EN 13683:2003/FprA2
(Amendment)Garden equipment - Integrally powered shredders/chippers - Safety
Garden equipment - Integrally powered shredders/chippers - Safety
This amendment refers to changes in 5.2.1 "Feed safety openings", 5.2.2 "Discharge chutes", 5.2.3.1 "Attachment", D.2.3 (9) and new Annex A "Examples of inlet openings where the safety distance is >= 200 mm".
Text of mother standard:
This European Standard specifies safety requirements and their verification for the design and construction of hand fed, shredders/chippers with integral power source and with or without vacuum assisted collection which are designed primarily to reduce organic material to smaller pieces. It is only applicable to shredders/chippers that are designed for use outdoors in a stationary position by an operator standing on the ground. It applies to shredders/chippers with feed intake openings in the form of a single opening or an opening divided into a number of segments. The feed intake openings or segments each being of any shape that will fit into a square of 250 mm - 250 mm measured at the relevant safety distance to the cutting means.
NOTE Feed safety openings are limited to 250 mm - 250 mm but the total feed intake opening can be any size.
This standard describes methods of elimination or reduction of hazards arising from the use of shredders/chippers. In addition it specifies the type of information to be provided by the manufacturer on safe working practices.
This standard does not cover requirements for:
- units driven by an external power source;
- mobile use of units which can be used in both stationary and mobile modes;
- units with powered discharge intended to broadcast material or load vehicles;
- units with mechanically powered feed intake or attachments;
- units with cutting means of either one or more non-metallic filaments, or one or more non-metallic cutting elements pivotally mounted on a generally circular central drive unit, where these cutting elements rely on centrifugal force to achieve cutting, and have a kinetic energy for each single cutting means of less than 10 J;
- electrical aspects of electrically
Gartengeräte - Motorgetriebene Schredder/Zerkleinerer - Sicherheit
Matériel de jardinage - Broyeurs/déchiqueteurs à moteur intégré - Sécurité
Oprema za nego vrta - Motorni drobilniki/sekalniki - Varnost
General Information
- Status
- Not Published
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 144 - Tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 144/WG 7 - Garden equipment
- Current Stage
- 5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
- Start Date
- 02-Nov-2010
- Due Date
- 30-May-2010
- Completion Date
- 02-Nov-2010
- Directive
- 98/37/EC - Machinery
Relations
- Merged Into
EN 13683:2003+A2:2011 - Garden equipment - Integrally powered shredders/chippers - Safety - Effective Date
- 18-Jan-2023
- Effective Date
- 25-Feb-2009
- Effective Date
- 22-Dec-2008
Overview
EN 13683:2003/FprA2 is a crucial European standard developed by CEN that defines the safety requirements for integrally powered garden shredders and chippers. These machines are designed primarily to reduce organic outdoor material into smaller pieces for easier disposal or composting. This amendment updates specific clauses such as feed safety openings, discharge chutes, attachment methods, and introduces new guidelines with Annex A on inlet openings with safety distances equal to or greater than 200 mm.
The standard applies exclusively to hand-fed shredders/chippers used outdoors in a stationary position by an operator standing on the ground. It excludes units driven by external power sources, mobile units, and shredders/chippers with special cutting elements below certain kinetic energies. EN 13683 safeguards users by specifying dimensional, mechanical, and operational safety criteria to minimize hazards.
Key Topics
Feed Safety Openings (Clause 5.2.1)
- Specifies shape envelopes (slots, squares, rounds) measured within a 250 mm by 250 mm square.
- Details new dimensional requirements and the tortuous path test to reduce injury risks.
- Introduces combined safety openings with maximum pinch point widths of 26-30 mm depending on opening sizes.
- Establishes minimum safety distances to cutting means, such as:
- 200 mm for openings ≤ 30 mm,
- 850 mm for openings > 50 mm,
- Special conditions based on height and angle considerations as detailed in Table 2.
Discharge Chutes (Clause 5.2.2)
- Reinforces requirements to reduce residual residual risks by verifying chute designs post-amendment.
- Encourages manufacturers to incorporate risk assessments consistent with EN 294:1992 for enhanced safety.
