General Information

Abstract

1.1   This European Standard is applicable to operator seats used on industrial trucks as defined in
ISO 5053:1987 irrespective of power supply, type of equipment, lifting mechanism and tyres. It also applies to seats for other trucks not covered by ISO 5053:1987, e.g. variable-reach trucks and lowlift order picking trucks.
1.2   This European Standard specifies, in accordance with EN 30326-1, a laboratory method for measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of the seat suspension in reducing the vertical wholebody vibration transmitted to the operator of industrial trucks at frequencies between 1 Hz and 20 Hz.
1.3   This European Standard defines the input spectral classes required for the following industrial trucks. Each class defines a group of machines having similar vibration characteristics:
-   Platform trucks, trucks rider-controlled, etc. with wheel mean diameter below 200 mm and highload non-rubber solid tyres (category 1)1)
-   Reach trucks, articulated trucks, etc. with wheel mean diameter below 450 mm and high-load non-rubber solid tyres or cylindrical/conical base rubber solid tyres (category 2)1)
-   Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter below 645 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 3)1)
-   Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter between 645 mm and 900 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 4a)1)
-   Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter between 900 mm and 1200 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 4b)1)
-   Trucks with wheel mean diameter between 1200 mm and 2000 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 5)1)
-   All-terrain trucks (category 6) )
1.4   This European Standard specifies performance criteria to be achieved by seats intended for each of the above-mentioned groups of machines.
1.5   The tests and criteria defined in this European Standard are intended for operator seats used in industrial trucks of conventional design.
NOTE   Other tests may be appropriate for machines with d

Status
Published
Publication Date
25-Nov-2008
Withdrawal Date
27-Dec-2009
Drafting Committee
CEN/TC 231/WG 9 - Seating
Current Stage
9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
Start Date
29-Sep-2022
Completion Date
23-Sep-2026
 

Not Harmonized98/37/EC - Machinery
OJ Ref: C, C 74 OJ Date: 28-Mar-2009

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EN 13490:2002+A1:2009

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Overview

EN 13490:2001+A1:2008 - "Mechanical vibration - Industrial trucks - Laboratory evaluation and specification of operator seat vibration" is a CEN standard that defines a laboratory method to measure and evaluate how effectively operator seat suspension reduces vertical whole‑body vibration transmitted to drivers of industrial trucks. The method covers frequencies between 1 Hz and 20 Hz, is based on EN 30326‑1 and uses frequency weighting per ISO 2631‑1. It applies to seats used on industrial trucks (ISO 5053:1987) and similar machines (e.g., reach trucks, order‑pickers, all‑terrain trucks).

Key topics and technical requirements

  • Scope and limits: Applies to vertical seat vibration only; vibration transmitted via feet, pedals or steering is excluded. Tests are intended for seats on conventional industrial trucks.
  • Laboratory method: Simulated platform vibration is applied to a seat mounted on a vibrator; accelerometers measure at the platform (seat base) and at the seat pan (seat disc).
  • Input spectral classes: Defines representative PSD test inputs and r.m.s. targets grouped by truck types / wheel diameters / tyre types (categories 1–6). Classes IT1–IT4 are used to reflect different machine vibration characteristics.
  • Performance criteria:
    • SEAT factor (Seat Effective Amplitude Transmissibility), calculated per EN 30326‑1 with ISO 2631‑1 weighting.
    • Damping test maximum transmission ratio, also from EN 30326‑1.
  • Test conditions: Run‑in procedure for suspension (manufacturer’s instructions or 5 000 cycles), two standard test persons (light 52–55 kg; heavy 98–103 kg), repeatability requirements (three runs per configuration), sampling/analysis bandwidth constraints.
  • Safety and instrumentation: Measuring equipment per EN ISO 8041; safety per EN ISO 13090‑1.

