European Ride Safety Standards

After several years of work and industry collaboration the European Committee CEN/TC 152 launched the formal vote of the “new European Standard EN 13814” in 3 parts:

• FprEN 13814-1:2018 Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices - Part 1: Design and manufacture
• FprEN 13814-2:2018 Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices - Part 2: Operation, maintenance and use
• FprEN 13814-3:2018 Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices – Part 3: Requirements for inspection during design, manufacture, operation and use

On 12 April 2018 a formal vote was taken for the new European technical standard for amusement rides safety EN 13814:2018. The three parts have been approved with 100% of votes. It will represent the new state of art on amusement rides safety in Europe and continue in its role a one of the major global standards. The new standard is a step forward in the harmonization with ASTM thanks to the collaboration between CEN and ASTM experts.

EN 13814:2004 is the current and still active predecessor to the new standard.

It’s important to note that the actual European Standard EN 13814:2004 has been adopted or is the amusement rides safety reference in some 43 countries all over the World, so not only in European Union.

A wide range of experts participated in developing the standards, as workgroup 1 of CEN/TC 152, chaired by the French standardization organization AFNOR.

Representative came from all areas of the Amusement and Leisure industry such as ride manufactures, Inspection bodies and operators, representative of consumers, safety authorities and regulators.

As with all standards there is a need to change and up-date to meet the stringent levels of safety across all areas of our industry including manufacturing standards, maintenance and operations standards and safety.

Harmonization has also been a key factor in the development of the standards with consideration to other World class standards used across our industry such as ASTM F24 and ISO.

The new European Standards EN 13814 series represents a step forward in the “state of art” of safety of amusement rides. 

This development does not represent a revolution or a big change, it’s more a consolidation of the good and best practices developed over the last 13 years and another step forward in Global harmonization. 

Harmonization with ASTM F24 standards has been another goal that the European experts consider fundamental. Important parts, like acceleration, benefit from the collaboration between ASTM and the EN experts.

The ASTM committee develops standards for international use in the amusement industry and work continuously in harmonizing with the EN standards.

The “old” (actual) EN 13814:2004 will remain in force in parallel to the new one for 3 years as the main safety requirements, and are still valid. This will provide for a smooth smooth transition period, not only for the industry but also for the regulators that need to consider the new standards and adjust laws and regulations accordingly.

The new standard went out for its final vote of approval on February 15th 2018. 

European Standard EN 13814:2018 has been approved in all parts

To ensure a smooth and viable integration and implementation of the replacement EN 13814standards, they will operate within a three (3) year transition period.

This three (3) year window enables the operators, manufactures and inspection groups the time required to fully integrate the new standards and changes contained within.

This is not to say that the industry should wait or delay implementation.  We would encourage all stakeholders to review the new standards in detail and implement in a timely and efficient manner.

European Ride Safety Standards EN 13814:2014 has currently been adopted by around 50 Countries across the World as a whole or in part reference. (Please consult with your regulatory agency for confirmation of use within your own region.)