Attachments and Guards (Clause 5.2.3.1)
- Requires interlocked guards to prevent access to cutting means unless stopped.
- Guards must be fixed, not removable without tools, and prevent hazardous thrown objects.
- Machines must prevent operation if guards are not correctly positioned, improving operator safety.
Safety Instructions and Risk Reduction (Clause D.2.3)
- Stipulates power shutoff and spark plug/ignition key disconnection before clearing clogs.
- Emphasizes maintaining power sources free of debris to avoid damage or fire risk.
New Annex A
- Provides illustrative examples of inlet openings conforming to the ≥ 200 mm safety distance standard.
- Supports practical machine design compliance with safety distances, reducing operational injury risks.
Applications
EN 13683:2003/FprA2 is essential for manufacturers, designers, and safety engineers working on garden shredders and chippers. Its practical applications include:
Product Design and Development
- Ensuring feed openings and discharge systems meet dimensional safety requirements.
- Designing interlocked guarding systems to comply with updated safety standards.
Manufacturing and Quality Control
- Implementing strict testing protocols based on tortuous path tests to certify safe feed openings.
- Verifying mechanical integrity and fail-safes for guards and attachments.
Operator Safety and Training
- Supplying clear manufacturer instructions aligned with standard requirements on safe clearing of blockages.
- Enhancing user awareness of hazardous zones around feed openings and discharge chutes.
Compliance and Certification
- Supporting conformity assessments for CE marking and aligning with EU machinery directives.
- Facilitating national standard adaptation within CEN member states for enhanced user safety.
Related Standards
EN 294:1992 – Safety of Machinery: Safety Distances Provides foundational principles for establishing safe distances to prevent access to hazardous machine parts, integral to this amendment's risk assessment approach.
EN 954-1:1996 – Safety of Machinery: Safety-Related Parts of Control Systems Sets category requirements for interlocking safety guards, directly referenced for guarding and access control.
EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC Mandates harmonized safety requirements for machinery placed on the EU market, supported by EN 13683 for shredders/chippers.
ISO 12100 – Safety of Machinery: General Principles for Design Outlines risk assessment and risk reduction principles, complementing the prescriptive safety measures in EN 13683.
EN 13683:2003/FprA2 represents an important evolution in garden equipment safety standards, focusing on tangible risk reduction through design controls, guarding, and clear operational guidelines. Compliance ensures safer use of shredders/chippers, protecting operators and reducing injury risks during garden maintenance activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 13683:2003/FprA2 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Garden equipment - Integrally powered shredders/chippers - Safety". This standard covers: This amendment refers to changes in 5.2.1 "Feed safety openings", 5.2.2 "Discharge chutes", 5.2.3.1 "Attachment", D.2.3 (9) and new Annex A "Examples of inlet openings where the safety distance is >= 200 mm". Text of mother standard: This European Standard specifies safety requirements and their verification for the design and construction of hand fed, shredders/chippers with integral power source and with or without vacuum assisted collection which are designed primarily to reduce organic material to smaller pieces. It is only applicable to shredders/chippers that are designed for use outdoors in a stationary position by an operator standing on the ground. It applies to shredders/chippers with feed intake openings in the form of a single opening or an opening divided into a number of segments. The feed intake openings or segments each being of any shape that will fit into a square of 250 mm - 250 mm measured at the relevant safety distance to the cutting means. NOTE Feed safety openings are limited to 250 mm - 250 mm but the total feed intake opening can be any size. This standard describes methods of elimination or reduction of hazards arising from the use of shredders/chippers. In addition it specifies the type of information to be provided by the manufacturer on safe working practices. This standard does not cover requirements for: - units driven by an external power source; - mobile use of units which can be used in both stationary and mobile modes; - units with powered discharge intended to broadcast material or load vehicles; - units with mechanically powered feed intake or attachments; - units with cutting means of either one or more non-metallic filaments, or one or more non-metallic cutting elements pivotally mounted on a generally circular central drive unit, where these cutting elements rely on centrifugal force to achieve cutting, and have a kinetic energy for each single cutting means of less than 10 J; - electrical aspects of electrically