Applications and who uses this standard

  • Seat manufacturers - to design and validate seat suspension performance and to specify compliance targets for specific truck categories.
  • Industrial truck OEMs - to select seats suited to vehicle dynamic characteristics and to demonstrate vibration reduction in line with the Machinery Directive.
  • Test laboratories - to run repeatable, comparable laboratory evaluations of seat transmissibility and damping.
  • Occupational health & safety professionals and procurement teams - to compare seat options by quantified vibration attenuation and to reduce operator whole‑body vibration exposure.

Related standards

  • EN 30326‑1 (laboratory method for vehicle seat vibration)
  • ISO 2631‑1 (human exposure frequency weighting for whole‑body vibration)
  • EN ISO 8041 (measuring instrumentation)
  • ISO 5053 (powered industrial trucks - terminology)
  • EN ISO 13090‑1 (safety for tests involving people)

EN 13490 supports consistent, repeatable vibration testing and enables evidence‑based seat selection to improve operator comfort and reduce whole‑body vibration risk in industrial truck environments.

Relations

Effective Date
19-Jan-2023
Effective Date
25-Aug-2026
Effective Date
25-Aug-2026
Effective Date
25-Aug-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026

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Standard

EN 13490:2002+A1:2009

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Frequently Asked Questions

EN 13490:2001+A1:2008 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Mechanical vibration - Industrial trucks - Laboratory evaluation and specification of operator seat vibration". This standard covers: 1.1 This European Standard is applicable to operator seats used on industrial trucks as defined in ISO 5053:1987 irrespective of power supply, type of equipment, lifting mechanism and tyres. It also applies to seats for other trucks not covered by ISO 5053:1987, e.g. variable-reach trucks and lowlift order picking trucks. 1.2 This European Standard specifies, in accordance with EN 30326-1, a laboratory method for measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of the seat suspension in reducing the vertical wholebody vibration transmitted to the operator of industrial trucks at frequencies between 1 Hz and 20 Hz. 1.3 This European Standard defines the input spectral classes required for the following industrial trucks. Each class defines a group of machines having similar vibration characteristics: - Platform trucks, trucks rider-controlled, etc. with wheel mean diameter below 200 mm and highload non-rubber solid tyres (category 1)1) - Reach trucks, articulated trucks, etc. with wheel mean diameter below 450 mm and high-load non-rubber solid tyres or cylindrical/conical base rubber solid tyres (category 2)1) - Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter below 645 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 3)1) - Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter between 645 mm and 900 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 4a)1) - Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter between 900 mm and 1200 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 4b)1) - Trucks with wheel mean diameter between 1200 mm and 2000 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 5)1) - All-terrain trucks (category 6) ) 1.4 This European Standard specifies performance criteria to be achieved by seats intended for each of the above-mentioned groups of machines. 1.5 The tests and criteria defined in this European Standard are intended for operator seats used in industrial trucks of conventional design. NOTE Other tests may be appropriate for machines with d

1.1 This European Standard is applicable to operator seats used on industrial trucks as defined in ISO 5053:1987 irrespective of power supply, type of equipment, lifting mechanism and tyres. It also applies to seats for other trucks not covered by ISO 5053:1987, e.g. variable-reach trucks and lowlift order picking trucks. 1.2 This European Standard specifies, in accordance with EN 30326-1, a laboratory method for measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of the seat suspension in reducing the vertical wholebody vibration transmitted to the operator of industrial trucks at frequencies between 1 Hz and 20 Hz. 1.3 This European Standard defines the input spectral classes required for the following industrial trucks. Each class defines a group of machines having similar vibration characteristics: - Platform trucks, trucks rider-controlled, etc. with wheel mean diameter below 200 mm and highload non-rubber solid tyres (category 1)1) - Reach trucks, articulated trucks, etc. with wheel mean diameter below 450 mm and high-load non-rubber solid tyres or cylindrical/conical base rubber solid tyres (category 2)1) - Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter below 645 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 3)1) - Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter between 645 mm and 900 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 4a)1) - Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter between 900 mm and 1200 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 4b)1) - Trucks with wheel mean diameter between 1200 mm and 2000 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 5)1) - All-terrain trucks (category 6) ) 1.4 This European Standard specifies performance criteria to be achieved by seats intended for each of the above-mentioned groups of machines. 1.5 The tests and criteria defined in this European Standard are intended for operator seats used in industrial trucks of conventional design. NOTE Other tests may be appropriate for machines with d

