IEC 62046: 2026 specifies requirements for the selection, positioning, configuration and commissioning of sensitive protective equipment (SPE) to detect the momentary or continued presence of persons in order to protect those persons from dangerous part(s) of machinery in industrial applications. This document covers the application of electro-sensitive protective equipment (ESPE) specified in the IEC 61496 series and pressure-sensitive mats and floors specified in ISO 13856‑1.
It takes into account the characteristics of the machinery, the sensitive protective equipment, the environment and human interaction by persons of 14 years and older.
This document includes informative annexes to provide guidance on the application of sensitive protective equipment to detect the presence of persons. These annexes contain examples to illustrate the principles of this document. These examples are not intended to be the only solutions to a given application and are not intended to restrict innovation or advancement of technology. The examples are provided only as representative solutions to illustrate some of the concepts of integration of sensitive protective equipment, and have been simplified for clarity, so they can be incomplete.
It is intended that this document is used in conjunction with ISO 13855.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2018. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the first edition:
a) restructuring of the document to aid the user;
b) additional information on vision and radar systems;
c) muting requirements have been updated;
d) information on whole body access has been added;
e) whole body access has also been covered in more detail;
f) alignment to changes in ISO 13855.
