EN 12852:2001

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2002
Stroji za predelavo hrane - Naprave za predelavo hrane in mešalniki - Varnostne in
higienske zahteve
Food processing machinery - Food processors and blenders - Safety and hygiene
requirements
Nahrungsmittelmaschinen - Vertikalkutter und Mixer - Sicherheits- und
Hygieneanforderungen
Machines pour les produits alimentaires - Préparateurs culinaires et blenders -
Prescriptions relatives a la sécurité et a l'hygiene
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 12852:2001
ICS:
67.260 Tovarne in oprema za Plants and equipment for the
živilsko industrijo food industry
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 12852
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2001
ICS 67.260
English version
Food processing machinery - Food processors and blenders -
Safety and hygiene requirements
Machines pour les produits alimentaires - Préparateurs Nahrungsmittelmaschinen - Vertikalkutter und Mixer -
culinaires et blenders - Prescriptions relatives à la sécurité Sicherheits- und Hygieneanforderungen
et à l'hygiène
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 April 2001.
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 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 Management Centre has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2001 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12852:2001 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Page 2
Contents
Foreword.3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .5
2 Normative references .6
3 Terms and definitions - Description .7
4 List of hazards.10
5 Safety and hygiene requirements and/or measures .12
6 Verification of safety and hygiene requirements and/or measures.19
7 Information for use .20
Annex A (normative) Noise test code for food processors and blenders (grade 2 of accuracy) .22
Annex B (normative) Principles of design to ensure the cleanability of food processors and blenders.24
Annex C (informative) Interlocking device combined with the food processor cover when this is
removable .42
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship of this document with EC Directives.44
Bibliography .45

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Foreword
This European Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 153 "Food processing machinery -
Safety and hygiene specifications", the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or
by endorsement, at the latest by November 2001, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest
by November 2001.
It is one of a series of standards on the design and construction of machines used in catering:

vegetable cutting machines;

catering attachments for machines having an auxiliary drive hub;

food processors and blenders;

hand-held blenders and whisks;

beam mixers;

salad dryers;

vegetable peelers;

cooking kettles equipped with stirrer and/or mixer.
This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EC Directive(s).
For relationship with EC Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this standard.
The annexes A and B are normative. Annex C is informative.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Page 4
Introduction
The use of food processors and blenders generates various mechanical and other risks.
Their extensive use in numerous countries justifies the need of a standard covering both safety and the hazards to
food hygiene arising from machine design complementary to prEN 1672-1:1994 and EN 1672-2:1997 which state
common requirements for food processing machines.
This European standard has been prepared to be a harmonised standard to provide one means of conformity with
the essential safety and hygiene requirements of the Machinery Directive and associated EFTA Regulations.
This European standard is a type C standard as stated in EN 1070:1998.
The machinery concerned and the extent to which hazards, hazardous situations and events are covered are
indicated in the scope of this standard.
When provisions of this type C standard are different from those which are stated in type A or B standards, the
provisions of this type C standard take precedence over the provisions of the other standards, for machines that
have been designed and built according to the provisions of this type C standard.

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1 Scope
1.1 This European standard specifies the safety and hygiene requirements for the design and manufacture of
food processors and blenders.
It applies to food processors and blenders having a bowl which is stationary while the food is being processed.
The total volume of the bowl is less than or equal to 150 l.
The machines covered by this standard are intended to carry out various types of operations such as : mincing,
mixing, blending, whipping, using a large number of products and raw materials, and which are used in food and
catering industries such as restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and pubs.
This standard applies when such machines are used under the intended conditions of use as defined in 3.12 of
EN 292-1:1991 and stated in the instruction handbook (see 7.1), including cleaning, removal of food blockages,
feeding and changing the tools.
1.2 This standard does not apply to :

domestic machines;

machinery dedicated to food industrial processing (e.g. pet food, cannery industry, industrial meat processing).
Small machines called "shakers" which are dedicated to blending liquid, with an impellor, usually driven from above
are excluded.
1.3 This standard covers significant hazards at such machines, as identified by risk assessment (see
EN 1050:1996), which are listed in clause 4 of this standard. In addition machinery shall comply as appropriate with
EN 292 and prEN 1672-1:1994 for hazards which are not covered by this standard.
1.4
This standard does not deal with:

vibration hazard;

thermal hazard;

hazard due to pressure.
1.5 This standard applies primarily to machines which are manufactured after its date of issue.

