EN 13871:2014
(Main)Food processing machinery - Cubes cutting machinery - Safety and hygiene requirements
General Information
- Abstract
1.1 General
This European Standard covers cube cutting machines (see Figures 1 to 6 and 12 to 18) and specifies requirements for the design and manufacture.
The machines covered by this document are used to size reduce fresh meat, meat products and products of the same kind (e.g. fish, vegetables and cheese) by cutting in a cutting chamber.
This document deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to machines, appliances and machinery, when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Clause 4).
This document deals with the hazards which can arise during all the lifetime of the machine, including the phases of transport, assembly, operation, maintenance, dismantling, disabling and scrapping of the machine.
This document is not applicable to cubes cutting machines which are manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN.
1.2 Types of cube cutting machines covered by this standard
This European Standard covers the following types of cubes cutting machines:
- cubes cutting machines with a forward feed plunger, a lattice and a sickle/multi-segment blade with loading by hand (see Figure 2);
- cubes cutting machines with a forward feed plunger, a lattice, a sickle/multi-segment blade, a feed intake hopper and a loading device (see Figure 1);
- cubes cutting machines with a rotating cutting tool, a sickle/multi-segment blade and a feed conveyor (see Figures 3 and 5);
- cubes cutting machines with a rotating cutting tool and centrifugal force loading (see Figure 6);
- cubes cutting machines with or without integrated conveyor systems.
1.3 Machine construction
Cubes cutting machines are constructed of a machine frame, a feed intake chamber/magazine, a forward feed plunger or nip roller, a lattice or a rotating cutting tool, a sickle/multi-segment blade, an associated drive and electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic components, depending on machine type.
Cubes cutting machines in the scope of this document may be equipped with:
- a lid over the feed intake chamber/magazine;
- a transfer car for the sickle /multi-segment blade, cutting blade and lattice;
- a loading device;
- a feed conveyor.
(...)
1.4 Intended use
The intended use (as defined in EN ISO 12100:2010, 3.23) of cubes cutting machines as dealt with in this document is described in 1.1.
The product to be cut is fed manually or by the loading device/feed conveyor into the feed intake chamber. The product is fed to the cutting unit by the forward feed plunger and/or by the nip roller or by centrifugal force and size reduced.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 04-Nov-2014
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-May-2015
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 153 - Food processing machinery - Safety and hygiene specifications
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 153/WG 2 - Meat processing machinery
- Current Stage
- 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 03-Jun-2020
- Completion Date
- 03-Jun-2020
- Directive
- Harmonized Standard2006/42/EC - Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery, and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast)OJ Ref: C, C 14 OJ Date: 15-Jan-2016
Overview
EN 13871:2014 - published by CEN - is the European standard for food processing machinery: cubes cutting machinery. It specifies safety and hygiene requirements for machines that size-reduce fresh meat, meat products and similar products (e.g. fish, vegetables, cheese) by cutting in a cutting chamber. The standard covers design and manufacture, all significant hazards during the machine lifetime (transport, assembly, operation, maintenance, dismantling, disabling, scrapping) and applies to machines manufactured on or after its publication. EN 13871:2014 supports the essential requirements of EU Directive 2006/42/EC.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and machine types: forward‑feed plunger machines, machines with feed hoppers and loading devices, rotating cutting-tool machines with conveyors or centrifugal feeding, with or without integrated conveyors.
- Mechanical safety: protection of cutting zones, blade housings/guards, product pushers, protective rails, interlocking devices and prescribed stopping times to prevent access to hazards.
- Electrical safety: requirements for electrical equipment, emergency stop devices and protection against water ingress (IP rating considerations).
- Hydraulic and pneumatic hazards: controls and safeguards for fluid power systems used on cutting machines.
- Ergonomics and noise: ergonomic design principles for feeders, lids and heavy components; noise measurement and reduction (noise test code included).
- Hygiene and cleanability: material selection, surface finish, design principles for cleaning (Annex B), separation of food, splash and non‑food areas, and cleaning procedures.
