BS EN IEC 62061:2021

What is BS EN IEC 62061 about?

BS EN IEC 62061 discusses the safety of machinery. BS EN IEC 62061 specifies requirements and makes recommendations for the design, integration and validation of safety-related control systems (SCS) for machines.

BS EN IEC 62061 is applicable to control systems used, either singly or in combination, to carry out safety functions on machines that are not portable by hand while working, including a group of machines working together in a coordinated manner. BS EN IEC 62061 is a machinery sector-specific standard, concerned only with functional safety requirements intended to reduce risks of hazardous situations.

BS EN IEC 62061 is restricted to risks arising directly from the hazards of the machine itself or from a group of machines working together in a coordinated manner.

Note: BS EN IEC 62061 does not apply to –

• The design of complex programmable electronic subsystems or subsystem elements
• Electrical hazards arising from the electrical control equipment itself (e.g. electric shock - see IEC 60204-1)
• Other safety requirements necessary at the machine level such as safeguarding
• Specific measures for security aspects – see IEC TR 63074
• Is not intended to limit or inhibit technological advancement

Who is BS EN IEC 62061 for?

BS EN IEC 62061 on safety-related control systems is applicable to:

• Machinery designers
• Control system manufacturers and integrators
• Design and development personnel
• Manufacturers of machines
• Dealers and importers of machines

Why should you use BS EN IEC 62061?

As a result of automation, demand for increased production and reduced operator physical effort, Safety-related Control Systems (referred to as SCS) of machines play an increasing role in the achievement of overall machine safety.

BS EN IEC 62061 provides a machine sector specific framework for functional safety of an SCS of machines. BS EN IEC 62061 gives a methodology and requirements to:

• Assign the required safety integrity for each safety function to be implemented by SCS
• Enable the design of the SCS appropriate to the assigned safety (control) function(s)
• Integrate safety-related subsystems designed in accordance with other applicable functional safety-related standards