This document specifies the safety requirements of self-propelled rough-terrain variable-reach trucks (hereafter referred to as trucks), intended to handle loads, equipped with a telescopic lifting means (pivoted boom), on which a load handling device (e.g. carriage and fork arms) is fitted.
For the purpose of this document, rough-terrain variable-reach trucks are designed to transport, lift and place loads and can be driven on unimproved terrain.
Fork arms are considered to be part of the truck. Trucks can also be equipped with a variety of attachments (e.g. bale spikes, mowers, sweepers).
This document deals with all the significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to the trucks when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Annex A).
This document does not apply to:
— slewing rough-terrain variable-reach trucks covered by EN 1459 2:2015+A1:2018;
— rough-terrain variable-reach tractors covered by prEN 17968:2025;
— industrial variable reach trucks covered by EN ISO 3691 2:2023;
— lorry-mounted variable-reach trucks covered by ISO 20297 1:2017;
— variable-reach trucks fitted with tilting or elevating operator position;
— mobile cranes covered by EN 13000:2010+A1:2014;
— machines designed primarily for earth moving, even if their buckets and blades are replaced with forks (see EN 474 series);
— trucks designed primarily with variable length load suspension elements (e.g. chain, ropes) from which the load may swing freely in all directions;
— trucks designed primarily for container handling;
— trucks on tracks;
— trucks with articulated chassis;
— attachments.
This document does not cover sales literature.
This document does not address hazards linked to:
— operation of the truck from a position other than the normal operating position;
— operation of the truck by a remote control;
— gas power systems;
— gasoline engine systems;
— autonomous functions;
— self-evolving behaviour;
— hybrid or battery power systems having a voltage greater than 32 V DC or 21 V AC r.m.s.
NOTE EN 1459-7:2026 deals with hybrid and battery power systems having a voltage greater than 32 V DC or 21 V AC r.m.s.
This document does not address hazards which may occur:
a) when handling suspended loads which may swing freely (additional requirements are given in EN 1459 4:2020+A1:2025);
b) when using trucks on public roads;
c) when operating in potentially explosive atmospheres (additional requirements are given in EN 1755:2024);
d) when operating underground;
e) when fitted with a personnel work platform (additional requirements are given in EN 1459 3:2015 and EN 1459 9:2021);
f) when using system capable of controlling the speed of the truck as set by the operator (cruise-control).
This document is not applicable to trucks manufactured before the date of its publication.
Related directives
NOTE: If the word "harmonized" (marked in green) is not found in the field with the name of the directive, it means that the European standard is not cited in the OJEU.
