European Ride Safety Standards

Standards Update
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.

Where the Standard Came From

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.

Who Participated on the Creation of the Original Standard

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.

The Need to Change

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.

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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 Work that Went into the New Standard

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.

Current Status of the New Standard

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

Implementation process
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.

Implementation of the Standards

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.)