EN 12547:2014
(Main)Centrifuges - Common safety requirements
General Information
- Abstract
1.1 This European Standard applies to centrifuges for the separation or change in concentration of mixtures of liquids and solids.
It gives requirements to minimize the risks caused by the significant hazards arising during the operation of centrifuges as specified in 1.2.
1.2 This European Standard gives requirements for minimizing the risks caused by the following hazards:
- mechanical hazards common to all types of centrifuges, except those specified in 1.3;
- ergonomical hazards;
- thermal hazards;
- electrical hazards;
- noise.
1.3 Types of centrifuges and hazards excluded
1.3.1 Types of centrifuges excluded:
- centrifuges with a kinetic energy of rotation less than 200 J;
- centrifuges for household use;
- centrifuges for laboratory use according to EN 61010 2 020;
- centrifuges for forming, i.e. centrifugal hot metal casting machines.
1.3.2 Hazards excluded
This European Standard does not deal explicitly with the hazards listed below.
NOTE 1 In cases, where such hazards might occur and could become relevant for the construction of the centrifuge, use specific standards for this hazard or make a risk analysis.
- hazards caused by overpressure or negative pressure inside the centrifuge housing;
- hazards specific to processing radioactive products;
- hazards specific to microbiological processing - including viral and parasitic hazards;
- hazards from processing corrosive and/or erosive materials;
- hazards from processes involving flammable or explosive substances;
- hazards caused by leakage of hazardous substances;
- hazards caused by unsuitable hygienic design for applications involving food products;
- inherent chemical hazards of process materials and/or service media and their biological effects on exposed persons;
NOTE 2 Inherently hazardous substances include toxic, carcinogenic and flammable substances for example. Other substances may be hazardous because of their condition in the centrifuge, i.e. temperature, velocity and vapour pressure.
- hazards due to construction materials;
Materials used in the construction of centrifuges should not be hazardous in the condition in which they are used.
- centrifuges subject to application specific standards (e.g. EN 12505).
NOTE 3 The design of centrifuges covered by EN 12547 varies to the extent that additional hazards may exist that are not covered by the requirements of this standard and is not excluded above. The manufacturer is responsible for providing suitable measures to deal with these hazards as part of a general risk assessment for the machine. Such measures are outside the scope of this standard and the direct responsibility of the manufacturer.
1.3.3 This European Standard gives guidance on the selection of performance levels according to EN ISO 13849 1:2008, but does not identify performance levels for specific applications.
1.4 This European Standard is not applicable to centrifuges which are manufactured before the date of its publication as EN.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 14-Oct-2014
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 313 - Centrifuges - Safety requirements
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 313 - Centrifuges - Safety requirements
- Current Stage
- 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 02-Dec-2025
- Completion Date
- 02-Dec-2025
- 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 12547:2014 - "Centrifuges - Common safety requirements" (CEN) is the European Type C standard that sets safety requirements for centrifuges used for the separation or change in concentration of mixtures of liquids and solids. It defines measures to minimize risks from the most significant hazards encountered during centrifuge operation and supports the Essential Requirements of the EU Machinery Directive (see Annex ZA).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Applies to industrial centrifuges for liquid/solid separation. Excludes units with rotational kinetic energy < 200 J, household centrifuges, laboratory centrifuges covered by EN 61010-2-020, and centrifugal forming (hot metal casting) machines.
- Hazard coverage: Addresses mechanical hazards, ergonomical hazards, thermal hazards, electrical hazards, and noise. Lists significant hazards and guidance for risk mitigation.
- Explicit exclusions: Does not deal explicitly with hazards such as overpressure/underpressure in housings, radioactive or microbiological processing, corrosive/erosive materials, flammable/explosive processes, leakage of hazardous substances, specific hygienic design for food, or inherent chemical/biological material hazards - manufacturers must perform risk analyses where these might occur.
- Safety-related control systems: Gives guidance on selection of Performance Levels per EN ISO 13849-1:2008, and includes an informative example (Annex D) for safety-related control system design.