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2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. For
dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European
Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies (including amendments).
EN 292-1:1991, Safety of machinery - Basic concepts, general principles for design - Part 1 : Basic terminology,
methodology.
EN 292-2:1991, Safety of machinery - Basic concepts, general principles for design - Part 2 : Technical principles
and specifications.
EN 292-2/A1:1995, Safety of machinery - Basic concepts, general principles for design - Part 2 : Technical
principles and specifications.
EN 294:1992, Safety of machinery - Safety distances to prevent danger zones being reached by the upper limbs.
EN 614-1:1995, Safety of machinery - Ergonomic design principles - Part 1 : Terminology and general principles.
EN 953:1997, Safety of machinery - General requirements for the design and construction of fixed and movable
guards.
EN 954-1:1996, Safety of machinery - Safety related parts of control systems - Part 1 : General principles for
design.
prEN 1005-3:1993, Safety of machinery - Human physical performance - Part 3 : Recommended force limits for
machinery operation.
EN 1070:1998, Safety of machinery – Terminology.
EN 1088:1995, Safety of machinery - Interlocking devices associated with guards - Principles for design and
selection.
prEN 1672-1:1994, Food processing machinery - Basic concepts - Part 1 : Safety requirements.
EN 1672-2:1997, Food processing machinery - Basic concepts - Part 2 : Hygiene requirements.
EN 50081-1:1992, Electromagnetic compatibility - Generic emission standard - Part 1 : Residential, commercial
and light industry.
EN 50081-2:1993, Electromagnetic compatibility - Generic emission standard - Part 2 : Industrial environment.
EN 50082-1:1992, Electromagnetic compatibility - Generic immunity - Part 1 : Residential, commercial and light
industry.
EN 60204-1:1997, Safety of machinery - Electrical equipment of machines - Part 1 : General requirements.
EN 60529:1991, Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code).
EN 60947-2:1995, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear - Part 2 : Circuit -breakers.
EN 61000-6-2:1999, Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 6-2 : Generic standards - Immunity for industrial
environments (IEC 61000-6-2:1999).
EN ISO 3744:1995, Acoustics - Determination of sound power levels of noise sources - Engineering method
employing an enveloping measurement surface in an essentially free field over a reflecting plane.
EN ISO 4871:1996, Acoustics - Declaration and verification of noise emission values of machinery and equipment.

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EN ISO 11201:1995, Acoustics - Noise emitted by machinery and equipment - Measurement of emission sound
pressure levels at the work station and at other specified positions - Engineering method in an essentially free field
over a reflecting plane.
EN ISO 11688-1:1998, Acoustics – Recommended practice for the design of low noise machinery and equipment –
Part 1 : Planning.
ISO 468:1982, Surface roughness - Parameters, their values and general rules for specifying requirements.
3 Terms and definitions - Description
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this standard, terms and definitions given in EN 1070:1998 and the following apply :
3.1.1
nominal volume, V
n
manufacturer's declared intended working volume of food processed (see 7.1.d)
3.1.2
total volume, V
t
total volume that the bowl can physically contain
3.1.3
removable
can be removed and put back by means of basic hand tools
3.1.4
easily removable
can be removed and put back easily by one person without the use of tools
3.1.5
bumper point
fixed part which limits the movement of the bowl, at the lowest position
3.2 Description
The essential difference between a food processor and a blender is the geometric shape of the working bowl and
the speed of the tools, which make the blender able to work with a liquid base, and the food processor able to work
with or without a liquid base (see figures 1, 2 and 3)
L is the distance between the upper edge of the aperture and the upper blade of the tool. D is the circumscribed
diameter of the aperture.
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For those machines, three types are defined :

type 1 : machines for which V < 5 l
t

type 2 : machines for which 5 l  V
 25 l and with a total power rating P  3 kW
t

type 3 : machines for which 25 l < V  150 l or with a total power rating P > 3 kW

t
Key
1 : Cover or lid
2 : Housing
3 : Motor
4 : Shaft
5 : Tool
6 : Bowl
Figure 1 — Example of a blender