- Verification and documentation: verification checks, testing, operator training, marking and comprehensive instruction handbook requirements (including safety & hygiene measures).
- Annexes: noise test code (Annex A) and design principles to ensure cleanability (Annex B).
Applications and who uses this standard
EN 13871:2014 is used by:
- Manufacturers and OEMs designing and building cube cutting machines to meet European safety and hygiene expectations.
- Machine designers and engineers specifying guards, interlocks, drives, and cleaning‑friendly designs.
- Plant safety managers, QA and hygiene teams implementing safe operation and cleaning procedures in food production lines.
- Notified bodies and conformity assessors verifying compliance with the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) and supporting CE marking.
- Purchasing and OEM integration teams selecting compliant machines for meat and related food processing plants.
Related standards (selected)
- EN ISO 12100 (machine risk assessment / intended use)
- EN 1672‑2 / EN ISO 14159 (food hygiene requirements)
- EN 60204‑1 (electrical equipment of machines)
- EN 60529 (IP degrees of protection)
- EN ISO 3744 (noise measurement methods)
Keywords: EN 13871:2014, cubes cutting machinery, food processing machinery, safety and hygiene requirements, cube cutting machines, CEN, machinery directive.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 16-Nov-2014
- Effective Date
- 25-Aug-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-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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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 13871:2014 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Food processing machinery - Cubes cutting machinery - Safety and hygiene requirements". This standard covers: 1.1 General This European Standard covers cube cutting machines (see Figures 1 to 6 and 12 to 18) and specifies requirements for the design and manufacture. The machines covered by this document are used to size reduce fresh meat, meat products and products of the same kind (e.g. fish, vegetables and cheese) by cutting in a cutting chamber. This document deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to machines, appliances and machinery, when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Clause 4). This document deals with the hazards which can arise during all the lifetime of the machine, including the phases of transport, assembly, operation, maintenance, dismantling, disabling and scrapping of the machine. This document is not applicable to cubes cutting machines which are manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN. 1.2 Types of cube cutting machines covered by this standard This European Standard covers the following types of cubes cutting machines: - cubes cutting machines with a forward feed plunger, a lattice and a sickle/multi-segment blade with loading by hand (see Figure 2); - cubes cutting machines with a forward feed plunger, a lattice, a sickle/multi-segment blade, a feed intake hopper and a loading device (see Figure 1); - cubes cutting machines with a rotating cutting tool, a sickle/multi-segment blade and a feed conveyor (see Figures 3 and 5); - cubes cutting machines with a rotating cutting tool and centrifugal force loading (see Figure 6); - cubes cutting machines with or without integrated conveyor systems. 1.3 Machine construction Cubes cutting machines are constructed of a machine frame, a feed intake chamber/magazine, a forward feed plunger or nip roller, a lattice or a rotating cutting tool, a sickle/multi-segment blade, an associated drive and electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic components, depending on machine type. Cubes cutting machines in the scope of this document may be equipped with: - a lid over the feed intake chamber/magazine; - a transfer car for the sickle /multi-segment blade, cutting blade and lattice; - a loading device; - a feed conveyor. (...) 1.4 Intended use The intended use (as defined in EN ISO 12100:2010, 3.23) of cubes cutting machines as dealt with in this document is described in 1.1. The product to be cut is fed manually or by the loading device/feed conveyor into the feed intake chamber. The product is fed to the cutting unit by the forward feed plunger and/or by the nip roller or by centrifugal force and size reduced.