This amendment refers to changes in 5.2.1 "Feed safety openings", 5.2.2 "Discharge chutes", 5.2.3.1 "Attachment", D.2.3 (9) and new Annex A "Examples of inlet openings where the safety distance is >= 200 mm". Text of mother standard: This European Standard specifies safety requirements and their verification for the design and construction of hand fed, shredders/chippers with integral power source and with or without vacuum assisted collection which are designed primarily to reduce organic material to smaller pieces. It is only applicable to shredders/chippers that are designed for use outdoors in a stationary position by an operator standing on the ground. It applies to shredders/chippers with feed intake openings in the form of a single opening or an opening divided into a number of segments. The feed intake openings or segments each being of any shape that will fit into a square of 250 mm - 250 mm measured at the relevant safety distance to the cutting means. NOTE Feed safety openings are limited to 250 mm - 250 mm but the total feed intake opening can be any size. This standard describes methods of elimination or reduction of hazards arising from the use of shredders/chippers. In addition it specifies the type of information to be provided by the manufacturer on safe working practices. This standard does not cover requirements for: - units driven by an external power source; - mobile use of units which can be used in both stationary and mobile modes; - units with powered discharge intended to broadcast material or load vehicles; - units with mechanically powered feed intake or attachments; - units with cutting means of either one or more non-metallic filaments, or one or more non-metallic cutting elements pivotally mounted on a generally circular central drive unit, where these cutting elements rely on centrifugal force to achieve cutting, and have a kinetic energy for each single cutting means of less than 10 J; - electrical aspects of electrically
EN 13683:2003/FprA2 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 65.060.70 - Horticultural equipment. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 13683:2003/FprA2 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13683:2003+A2:2011, EN 13683:2003+A1:2009, EN 13683:2003. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 13683:2003/FprA2 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2006/42/EC, 98/37/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/380, 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 13683:2003/FprA2 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)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 13683:2004/oprA1:2007
01-september-2007
Oprema za nego vrta - Motorni drobilniki/sekalniki - Varnost
Garden equipment - Integrally powered shredders/chippers - Safety
Gartengeräte - Motorgetriebene Schredder/Zerkleinerer - Sicherheit
Matériel de jardinage - Broyeurs/déchiqueteurs a moteur a combustion interne - Sécurité
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13683:2003/prA1
ICS:
65.060.70 Vrtnarska oprema Horticultural equipment
SIST EN 13683:2004/oprA1:2007 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EUROPEAN STANDARD
DRAFT
EN 13683:2003
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
prA1
April 2007
ICS 65.060.70
English Version
Garden equipment - Integrally powered shredders/chippers -
Safety
Matériel de jardinage - Broyeurs/déchiqueteurs à moteur à Gartengeräte - Motorgetriebene Schredder/Zerkleinerer -
combustion interne - Sécurité Sicherheit
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 144.
This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 13683:2003. If this draft becomes an amendment, CEN
members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of this amendment
into the relevant national standard without any alteration.
This draft amendment was established by CEN 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 Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to
provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels
© 2007 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13683:2003/prA1:2007: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
EN 13683:2003/prA1:2007 (E)
Contents Page
Foreword.3
1 Modification to 5.2.1.1 .4
2 Modification to 5.2.1.2 .4
3 Modification to Table 2.4
4 Modification to 5.2.1.3 .6
5 Modification to 5.2.2 .6
6 Modification to 5.2.3.1 .6
7 Modification to Annex A.6
8 Modification to D.2.3.8
EN 13683:2003/prA1:2007 (E)
Foreword
This document (EN 13683:2003/prA1:2007) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 144
“Tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
EN 13683:2003/prA1:2007 (E)
1 Modification to 5.2.1.1
Delete both indents and replace with the following:
"
either be constructed to meet the dimensional requirements given in 5.2.1.2, 5.2.1.3 and Table 2, or
if a straight rod of 1 m length and 12 mm diameter will not pass through the opening to contact the cutting
means then the tortuous path test of 5.2.1.4 shall apply."
2 Modification to 5.2.1.2
Delete second paragraph and replace with the following:
"Where a feed safety opening is not a slot, square or round, the overall size of opening is considered
...
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