- Verification and testing: Requires verification of mechanical integrity (rotor failure resistance, vibration endurance), effectiveness of noise control measures, and other protective measures. Annex B is a normative noise test code.
- Information for use: Specifies required documentation, data sheets, installation and maintenance instructions, service/repair guidance, training, markings and warnings.
Practical applications and users
EN 12547:2014 is intended for:
- Centrifuge manufacturers and equipment designers creating industrial separators.
- Safety engineers and compliance officers performing risk assessments and conformity checks.
- Test laboratories verifying mechanical integrity, vibration resistance and noise emissions.
- Purchasers and plant engineers in industries using centrifuges (chemical processing, wastewater, industrial separation) who need to ensure equipment meets European safety requirements.
Manufacturers retain responsibility to address application‑specific hazards not covered by this standard and must document risk assessments and protective measures.
Related standards
- EN ISO 12100 (machine safety - general principles)
- EN ISO 13849-1:2008 (safety-related parts of control systems - performance levels)
- EN 61010-2-020 (laboratory centrifuges - excluded scope)
- EN 12505 (example of application-specific centrifuge standards)
- EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (see Annex ZA)
Keywords: EN 12547:2014, centrifuges safety requirements, centrifuge hazards, mechanical integrity, noise test code, EN ISO 13849-1, risk assessment.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 13-Nov-2010
- Effective Date
- 17-Jun-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-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
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
Get Certified
Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard
ECOCERT
Organic and sustainability certification.
Eurofins Food Testing Global
Global leader in food, environment, and pharmaceutical product testing.
Intertek Bangladesh
Intertek certification and testing services in Bangladesh.
Sponsored listings
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 12547:2014 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Centrifuges - Common safety requirements". This standard covers: 1.1 This European Standard applies to centrifuges for the separation or change in concentration of mixtures of liquids and solids. It gives requirements to minimize the risks caused by the significant hazards arising during the operation of centrifuges as specified in 1.2. 1.2 This European Standard gives requirements for minimizing the risks caused by the following hazards: - mechanical hazards common to all types of centrifuges, except those specified in 1.3; - ergonomical hazards; - thermal hazards; - electrical hazards; - noise. 1.3 Types of centrifuges and hazards excluded 1.3.1 Types of centrifuges excluded: - centrifuges with a kinetic energy of rotation less than 200 J; - centrifuges for household use; - centrifuges for laboratory use according to EN 61010 2 020; - centrifuges for forming, i.e. centrifugal hot metal casting machines. 1.3.2 Hazards excluded This European Standard does not deal explicitly with the hazards listed below. NOTE 1 In cases, where such hazards might occur and could become relevant for the construction of the centrifuge, use specific standards for this hazard or make a risk analysis. - hazards caused by overpressure or negative pressure inside the centrifuge housing; - hazards specific to processing radioactive products; - hazards specific to microbiological processing - including viral and parasitic hazards; - hazards from processing corrosive and/or erosive materials; - hazards from processes involving flammable or explosive substances; - hazards caused by leakage of hazardous substances; - hazards caused by unsuitable hygienic design for applications involving food products; - inherent chemical hazards of process materials and/or service media and their biological effects on exposed persons; NOTE 2 Inherently hazardous substances include toxic, carcinogenic and flammable substances for example. Other substances may be hazardous because of their condition in the centrifuge, i.e. temperature, velocity and vapour pressure. - hazards due to construction materials; Materials used in the construction of centrifuges should not be hazardous in the condition in which they are used. - centrifuges subject to application specific standards (e.g. EN 12505). NOTE 3 The design of centrifuges covered by EN 12547 varies to the extent that additional hazards may exist that are not covered by the requirements of this standard and is not excluded above. The manufacturer is responsible for providing suitable measures to deal with these hazards as part of a general risk assessment for the machine. Such measures are outside the scope of this standard and the direct responsibility of the manufacturer. 1.3.3 This European Standard gives guidance on the selection of performance levels according to EN ISO 13849 1:2008, but does not identify performance levels for specific applications. 1.4 This European Standard is not applicable to centrifuges which are manufactured before the date of its publication as EN.