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Key
1 : Cover or lid
2 : Housing
3 : Motor
4 : Shaft
5 : Tool
6 : Bowl
Figure 2 — Example of a food processor Figure 3 — Example of a food processor with tilting
bowl
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4 List of hazards
This standard covers the following significant hazards related to intended conditions of use.
NOTE If the machine is not used under the above conditions, the manufacturer should, when informed of such a situation,
check by a new risk analysis that the preventive measures remain valid and sufficient.
4.1 Mechanical hazards
4.1.1 Access to the danger zones
Mechanical hazards arise from contact with the moving tool, the tilting device and the drive mechanism (see
figure 4).
The hazards may arise by :

zone 1 : reaching into the bowl and contacting the moving tool
Hazard of cutting fingers;

zone 2 : tool drive shaft
Hazard of cutting fingers with rotating shaft;


zone 3 : access to the drive mechanism
Hazard of crushing hands;

zone 4 : tilting zone of the bowl
Hazard of crushing arms and hands;

zone 5 : ejection of blades in the event of breakage
Hazard of cutting or penetration to body.

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Figure 4a — On a blender Figure 4b — On a food processor
Figure 4c — Zone 4 - On a food processor with tilting bowl
Figure 4 — Danger zones
4.1.2 Loss of stability
Hazards of crushing and impact to the body.
4.1.3 Incorrect assembly and fitting
Hazards of cutting and impact to the fingers or hands.

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4.1.4 Handling, cleaning and storage of cutting devices
Hazards of cutting and impact to the fingers and hands.
4.2 Electrical hazards
Hazards of electric shock by direct or indirect contact with live parts.
4.3 Hazards generated by neglecting hygiene principles in machine design
4.3.1 Hazards to the operator
Hazards from the food being processed, e.g. inhalation of flour, sugar, … and from the cleaning agents used to
disinfect the machine.
NOTE See also prEN 1672-1:1994 which deals with the hygiene risk to the operator.
4.3.2 Hazards to the consumer
Inability to clean food and splash areas effectively and thoroughly.
Contamination of the food by undesirable materials including residues of food, microbiological organisms as well as
residues of cleaning and disinfecting fluids.
4.4 Hazards generated by neglecting ergonomic principles in machine design
Neglecting ergonomic principles can cause mistakes in operation of controls or physical injury to the operator due
to over-reaching, heavy loads, akward posture, etc.
4.5 Noise
Noise may be a hazard resulting in:

permanent loss of hearing;

tinnitus;


tiredness, stress, etc.
5 Safety and hygiene requirements and/or measures
5.1 Mechanical hazards
The safety objective is to prevent access to the parts which would injure when they are in motion. This shall be
achieved by compliance with the following.
5.1.1 Access to danger zones (see figure 4)
All the interlocking devices associated with guards shall comply with 5.7 of EN 1088:1995.
Fixed and movable guards shall comply with EN 953:1997.
The level of safety of the interlocking devices shall be consistent with the control systems into which they are
integrated.
The safety related devices and their interface with the control systems shall meet at least category 1 of 6.2.2 of
EN 954-1:1996.
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Instructions about the use and the maintenance of these devices shall be provided in the instruction handbook.
5.1.1.1 Zones 1 and 2
Specific user needs mean that the minimum safety distances cannot comply with EN 294:1992, in particular, if an
aperture is needed to add some ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, butter, eggs during processing. For this
reason specific dimensions shall be respected for type 1 and type 2 machines.
5.1.1.1.1 Type 1
Dimensions shall be L  120 mm and D  52 mm (see figures 1 and 2).
This requirement can be achieved by integral guards (see figure 5) or by interlocking removable covers or lids.
Where interlocking removable covers or lids are used, this interlocking may be achieved according to 3.22.6 of
EN 292-1:1991, 4.2.2.5 of EN 292-2:1991 and EN 1088:1995.
Figure 5 — Bowl with integral guard (example)

