With the introduction of the New Approach, the EU transferred the responsibility for the realization of occupational health and safety for technical work equipment to private standardization. This opportunity for the parties concerned to determine the state of the art was initially met with major enthusiasm.

The Machinery Directive (98/37/EC) is without doubt one of the most important Directives within the scope of the „New Approach”. Its publication in 1989 formed the basis for the free movement of goods within the European single market in the machinery sector. According to this, manufacturers and their authorized representatives in the Community may only put those products into circulation which comply with the requirements of Annex I of the Directive.

DIN EN 1501-1 Refuse collection vehicles

Interview with Mr Riekeles

Extract from the speech by the Chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Occupational Safety in Europe, Mr. Kleinherne, at the Meeting of Members 1/99 on 27 May 1999 in Koblenz

In order to be able to use international standards for the removal of technical barriers to trade in accordance with the WTO/TBT agreement, KAN has proposed the creation of international equivalents to the essential safety and health requirements of the EC Directives (cf. KANBRIEF 1/99).

In the agreement between the Federal Government and the German Standards Institute (DIN) of 5 June 19751, DIN undertook to take account of public interest in its standards work. DIN fulfils this obligation, for example, by conceding seats in steering committees, involving official bodies and giving preferential treatment to applications for standardization which are of public interest.

EN 441 is concerned with the technical requirements which refrigerated display cabinets must meet. These include chests, counters or cabinets from which chilled or frozen food is sold. According to manufacturers’ information, such cabinets should be classified as machinery and must therefore meet all the requirements of the Machinery Directive, i.e. ergonomic needs must also be considered.

Biological agents, such as living cells, cell constituents and genetically modified micro-organisms, are being used increasingly in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and chemical products. Since these agents are not always without risk for humans and the environment, occupational health and safety measures are required.

„Occupational health and safety and standardization – general conditions in electrical engineering”

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