EN 12882:2015
(Main)Conveyor belts for general purpose use - Electrical and flammability safety requirements
General Information
- Abstract
This European Standard specifies electrical and flammability safety requirements for general purpose conveyor belts not intended for use in underground installations and a means of categorizing conveyor belts in terms of the level of safety sought in their end use application. This European Standard does not provide electrical safety requirements for volume resistance which may be measured by the methods in EN ISO 21178 and which is relevant to some types of light conveyor belts.
This European Standard is not applicable to conveyor belts which are manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN.
NOTE 1 Directive 94/9/EC concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres can be applicable to the type of machine or equipment covered by this European Standard. The present standard is not intended to provide means of complying with the essential health and safety requirements of Directive 94/9/EC, this being covered in EN 14973.
NOTE 2 EN 12882 is not a product standard but is intended to help users of conveyor belts to select the required electrical and flammability safety properties needed following a suitable risk assessment. No requirements are, therefore, included for marking, information to be supplied, etc., these matters being covered in relevant product standards such as EN ISO 14890 and EN ISO 15236 1.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 04-Aug-2015
- Withdrawal Date
- 28-Feb-2016
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 188 - Conveyor belts
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 188/WG 3 - Safety requirements for conveyor belting
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 04-Oct-2021
- Completion Date
- 17-Sep-2026
- Directive
- Harmonized Standard2006/42/EC - Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery, and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast)OJ Ref: C, C 14 OJ Date: 15-Jan-2016
Overview
EN 12882:2015 is a CEN (European) standard that defines electrical and flammability safety requirements for general‑purpose conveyor belts (not for underground use). It is intended to help users and specifiers select the appropriate safety level for a belt after carrying out a risk assessment. EN 12882:2015 is not a product standard and does not replace marking or information requirements contained in product standards. Light conveyor belts have restricted assignment to the lower safety categories.
Key topics and technical requirements
Scope and purpose
- Specifies safety requirements and a categorization scheme (Categories 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C) to match end‑use risk levels.
- Not applicable to belts manufactured before the publication date.
Electrical safety / electrostatic control
- General belts: tested per EN ISO 284 for electrical conductivity.
- Light conveyor belts: surface potential limits (≤ 1 000 V) measured per EN ISO 21179; volume resistance (EN ISO 21178) is not used for category allocation here.
- Note: extreme service conditions (e.g., non‑conductive bulk goods) may require additional electrostatic measures.
Flame retardation (small‑scale tests)
- EN ISO 340 laboratory flammability tests on cover intact and, for some categories, with covers removed.
- Aggregate afterflame time limits: < 45 s for six tests and no single result > 15 s (where applicable).
Fire simulation (propane burner / gallery)
- Method A, C or D of EN 12881-1:2014 applied to higher categories (4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C) to verify retained undamaged length after a simulated fire.
Drum friction / frictional heating
- EN 1554:2012 drum friction tests: categories 3A/3B require no flame for 60 min (Method B1, 343 N); higher categories require longer durations (up to 150 min) and additional constraints (no glowing; drum temperature ≤ 400 °C for 5C).
Limitations
- Light conveyor belts can only be assigned to Categories 1, 2A or 2B because some test methods are not applicable.
Applications and users
EN 12882:2015 is used by:
- Conveyor belt manufacturers and material suppliers (to classify belts by safety category)
- Plant designers, safety engineers and integrators (to select appropriate belts after risk assessment)
- Procurement teams specifying belt safety criteria for manufacturing, material handling, ports, recycling and general‑purpose conveyors
- Test laboratories performing EN ISO 284, EN ISO 340, EN 12881‑1 and EN 1554 test methods
Practical benefits include reduced fire and electrostatic risks, clearer selection guidance, and harmonized safety benchmarking across Europe.
Related standards
- EN ISO 284 (electrical conductivity)
- EN ISO 340 (laboratory flammability)
- EN 12881‑1 (fire simulation tests)
- EN 1554 (drum friction testing)
- EN ISO 21178 / EN ISO 21179 / EN ISO 21183 (light conveyor belts)
- Product standards referenced for marking/info: EN ISO 14890, EN ISO 15236‑1
Keywords: EN 12882:2015, conveyor belts, electrical safety, flammability, fire simulation, drum friction, electrostatic, CEN standard.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 12-Aug-2015
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Refers
EN ISO 21178:2020 - Light conveyor belts - Determination of electrical resistances (ISO 21178:2020) - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 01-Jul-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Get Certified
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CIS Institut d.o.o.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) certification body. Notified Body NB-2890 for EU Regulation 2016/425 PPE.
Kiwa BDA Testing
Building and construction product certification.
Kmetijski inštitut Slovenije
Agricultural Institute of Slovenia. Soil testing, plant health, agricultural product analysis.
