locked until movement has ended.
- Modes for setting and fault clearing: With a guard open, movement is possible only at reduced speed with hold-to-run control.
- Hot surfaces and knives: Sealing jaws, hot-melt units and blades are protected against contact and marked.
- Pneumatic and hydraulic energy: Means are provided to isolate and dissipate energy and to prevent unexpected movement.
- Hygiene: Machines that pack food, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics need a cleanable design and suitable materials.
- Hazards from the product: Measures against dust, flammable products, protective gases and static electricity.
- Ergonomics, noise and information for use: Handling of reels and format parts is made easier; noise is measured and declared; cleaning and residual risks are explained.
Verification and tests under EN 415-10
The standard names the verification method for each safety measure. Checks are made on the machine.
| Test or check | What is verified? |
|---|---|
| Visual inspection | Guards, marking and warnings are complete |
| Measurement of openings and distances | The danger zone cannot be reached through guard openings |
| Interlock functional test | Movement stops when a guard is opened and does not restart by itself |
| Stopping time and temperature measurement | Whether guard locking is needed; accessible surfaces stay below burn thresholds or are guarded |
| Noise and electrical tests | Emission value at the work station; verification measurements to EN 60204-1 |
Results are recorded in the test report. The safety-related parts of the control system are validated separately.
Where it fits in CE marking
- Risk assessment: The hazards of the machine and of the packed product are identified under EN ISO 12100.
- Design: Guards, interlocks and modes are designed to EN 415-10 and, where it exists, to the part for the machine type.
- Verification: Measurements and functional tests are carried out on the machine.
- Technical file: Risk assessment, diagrams and the test report go into the technical file.
- Declaration of conformity: EN 415-10 is listed among the standards applied.
Conformity with a harmonised standard gives presumption of conformity with the essential requirements it covers; see CE marking of machinery.
Standards applied together
- The machine-specific parts of the EN 415 series
- EN ISO 14120 and EN ISO 14119: guards and interlocking devices
- EN 60204-1: electrical equipment of the machine
- EN ISO 13857 and EN ISO 4414: safety distances and pneumatic systems
- EN 1672-2: hygiene requirements for food processing machinery
Frequently asked questions
If the EN 415 series has a part for my machine, which one applies?
Both. The specific part gives the rules for the machine type and refers to this part for the general requirements.
Is a packaging line one machine?
Machines linked to work together form an assembly of machinery; the line as a whole is assessed in addition.
Which edition applies?
The edition cited in the EU Official Journal is EN 415-10:2014. The current citation should be checked before testing starts.
Other standards in this group
- EN ISO 10218-1: Industrial Robots
- EN ISO 10218-2: Robot Systems and Integration
- EN 619: Unit Load Conveyors
- EN ISO 19085-1: Woodworking Machines Common Requirements
