Standards Development

Scope

This document contains general requirements and measures for packaging machinery that performs packaging functions

— to prepare product or packaging material for handling in packaging machinery

— to pack or create packages

— to unpack or disassemble packages

— to inspect product or packaging to ensure the quality or quantity

— to handle, arrange, or dispense product or packaging

— to perform auxiliary functions to enable the execution of packaging functions.

Examples for packaging machines are:

— filling machines

— closing machines

— labelling, decorating and coding machines

— cleaning, sanitizing, cooling and drying machines

— fill and seal machines

— inspection machines

— container and component handling machines

— form, fill and seal machines

— cartoning machines

— wrapping machines

— group packaging machines

— pallet or loading unit forming and dismantling machines

— pallet wrapping machines

— strapping machines

NOTE 1 These machines are used for primary (first) packaging, secondary (second) packaging and tertiary (third) packaging.

The hazards on a specific machine can vary depending on its working principle; the type, size and mass of the product; the packaging material; auxiliary equipment attached to the machine and the environment in which the machine is used.

The requirements of this document can be used for modifying or rebuilding packaging machinery, and for integrating packaging machinery into a system.

This document contains safety requirements and risk reduction measures for the intended use, as well as reasonably foreseeable misuse of packaging machinery for the design, construction, installation, commissioning, operation, adjustment, maintenance and cleaning of packaging machines. This document describes procedures for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and reducing risks to an acceptable level over the life cycle of the machinery. This document also includes requirements for verifying the risk reduction measures to achieve an acceptable risk.

The extent to which hazards, hazardous situations and events are covered is indicated in Annex B.

NOTE 2 It is supposed that the deviations from the requirements of this document are based on a documented risk assessment demonstrating acceptable risk. The requirements of this document are not supposed to inhibit innovation as long as acceptable risk is achieved.

Exclusions

This international standard is not applicable to the following:

— machines that were manufactured before the date of publication of this document

— the use of packaging machines in potentially explosive atmospheres

— conveyors that are not an integrated part of packaging machines

— packaging machinery used by retail consumers

— the risk resulting from the use of machines in public accessed areas.