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5.1.1.1.2 Type 2
L  D
Dimensions shall be 120 mm and  52 mm (see figures 1 and 2).
This requirement can be achieved by integral guards or by interlocking removable covers or lids. Where
interlocking removable covers or lids are used, this interlocking may be achieved according to 3.22.4 of EN 292-
1:1991, 4.2.2.3b of EN 292-2:1991 and EN 1088:1995.
For machines with hinged covers, the distance the cover may be opened whilst the machine is running, measured
at the opposite side of the hinge, shall be no more than 45 mm.
The stopping time shall be less than 4 s when the machine is running empty.
5.1.1.1.3 Type 3
Covers are generally hinged to the main body of the machine because of their weight. Some covers may be also
removable to facilitate their use.
Covers shall be associated with an interlocking device in accordance with 3.22.4 of EN 292-1:1991 and 4.2.2.3b of
EN 292-2:1991+A1:1995.
With non-removable covers, the interlocking device shall comply with 6.2.1 of EN 1088:1995.
With completely removable covers, the interlock shall comply with EN 1088 (i.e there shall be two interlock
switches one operating in a positive mode and the other one in a negative mode). Where the application of this
principle of positive mechanical action is not easily reconcilable with the other requirements for this kind of
machine, e.g. hygiene, index of protection (IP), prevention of defeat and safety distances, the absence of a positive
mechanical action of the cover on the position detector shall be balanced/compensated so as to achieve an equal
level of safety e.g by applying the principle illustrated in informative annex C.
Nevertheless in all cases where a single mechanically actuated position detector is used, it shall comply with
6.2.1.2 of EN 1088:1995.
The safety distances from the upper edge of the aperture to the upper blade of the tool shall comply with table 4
and 4.5.3 of EN 294:1992.
The stopping time shall be less than 4 s when the machine is running empty.
If the bowl is removable, an interlocking device shall prevent the machine from starting with bowl incorrectly fitted.
5.1.1.2 Zone 3
Access to the danger zone shall be prevented by a fixed guard complying with 4.2.2.2 of EN 292-2:1991+A1:1995
and EN 953:1997.
Those requirements are applicable to the three types.
5.1.1.3 Zone 4
The bowl shall be tilted only by a voluntary action of the operator. The requirements shall be the same when the
bowl is tilted back to its working position.
When the tilting is power operated, the movement of the machine shall be controlled with a hold to run control
situated out of the danger zone. The bowl shall remain stable in all positions when it stops.
5.1.1.4 Zone 5
The shape and fixing of the blades shall prevent accidental blade ejection. The connection between the cutter
blades and their support shall be ensured by a positive mechanical means taking account of the direction, of
centrifugal force. Relying on frictional connection alone is not sufficient.