1.1 General This European Standard covers cube cutting machines (see Figures 1 to 6 and 12 to 18) and specifies requirements for the design and manufacture. The machines covered by this document are used to size reduce fresh meat, meat products and products of the same kind (e.g. fish, vegetables and cheese) by cutting in a cutting chamber. This document deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to machines, appliances and machinery, when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Clause 4). This document deals with the hazards which can arise during all the lifetime of the machine, including the phases of transport, assembly, operation, maintenance, dismantling, disabling and scrapping of the machine. This document is not applicable to cubes cutting machines which are manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN. 1.2 Types of cube cutting machines covered by this standard This European Standard covers the following types of cubes cutting machines: - cubes cutting machines with a forward feed plunger, a lattice and a sickle/multi-segment blade with loading by hand (see Figure 2); - cubes cutting machines with a forward feed plunger, a lattice, a sickle/multi-segment blade, a feed intake hopper and a loading device (see Figure 1); - cubes cutting machines with a rotating cutting tool, a sickle/multi-segment blade and a feed conveyor (see Figures 3 and 5); - cubes cutting machines with a rotating cutting tool and centrifugal force loading (see Figure 6); - cubes cutting machines with or without integrated conveyor systems. 1.3 Machine construction Cubes cutting machines are constructed of a machine frame, a feed intake chamber/magazine, a forward feed plunger or nip roller, a lattice or a rotating cutting tool, a sickle/multi-segment blade, an associated drive and electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic components, depending on machine type. Cubes cutting machines in the scope of this document may be equipped with: - a lid over the feed intake chamber/magazine; - a transfer car for the sickle /multi-segment blade, cutting blade and lattice; - a loading device; - a feed conveyor. (...) 1.4 Intended use The intended use (as defined in EN ISO 12100:2010, 3.23) of cubes cutting machines as dealt with in this document is described in 1.1. The product to be cut is fed manually or by the loading device/feed conveyor into the feed intake chamber. The product is fed to the cutting unit by the forward feed plunger and/or by the nip roller or by centrifugal force and size reduced.
EN 13871:2014 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 67.260 - Plants and equipment for the food industry. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 13871:2014 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13871:2005+A1:2010, ISO 8598:1996, EN 61496-1:2004, EN 60529:1991, EN ISO 13854:2019, EN ISO 3744:2010, EN ISO 14119:2013, EN ISO 14122-3:2016, EN 2286:1989, EN 953:1997+A1:2009, EN 1005-2:2003+A1:2008, EN ISO 13857:2008, EN ISO 11688-1:2009, EN ISO 4871:2009, EN ISO 11201:2010. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 13871:2014 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2006/42/EC; Standardization Mandates: 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 13871:2014 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.Stroji za predelavo hrane - Stroji za rezanje na kocke - Varnostne in higienske zahteveNahrungsmittelmaschinen - Würfelschneidemaschinen - Sicherheits- und HygieneanforderungenMachines pour les produits alimentaires - Machines à couper en cubes - Prescriptions relatives à la sécurité et à l'hygiéneFood processing machinery - Cubes cutting machinery - Safety and hygiene requirements67.260Tovarne in oprema za živilsko industrijoPlants and equipment for the food industryICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 13871:2014SIST EN 13871:2015en,fr,de01-januar-2015SIST EN 13871:2015SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 13871:2005+A1:20101DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 13871
November 2014 ICS 67.260 Supersedes EN 13871:2005+A1:2010English Version
Food processing machinery - Cubes cutting machinery - Safety and hygiene requirements
Machines pour les produits alimentaires - Machines à couper en cubes - Prescriptions relatives à la sécurité et à l'hygiène
Nahrungsmittelmaschinen - Würfelschneidemaschinen - Sicherheits- und Hygieneanforderungen This European Standard was approved by CEN on 13 September 2014.