EN 13490:2001+A1:2008 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.160 - Vibration and shock with respect to human beings; 53.060 - Industrial trucks. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN 13490:2001+A1:2008 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13490:2001, ISO 5053:1987, ISO 2631-1:1997, ISO 5805:1997, EN 643:1994, EN ISO 13090-1:1998, EN ISO 7027:1999, EN ISO 176:1999, EN ISO 8041-2:2021, EN ISO 8041-1:2017, EN 30326-1:1994, EN 16307-6:2014, EN 12312-15:2020, EN 12312-15:2020+A2:2025, EN 12312-7:2020. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

EN 13490:2001+A1:2008 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2006/42/EC, 98/37/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/079, M/396. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.

EN 13490:2001+A1:2008 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Mehanske vibracije - Industrijska tovorna vozila - Laboratorijsko vrednotenje in specifikacije vibracij voznikovega sedežaMechanische Schwingungen - Flurförderzeuge - Laborverfahren zur Bewertung sowie Spezifikation der Schwingungen des MaschinenführersitzesVibrations mécaniques - Chariots industriels - Evaluation en laboratoire et spécification des vibrations transmises à l'opérateur par le siègeMechanical vibration - Industrial trucks - Laboratory evaluation and specification of operator seat vibration53.060Industrijski tovornjakiIndustrial trucks13.160Vpliv vibracij in udarcev na ljudiVibration and shock with respect to human beingsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13490:2001+A1:2008SIST EN 13490:2002+A1:2009en,fr,de01-februar-2009SIST EN 13490:2002+A1:2009SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 13490:2001+A1
November 2008 ICS 13.160; 53.060 Supersedes EN 13490:2001English Version
Mechanical vibration - Industrial trucks - Laboratory evaluation and specification of operator seat vibration
Vibrations mécaniques - Chariots industriels - Evaluation en laboratoire et spécification des vibrations transmises à l'opérateur par le siège
Mechanische Schwingungen - Flurförderzeuge - Laborverfahren zur Bewertung sowie Spezifikation der Schwingungen des Maschinenführersitzes This European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 August 2001 and includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 5 October 2008.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36
B-1050 Brussels © 2008 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 13490:2001+A1:2008: ESIST EN 13490:2002+A1:2009

ISO 5053:1987 irrespective of power supply, type of equipment, lifting mechanism and tyres. It also applies to seats for other trucks not covered by ISO 5053:1987, e.g. variable-reach trucks and lowlift order picking trucks. 1.2 This European Standard specifies, in accordance with EN 30326-1, a laboratory method for measuring and evaluating the effectiveness of the seat suspension in reducing the vertical wholebody vibration transmitted to the operator of industrial trucks at frequencies between 1 Hz and 20 Hz. 1.3 This European Standard defines the input spectral classes required for the following industrial trucks. Each class defines a group of machines having similar vibration characteristics:  Platform trucks, trucks rider-controlled, etc. with wheel mean diameter below 200 mm and highload non-rubber solid tyres (category 1)1)  Reach trucks, articulated trucks, etc. with wheel mean diameter below 450 mm and high-load non-rubber solid tyres or cylindrical/conical base rubber solid tyres (category 2)1)  Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter below 645 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 3)1)  Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter between 645 mm and 900 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 4a)1)  Straddle trucks, trucks with wheel mean diameter between 900 mm and 1 200 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 4b)1)  Trucks with wheel mean diameter between 1 200 mm and 2 000 mm and rubber solid or pneumatic tyres (category 5)1) SIST EN 13490:2002+A1:2009

