๐ PD CEN TR 81 is a series of technical reports (TR) published by the British Standards Institution (BSI), concerned with the basics and interpretations of the safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts. Prepared by CEN/TC 10 with UK participation through BSI committee MHE/4 (Lifts, hoists and escalators), the series addresses the EN 81 standards family, providing system explanations, background interpretations, and application guidance. This batch covers Part 10, System of the EN 81 series of standards (2008, superseding PD CEN/TR 81-10:2004), and Part 12, Use of EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 in specific markets (2014).
โ ๏ธ A Technical Report (TR) is a guidance document; it does not impose mandatory technical requirements and does not replace the EN 81 standards themselves. Its role is to help users understand and correctly apply the EN 81 series.
1. Scope and Series Positioning ๐
The EN 81 series is the fundamental European safety standards family for lifts, covering construction, installation, inspection, and maintenance. The PD CEN TR 81 series supports this family from the “basics and interpretations” perspective:
- System explanation: explains the organisation and interrelationships of the parts of the EN 81 series.
- Implementation guidance: helps standards users correctly understand and implement the EN 81 series requirements.
- Issue-specific interpretation: provides clarification and guidance for specific markets or specific application situations.
| Standard | Edition | Subject | Primary Role |
| PD CEN/TR 81-10:2008 | 2008-11 (supersedes 2004) | System of the EN 81 series of standards | Systematic explanation of the EN 81 family structure |
| PD CEN/TR 81-12:2014 | 2014-10 | Use of EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 in specific markets | Guidance on implementing the new framework in various markets |
๐ก EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 are important revisions of the EN 81 family: EN 81-20 consolidates the safety rules for passenger and passenger-goods lifts, while EN 81-50 collects the inspection and test requirements for components and systems. Part 12 explains how the two are applied in different markets against this background.
2. Part 10: System of the EN 81 Series of Standards ๐ฌ
Part 10 systematically describes the system of the EN 81 series of standards, helping users build an overall understanding:
- Maps the subjects and relationships of the various parts of the EN 81 series (passenger lifts, goods lifts, special-purpose lifts, inspection and testing, etc.).
- Explains the scope and cross-references of each part, avoiding misuse and omission.
- Provides navigation guidance for selecting and combining applicable standards.
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Lift products involve multiple standards used together, so a clear system structure directly affects compliance determination. The value of Part 10 lies in providing a systematic answer to “which part applies and how the parts connect”.
3. Part 12: Use of EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 in Specific Markets ๐ง
Part 12 provides clarification and guidance on the use of EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 in specific markets:
- Explains the links between design, manufacture, installation, and inspection under the new framework.
- Clarifies transition periods and coexistence arrangements in different countries/markets.
- Helps regulators, certification bodies, and manufacturers understand the key changes in the new requirements.
โ ๏ธ Different markets may adopt EN 81-20/81-50 at different paces and with different additional requirements. When applying, verify the national regulations and transition arrangements in force in the target market at the time; a technical report cannot substitute for market-access requirements.
4. Technical Points and Implementation Advice ๐
| Focus | Part 10 Emphasis | Part 12 Emphasis |
| Positioning | Basics and system (why) | Application and implementation (how) |
| Object | Overall EN 81 series structure | Specific application of EN 81-20 / EN 81-50 |
| Users | Standards-system users | Regulators, certification bodies, manufacturers, installers |
| Output | System navigation | Market application guidance |
๐ก Lift-related enterprises are advised to build a standards-system overview using Part 10, use Part 12 to guide the switch to the new editions, and always base design verification on the latest EN 81-20/81-50 text.
5. Engineering Practice and Application Advice ๐ ๏ธ
- ๐ System mapping: build an enterprise EN 81 standards list using Part 10 as the index, identifying the applicable parts for each product line.
- ๐ Version transition: plan the switch from older editions to EN 81-20/81-50 using Part 12 as a reference, assessing design impact.
- ๐ Third-party coordination: communicate with regulators and notified bodies early on the application requirements and transition arrangements in specific markets.
- ๐ Training: include Part 10/12 points in engineer training to improve understanding of the standards system.
6. FAQ โ
Q: Is the PD CEN TR 81 series mandatory?
A: No. It is a Technical Report (TR), a guidance document that does not replace the EN 81 standards themselves.
Q: What does Part 10 cover?
A: It systematically describes the system structure of the EN 81 series, the subjects and relationships of the parts, and provides standards navigation.
Q: What does Part 12 cover?
A: It explains the use of EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 in specific markets, including transition periods and market application guidance.
Q: What is the difference between EN 81-20 and EN 81-50?
A: EN 81-20 specifies safety rules for lift design and construction; EN 81-50 collects inspection and test requirements for components and systems; the two are used together.
Q: Can a technical report serve as a market-access basis?
A: No. Market access must satisfy the regulations and standards in force in the target market at the time; the technical report is only a reference for understanding and implementation.