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-CENELEC 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-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 13871:2014 ESIST EN 13871:2015
Noise test code for cubes cutting machines (grade 2) . 40 SIST EN 13871:2015
Design principles to ensure the cleanability of cubes cutting machines . 42 B.1 Terms and definitions . 42 B.2 Materials of construction . 43 B.3 Design . 43 Annex ZA (informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential Requirements of EU Directive 2006/42/EC . 48 Bibliography . 49
Key 1 loading device 5 cutting chamber door/protective hood 2 feed intake channel/magazine 6 sickle/multi-segment blade 3 frame 7 lattice 4 feed intake hopper
Figure 1 — Cubes cutting machine type with forward feed plunger, lattice, sickle blade, feed intake hopper and loading device SIST EN 13871:2015
Key 1 feed intake trough 5 cutting chamber 2 sickle/multi-segment blade 6 step 3 cutting chamber door/protective hood 7 interlocked step 4 lattice
Figure 2 — Cubes cutting machine type with forward feed plunger, lattice and sickle blade and loading by hand
Key 1 feed conveyor 2 cutting chamber door 3 sickle/multi-segment blade 4 container Figure 3 — Cubes cutting machine type with various blades, conveying unit and feed conveyor SIST EN 13871:2015
Key 1 closure gate 2 forward feed plunger 3 feed intake chamber/magazine Figure 4 — Details of feed intake chamber
Key 1 nip roller 4 stripper comb 2 feed conveyor 5 cut product 3 rotating cutting tool 6 multi-segment blade Figure 5 — Cubes cutting machine type with multi-segment blade and feed conveyor SIST EN 13871:2015
Key 1 nip roller 4 cutting blade 2 rotating cutting tool 5 multi-segment blade 3 stripper comb 6 cut product Figure 6 — Cubes cutting machine type with multi-segment blade and centrifugal force feeding 1.4 Intended use The intended use (as defined in EN ISO 12100:2010, 3.23) of cubes cutting machines as dealt with in this document is described in 1.1. The product to be cut is fed manually or by the loading device/feed conveyor into the feed intake chamber. The product is fed to the cutting unit by the forward feed plunger and/or by the nip roller or by centrifugal force and size reduced. 2 Normative references The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies. EN 349, Safety of machinery — Minimum gaps to avoid crushing of parts of the human body EN 614-1, Safety of machinery — Ergonomic design principles — Part 1: Terminology and general principles EN 953:1997+A1:2009, Safety of machinery — Guards — General requirements for the design and construction of fixed and movable guards EN 1005-1, Safety of machinery — Human physical performance — Part 1: Terms and definitions EN 1005-2, Safety of machinery — Human physical performance — Part 2: Manual handling of machinery and component parts of machinery SIST EN 13871:2015
Key 1 zone 1 4 zone 4 2 zone 2 5 zone 5 3 zone 3 6 zone 6 Figure 7 — Danger zones on cubes cutting machine with forward feed plunger, lattice, sickle blade, feed intake hopper and loading device
Key 1 zone 1 6 zone 6 Figure 8 — Danger zones on cubes cutting machine with feed intake chamber/magazine and loading by hand SIST EN 13871:2015
Key 1 zone 1 4 Zone 4 2 zone 2 6 zone 6 3 zone 3
Figure 9 — Danger zones on cubes cutting machine with conveying unit and feed conveyor
Key 1 zone 1 4 zone 2 2 zone 2 6 zone 6 3 zone 3
Figure 10 — Danger zones on cubes cutting machine with multi-segment blade and feed conveyor SIST EN 13871:2015
Key 1 zone 1 4 zone 4 2 zone 2 6 zone 6 3 zone 2
Figure 11 — Danger zones on cubes cutting machine with multi-segment blade and loading by means of centrifugal force 5 Safety and hygiene requirements and/or protective measures 5.1 General Cubes cutting machines shall comply with the safety requirements and/or protective measures of this clause and Annex C of this document. In addition, they shall be designed according to the principles of EN ISO 12100 for hazards relevant but not significant, which are not dealt with by this document (e.g. sharp edges). The safety related parts of the control system shall present at least a performance level “c” in accordance with EN ISO 13849-1. 5.2 Mechanical hazards 5.2.1 General The interlocking devices shall be built inside the machine housing and shall comply with EN ISO 14119:2013, 4.2 and Clause 7. After activating an interlocking device the stopping time of the blade shall be ≤ 0,15 s. Hazardous after-run of tools shall be prevented by braking devices or other solutions with equivalent effect. Braking devices shall become automatically effective upon switching off the drive and in the event of a voltage failure and upon opening of the protective devices. SIST EN 13871:2015
≤
52 mm for L ≥ 120 mm. The dimensions and arrangements of the guard shall be according to Figure 12. Fastening of the non-detachable restrictor plate shall be according to EN 953.