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5.1.2 Stability
The machine shall be stable when used in accordance with the manufacturer's intended use.
The machine shall be preferably designed to be stable and shall meet the tests specified in table 1 of clause 6.
If the machine cannot comply with the tests of table 1, clause 6, it shall be fixed and the instruction handbook shall
indicate the value of forces at fixing points.
A machine fitted with 3 castors shall have at least 1 castor (or set of castors) fitted with a locking device.
A machine fitted with 4 castors shall have at least 2 castors (or sets of castors) fitted with a locking device.
5.1.3 Incorrect assembly and fitting
The design of the machine shall ensure that removable parts which provide safeguards in accordance with this
standard are in the correct position before the machine can be set in motion.
In addition, means of assembly and proper adjustment in good conditions shall be provided in the instruction
handbook.
If it can lead to a hazardous situation, incorrect assembly and fitting of the cutting device shall be prevented by
design (e.g. by use of mechanically interlinked components).
5.1.4 Handling, cleaning and storage of cutting devices
The manufacturer shall provide suitable instructions for the safe handling, cleaning and storage of the cutting
devices.
5.2 Electrical hazards
The electrical equipment shall comply with EN 60204-1:1997, with the following points.
5.2.1 Electromagnetic compatibility (see 4.4.2 of EN 60204-1:1997)
In general, the machine shall not generate electromagnetic emissions of a level higher than the one specified in
EN 50081-1:1992. However, if the machine is to be installed exclusively in an industrial environment (installation
supplied under medium or high voltage as defined in EN 50081-2:1993), only the level given in
EN 50081-2:1993 is required.
In general, equipment shall comply with immunity as stated in EN 61000-6-2:1999. However, if the machine is to
be installed exclusively in a residential environment (installation supplied under low voltage as defined in
EN 50082-1:1992), only the level defined in EN 50082-1:1992 is required.
Unless stated otherwise, the supplier of the electric/electronic equipment shall give information relevant to
electromagnetic compatibility for the equipment.
5.2.2 Protection against electric shock (see clause 6 of EN 60204-1:1997)
For the choice between the various methods of protection described in clause 6 of EN 60204-1:1997, the
manufacturer shall pay attention to the potential wet conditions under which the equipment will be used : in
particular, SELV (see 411.1.4 of IEC 60364-4-41) may be chosen instead of PELV.

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Controls shall have a minimum degree of protection of IP 55 as defined in EN 60529 and the whole machine shall
have a minimum degree of protection of IP 34 e.g. with:

hoods;
or

circuit-breakers ensuring protection by residual differential current (RCD complying with annex B of
EN 60947-2:1995).
5.2.3 Power circuits (see 7.2.3 of EN 60204-1:1997)
For single phase machines a device for detection and interruption of overcurrent in the phase conductor is
sufficient.
5.2.4 Earth faults (see 9.4.3.1 of EN 60204-1:1997)
For machinery supplied between a single phase conductor and an earthed neutral conductor, there is no
requirement for double pole interruption.
5.2.5 Emergency stop (see 10.7 of EN 60204-1:1997)
An emergency stop is not required.
5.2.6 Motor enclosures (see 15.2 of EN 60204-1:1997)
Where a motor has a degree of protection lower than IP23 as defined in EN 60529 it shall be mounted inside an
enclosure that guarantees a minimum degree of protection of IP23.
5.3 Hygiene
5.3.1 General
The machine shall be designed in accordance with EN 1672-2:1997 and the requirements given below. It shall also
be designed in accordance with annex B.
Hygiene zones (examples) are shown in figures 6a and 6b.

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Key
1 : Food area
2 : Splash area
Figure 6a — On a blender Figure 6b — On a food processor
Figure 6 — Hygiene areas
5.3.2 Food area
The following parts shall be considered to be in the food area as defined in EN 1672-2:1997:

the inside of the bowl;

the tool set;

the inner part of the lid covering the bowl;

the scraping devices.
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However some parts of the food area, for example cutting devices, the shaft and the components are not easy to
clean and special instructions shall be provided for cleaning (see 7.1).
5.3.3 Splash area
The following parts shall be considered to be in the splash area as defined in EN 1672-2:1997 :

exterior of the bowl;

exterior of the cover or lid;

handles;

stop and start controls.
5.3.4 Non food area
The non food area includes any other areas other than splash areas and food areas outlined above.
5.3.5 Surface finish
The maximum roughness values shall comply with the requirements of EN 1672-2:1997 and annex B.
5.3.6 Cleanability
All food and splash areas shall be easily cleanable and where necessary capable of disinfection.
In the food and splash areas, fixings such as screws, bolts, rivets etc shall be avoided unless technically
necessary. These should be chosen from those in figure B.17 of annex B.
NOTE Because of the problem of contamination the machines are not intended to be cleaned with waterjet (see 7.1.e).
5.4 Ergonomics
Regard shall be given to the safeguards set out in 3.6 of EN 292-2:1991+A1:1995 and EN 614-1:1995. Any
information necessary to achieve the ergonomic objectives which the user must follow (e.g. height of feed chute)
shall be included in the instruction handbook.
The effort for tilting the bowl shall be 200 N maximum (see 4.3.2
...