1.1 This European Standard applies to centrifuges for the separation or change in concentration of mixtures of liquids and solids. It gives requirements to minimize the risks caused by the significant hazards arising during the operation of centrifuges as specified in 1.2. 1.2 This European Standard gives requirements for minimizing the risks caused by the following hazards: - mechanical hazards common to all types of centrifuges, except those specified in 1.3; - ergonomical hazards; - thermal hazards; - electrical hazards; - noise. 1.3 Types of centrifuges and hazards excluded 1.3.1 Types of centrifuges excluded: - centrifuges with a kinetic energy of rotation less than 200 J; - centrifuges for household use; - centrifuges for laboratory use according to EN 61010 2 020; - centrifuges for forming, i.e. centrifugal hot metal casting machines. 1.3.2 Hazards excluded This European Standard does not deal explicitly with the hazards listed below. NOTE 1 In cases, where such hazards might occur and could become relevant for the construction of the centrifuge, use specific standards for this hazard or make a risk analysis. - hazards caused by overpressure or negative pressure inside the centrifuge housing; - hazards specific to processing radioactive products; - hazards specific to microbiological processing - including viral and parasitic hazards; - hazards from processing corrosive and/or erosive materials; - hazards from processes involving flammable or explosive substances; - hazards caused by leakage of hazardous substances; - hazards caused by unsuitable hygienic design for applications involving food products; - inherent chemical hazards of process materials and/or service media and their biological effects on exposed persons; NOTE 2 Inherently hazardous substances include toxic, carcinogenic and flammable substances for example. Other substances may be hazardous because of their condition in the centrifuge, i.e. temperature, velocity and vapour pressure. - hazards due to construction materials; Materials used in the construction of centrifuges should not be hazardous in the condition in which they are used. - centrifuges subject to application specific standards (e.g. EN 12505). NOTE 3 The design of centrifuges covered by EN 12547 varies to the extent that additional hazards may exist that are not covered by the requirements of this standard and is not excluded above. The manufacturer is responsible for providing suitable measures to deal with these hazards as part of a general risk assessment for the machine. Such measures are outside the scope of this standard and the direct responsibility of the manufacturer. 1.3.3 This European Standard gives guidance on the selection of performance levels according to EN ISO 13849 1:2008, but does not identify performance levels for specific applications. 1.4 This European Standard is not applicable to centrifuges which are manufactured before the date of its publication as EN.
EN 12547:2014 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 71.040.20 - Laboratory ware and related apparatus. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 12547:2014 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 12547:1999+A1:2009, ISO 8598:1996, EN 60529:1991, EN IEC 61000-6-4:2019, EN 61310-1:2008, EN IEC 61000-6-2:2019, EN IEC 62061:2021, EN 894-2:1997+A1:2008, EN ISO 13854:2019, EN 953:1997+A1:2009, EN ISO 5817:2014, EN ISO 13857:2008, EN ISO 13732-1:2008, EN ISO 13849-1:2008, EN 2286:1989. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 12547:2014 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2006/42/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/396. 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 12547:2014 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.Centrifuge - Splošne varnostne zahteveZentrifugen - Allgemeine SicherheitsanforderungenCentrifugeuses - Prescriptions communes de sécuritéCentrifuges - Common safety requirements71.120.99Druga oprema za kemijsko industrijoOther equipment for the chemical industryICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 12547:2014SIST EN 12547:2015en,fr,de01-januar-2015SIST EN 12547:2015SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 12547:2000+A1:20091DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 12547
October 2014 ICS 71.040.20 Supersedes EN 12547:1999+A1:2009English Version
Centrifuges - Common safety requirements
Centrifugeuses - Prescriptions communes de sécurité
Zentrifugen - Allgemeine Sicherheitsanforderungen This European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 August 2014.
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 © 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 12547:2014 ESIST EN 12547:2015
...