Performance Level

Achieve Maximum Safety and Compliance with Expert Guidance on Performance Levels

  • Critical for assessing the safety of machinery and control systems
  • Ensures compliance with EN ISO 13849-1 standards
  • Mitigates risks in automated and complex machinery
  • Required for CE marking and other safety certifications
  • Comprehensive support from Certification Experts’ experienced engineers

What is Performance Level (PL) and Why Does It Matter?

Performance Level (PL) is a key concept in the safety of machinery, particularly in the context of control systems. It refers to the ability of safety-related parts of a control system to perform their safety functions under foreseeable conditions. The concept is central to the EN ISO 13849-1 standard, which is widely recognized in the EU for assessing the safety of machinery. Performance Level is categorized into five levels: PL a, b, c, d, and e, with PL a representing the lowest level of safety and PL e the highest. These levels are determined by evaluating several factors, including the probability of a dangerous failure, the frequency and duration of exposure to hazards, and the ability to control or avoid the hazard. Achieving the appropriate Performance Level is essential for ensuring that machinery operates safely and for meeting regulatory requirements such as CE marking.

The Role of Performance Levels in Machine Safety

Performance Levels are integral to the design and assessment of safety-related control systems. They help manufacturers determine the necessary safety measures to protect operators and prevent accidents. By defining and achieving the appropriate Performance Level, businesses can ensure that their machinery complies with relevant safety standards, reducing the risk of failure and enhancing overall safety.

Here are the key benefits of implementing and achieving the correct Performance Level:

Performance Levels are a critical component of the EN ISO 13849-1 standard, which is essential for machinery safety. Achieving the correct PL is often necessary for CE marking, which is mandatory for selling machinery in the EU.
By identifying and achieving the appropriate Performance Level, you can ensure that your machinery’s control systems are robust enough to handle potential risks, thereby protecting operators and reducing the likelihood of accidents.
Machinery that meets the required Performance Levels is more likely to pass regulatory inspections and achieve the necessary certifications, facilitating smoother market entry
 Properly assessing and implementing the required Performance Level helps mitigate risks associated with machinery failure, ensuring that safety systems perform as expected under all conditions.

Steps to Determine and Achieve the Correct Performance Level

Achieving the correct Performance Level involves a systematic approach, from risk assessment to the validation of safety functions. Certification Experts provides comprehensive support at every stage, helping you navigate the complexities of EN ISO 13849-1 and ensuring that your machinery meets all necessary safety requirements.

Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification

The first step in determining the appropriate Performance Level is conducting a detailed risk assessment. This process involves identifying potential hazards associated with the machinery and assessing the severity and likelihood of these hazards. Certification Experts’ team of engineers conducts thorough risk assessments, helping you identify all relevant risks and determine the initial safety requirements.

Defining Safety Requirements

Based on the risk assessment, the next step is to define the specific safety functions needed to mitigate identified risks. This involves determining the required Performance Level for each safety-related part of the control system. Certification Experts assists in defining these safety requirements, ensuring they align with the machinery’s intended use and operational environment.

System Design and Implementation

With the safety requirements defined, the control system can be designed and implemented to achieve the desired Performance Level. This includes selecting appropriate components, designing redundancy and monitoring functions, and integrating safety features into the system architecture. Certification Experts provides guidance throughout the design and implementation process, ensuring that all safety functions meet the required standards.

Validation and Verification of Performance Levels

After the control system is implemented, it must be validated and verified to ensure that it achieves the specified Performance Level. This involves testing the safety functions under various conditions to confirm that they perform as required. Certification Experts coordinates the validation and verification process, working with accredited testing laboratories to ensure compliance with EN ISO 13849-1.

Ongoing Compliance and Documentation

Maintaining compliance with Performance Levels requires ongoing monitoring and documentation. This includes keeping detailed records of the risk assessment, system design, testing results, and any changes made to the machinery. Certification Experts helps you compile and maintain all necessary documentation, ensuring that it is up to date and ready for regulatory inspections or audits.

Certification Experts’ Role in Achieving Performance Levels

Navigating the complexities of Performance Level requirements and ensuring compliance with EN ISO 13849-1 requires specialized knowledge and experience. Certification Experts offers comprehensive services to help you achieve the correct Performance Level for your machinery, ensuring that it meets all safety and regulatory requirements.

Our services include:

We conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential hazards and determine the required Performance Level.
Our team helps you define the necessary safety functions and Performance Levels for your control systems.
We provide expert guidance on designing and implementing control systems that meet the required Performance Level.
We coordinate the validation and verification of safety functions to ensure compliance with EN ISO 13849-1.
We assist in maintaining ongoing compliance, including compiling and managing all necessary documentation.

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Frequently asked questions

All the answers you might need!

Certification Experts offers comprehensive services to help you determine, achieve, and maintain the correct Performance Level for your machinery. We assist with risk assessments, system design, validation, and compliance documentation to ensure your products meet all safety requirements.

Determining the correct Performance Level involves conducting a risk assessment, identifying hazards, and defining the required safety functions. Certification Experts provides full support in assessing and achieving the appropriate PL for your machinery.

A Performance Level (PL) is a measure of the ability of safety-related parts of a control system to perform their safety functions under foreseeable conditions. It is a key concept in machine safety, particularly under the EN ISO 13849-1 standard.

Performance Levels are crucial in industries involving machinery, including manufacturing, automation, robotics, and any sector where control systems are used to manage potential risks and ensure safety.

Performance Levels are important because they ensure that machinery operates safely by defining the necessary safety functions to mitigate risks. Achieving the correct PL is essential for compliance with safety standards and for obtaining certifications like CE marking.

Testimonials

What our clients are saying about us

Alfa Wassermann

Kurt Spiegel Vice President of Engineering
Certification Experts has been our partner for over 10 years and the relationship is outstanding. They’ve completed CE Marking, UKCA Marking, and act as our Authorized Representative. The face-to-face meetings are really important and save us a lot of time!

Confocal.nl

Peter Drent CEO
Personally, I am very satisfied with the service and quality of the work of Certification Experts. I certainly intend to work with them for future projects!

Bondtech Corporation

Elsa Brown President
For more than 15 years, Bondtech has had the pleasure of being partnered with Certification Experts for CE marking for Europe and the UKCA for the UK. Their professionalism, rapid responses, and attention to detail impressed us. Their tailored guidance and meticulous review of our specifications ensured compliance with CE directives. In addition to conducting the conformity assessment process for us, they also act as our Authorised Representative. We recommend Certification Experts for their expertise and personalized service, which not only secured our certifications but also provided invaluable support.

Aria Technologies

Omar Ahmed Senior QA/QC Engineer
Certification Experts facilitated us to obtain the CE mark for our Cartesian Robot, enabling us to access the European market. Their clear communication and personalized approach made our collaboration a pleasant experience.

Full-service product compliance

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ISO 9001 Certified
ISO 27001 Certified
ISO27001 & ISO9001 certified – Trusted by 300+ Clients