1.4 This European Standard specifies performance criteria to be achieved by seats intended for each of the above-mentioned groups of machines. 1.5 The tests and criteria defined in this European Standard are intended for operator seats used in industrial trucks of conventional design. NOTE Other tests may be appropriate for machines with design features that result in significantly different vibration characteristics. 1.6 This European Standard is only concerned with the vertical component of whole-body vibration. Vibration which reaches the operator other than through his seat, for example that sensed by his feet on the platform or control pedals or by his hands on the steering-wheel, is not covered. 2 Normative references !The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies." !deleted text" EN 30326-1:1994, Mechanical vibration — Laboratory method for evaluating vehicle seat vibration – Part 1: Basic requirements (ISO 10326-1:1992) !EN ISO 8041, Human response to vibration — Measuring instrumentation (ISO 8041:2005)" EN ISO 13090-1, Mechanical vibration and shock — Guidance on safety aspects of tests and experiments with people — Part 1: Exposure to whole-body mechanical vibration and repeated shock (ISO 13090-1:1998) ISO 2631-1:1997, Mechanical vibration and shock — Evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration – Part 1: General requirements ISO 5053:1987, Powered industrial trucks — Terminology ISO 5805:1997, Mechanical vibration and shock — Human exposure — Vocabulary !deleted text" 3 Terms and definitions, symbols and abbreviations 3.1 Terms and definitions For the purposes of this European Standard, the terms and definitions given in ISO 5805:1997 and the following apply. 3.1.1 whole-body vibration vibration transmitted to the body as a whole through the buttocks of a seated operator
1) See !EN 13059". SIST EN 13490:2002+A1:2009

aS(fr) unweighted r.m.s. value of the measured vertical acceleration at the seat disc at the resonance frequency a*wP12, a*wP34 weighted r.m.s. value of the target vertical acceleration at the platform between frequencies f1 and f2, or f3 and f4 awP12 weighted r.m.s. value of the measured vertical acceleration at the platform between frequencies f1 and f2
awS12 weighted r.m.s. value of the measured vertical acceleration at the seat disc (see Figure 1) between frequencies f1 and f2 Be
resolution bandwidth, Hz EM
Earth-moving Machinery f
frequency, Hz fr
frequency at resonance GP(f)
measured PSD of the vertical vibration at the platform (seat base) G*P (f)
target PSD of the vertical vibration at the platform (seat base) G*PL (f)
lower limit for the measured PSD of the vertical vibration at the platform (seat base) SIST EN 13490:2002+A1:2009

upper limit for the measured PSD of the vertical vibration at the platform (seat base) H(fr)
transmissibility at resonance HP
high-pass filter IT
Industrial Truck LP
Low-pass filter PSD
Power spectral density expressed as acceleration squared per unit bandwidth, (m/s2)2/Hz r.m.s.
root mean square SEAT
Seat Effective Amplitude Transmissibility factor Ts
sampling time, s. SIST EN 13490:2002+A1:2009

Key 1 Seat backrest 2 Seat pan 3 Accelerometer disc on the seat pan (S) 4 Seat suspension 5 Platform 6 Accelerometer on the platform (P) 7 Base of the seat Provision shall be made for adjustment of the angles of the knees, the ankles and the backrest (if possible) (see 5.2). Figure 1 — Posture of the test person SIST EN 13490:2002+A1:2009

1 000-cycle intervals. For this purpose, the seat shall be loaded with an inert mass of 75 kg and adjusted to the mass in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. The seat and suspension shall be mounted on the platform of a vibrator, and a sinusoidal input vibration shall be applied to the platform at approximately the suspension natural frequency. This input vibration shall have a peak-to-peak displacement sufficient to cause movement of the seat suspension over approximately 75 % of its stroke. A platform peak-to-peak displacement of approximately 40 % of the seat suspension stroke is likely to achieve this. Care should be taken to ensure against overheating of the suspension damper during the running-in, for which forced cooling is acceptable. SIST EN 13490:2002+A1:2009
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