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 12882:2015 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Conveyor belts for general purpose use - Electrical and flammability safety requirements". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies electrical and flammability safety requirements for general purpose conveyor belts not intended for use in underground installations and a means of categorizing conveyor belts in terms of the level of safety sought in their end use application. This European Standard does not provide electrical safety requirements for volume resistance which may be measured by the methods in EN ISO 21178 and which is relevant to some types of light conveyor belts. This European Standard is not applicable to conveyor belts which are manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN. NOTE 1 Directive 94/9/EC concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres can be applicable to the type of machine or equipment covered by this European Standard. The present standard is not intended to provide means of complying with the essential health and safety requirements of Directive 94/9/EC, this being covered in EN 14973. NOTE 2 EN 12882 is not a product standard but is intended to help users of conveyor belts to select the required electrical and flammability safety properties needed following a suitable risk assessment. No requirements are, therefore, included for marking, information to be supplied, etc., these matters being covered in relevant product standards such as EN ISO 14890 and EN ISO 15236 1.
This European Standard specifies electrical and flammability safety requirements for general purpose conveyor belts not intended for use in underground installations and a means of categorizing conveyor belts in terms of the level of safety sought in their end use application. This European Standard does not provide electrical safety requirements for volume resistance which may be measured by the methods in EN ISO 21178 and which is relevant to some types of light conveyor belts. This European Standard is not applicable to conveyor belts which are manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN. NOTE 1 Directive 94/9/EC concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres can be applicable to the type of machine or equipment covered by this European Standard. The present standard is not intended to provide means of complying with the essential health and safety requirements of Directive 94/9/EC, this being covered in EN 14973. NOTE 2 EN 12882 is not a product standard but is intended to help users of conveyor belts to select the required electrical and flammability safety properties needed following a suitable risk assessment. No requirements are, therefore, included for marking, information to be supplied, etc., these matters being covered in relevant product standards such as EN ISO 14890 and EN ISO 15236 1.
EN 12882:2015 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products; 53.040.20 - Components for conveyors. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 12882:2015 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 12882:2008, EN ISO 21183-1:2006, EN 1554:2012, EN ISO 21179:2013, EN ISO 21178:2020, EN ISO 340:2022, EN 12881-1:2014, EN ISO 284:2025, EN ISO 14890:2026, EN ISO 15236-1:2005, EN ISO 14890:2003, EN ISO 25619-1:2008, EN ISO 13428:2005, EN ISO 15236-1:2016, EN ISO 12958:2010. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 12882:2015 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2006/42/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/396, M/BC/CEN/88/13. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
EN 12882:2015 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Fördergurte für allgemeine Anwendung - Elektrische und brandtechnische SicherheitsanforderungenCourroies transporteuses à usage général - Prescriptions de sécurité électrique et protection contre l'inflammabilitéConveyor belts for general purpose use - Electrical and flammability safety requirements53.040.20Deli za transporterjeComponents for conveyors13.220.40Sposobnost vžiga in obnašanje materialov in proizvodov pri gorenjuIgnitability and burning behaviour of materials and productsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 12882:2015SIST EN 12882:2015en,fr,de01-oktober-2015SIST EN 12882:2015SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 12882:20081DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 12882
August 2015 ICS 53.040.20 Supersedes EN 12882:2008English Version
Conveyor belts for general purpose use - Electrical and flammability safety requirements
Courroies transporteuses à usage général - Prescriptions de sécurité électrique et protection contre l'inflammabilité
Fördergurte für allgemeine Anwendung - Elektrische und brandtechnische Sicherheitsanforderungen This European Standard was approved by CEN on 27 June 2015.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2015 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 12882:2015 ESIST EN 12882:2015
Suggested belt approval / certification options . 12 Annex ZA (informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential Requirements of EC Directive 2006/42/EC . 13 Bibliography . 14
EN 1554:2012, Conveyor belts - Drum friction testing EN 12881-1:2014, Conveyor belts - Fire simulation flammability testing - Part 1: Propane burner tests EN ISO 284, Conveyor belts - Electrical conductivity - Specification and test method (ISO 284) EN ISO 340, Conveyor belts - Laboratory scale flammability characteristics - Requirements and test method (ISO 340) EN ISO 21178, Light conveyor belts - Determination of electrical resistances (ISO 21178) EN ISO 21179, Light conveyor belts - Determination of the electrostatic field generated by a running light conveyor belt (ISO 21179) EN ISO 21183-1, Light conveyor belts - Part 1: Principal characteristics and applications (ISO 21183-1) 3 Terms and definitions For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply. 3.1 afterflame flame which persists after the ignition source has been removed 3.2 afterglow persistence of glowing, after cessation of flaming or, if no flaming occurs, after the ignition source has been removed SIST EN 12882:2015
4.2.2 Light conveyor belts as described in EN ISO 21183-1 shall have an electrical surface resistance not EN ISO 21178 unless the conditions described in 4.2.3 are met. 4.2.3 Light conveyor belts with an internal conductive layer shall not generate an electrostatic charge resulting in a surface potential of more than 1 000 V when test
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