Key Ü ≥ 40 mm Ü ≥ 40 mm H1 ≥ 40 mm H1 ≥ 40 mm D ≤ 52 mm D < 52 mm Q = 40 mm L1 ≥ 120 mm L = L1 – X 1 danger zone L ≥ 230 mm
1 danger zone
Figure 12 — Safety dimensions on cubes cutting machine: Guard SIST EN 13871:2015
Key Key 1 lid 5 cutting chamber door 1 lid 2 forward feed plunger 6 protective hood 2 forward feed plunge 3 lattice 7 container 3 lattice 4 sickle blade 8 interlocking device / position switch 4 sickle blade
5 cutting chamber door Figure 13 — Safety measures on cutting chamber door in conjunction with container Figure 14 — Safety measures on cutting chamber door without container
Key If H < 40 mm
then L > 250 mm If 40 mm < H < 100 mm then L > 600 mm If H > 100 mm then L > 850 mm Figure 15 — Safety dimensions on cutting chamber door in conjunction with an integrated conveyor belt 5.2.2.4 Zone 4 – Stationary blades The mounting between the sickle blade and the drive shall be positive. If the enclosing guard (e.g. cutting chamber door, protective hood) is open, the sickle blade shall be prevented from any unintentional movement. It shall be stated clearly in the instruction for use that “Cut-resistant gloves shall be worn” when changing the cutting tools and when carrying out any work in the vicinity of the cutting tools. 5.2.2.5 Zone 6 – Drive mechanism Access to danger points at the drive mechanism shall be safeguarded by the provision of fixed or interlocked movable guards as defined in EN 953:1997+A1:2009, 3.2 and 3.5. If guards need to be opened for changing the operating process or for cleaning purposes, they shall be interlocked. The interlocking system shall be according to 5.2.1. 5.2.3 Cubes cutting machine with feed intake hopper and loading device 5.2.3.1 Zone 1 – Feed intake hopper with automatic driven closure gate Access to the danger points at the closure gate shall be prevented. This shall be achieved e.g. by the following measures: Access is prevented by: — the design (e.g. closed feed intake hopper) including a closed loading device for products (e.g. screw conveyor, pipeline with pump) (see 5.2.3.2.1) or SIST EN 13871:2015
Figure 16 — Safety dimensions on cubes cutting machine with a loading device SIST EN 13871:2015
Key 1 cover designed as grate 3 pendulous mechanical bar 2 pendulous mechanical bar 4 container Figure 17 — Safety dimensions on feed, discharge opening on cubes cutting machine with a mast-type loading device for feed heights over 2 500 mm 5.2.3.12 Zone 5 – Mast-type lift-tilt device The danger points at the mast-type lift-tilt device between the load bearing device and the mast on the side opposite the load bearing device shall be safeguarded by guards. There are no danger zones in the tilt range if the distance between the load bearing device and the mast is > 120 mm. If the tilt range of the load bearing device is > 2 000 mm or more above the floor, there are no danger zones if this distance is > 60 mm. 5.2.3.13 Zone 5 – Lift-tilt device for feed heights > 2 500 mm The path of movement of the load bearing device, with the exception of the run-in and run-out opening, shall be protected by means of a distance guard (e.g. a protective fence). An electro-sensitive protective device (e.g. a light barrier, mechanical bar or flap) shall be fitted on the upper edge of the run-in and run-out opening to prevent lifting of incorrectly positioned trolleys or containers. For requirements relating to the interlocking system of the mechanical bar or mechanical flap as well as the light barrier, see 5.2.3.2. 5.2.3.14 Zone 5 – Lowering velocity of load bearing device The lowering velocity shall be ≤ 0,4 m/s when it is controlled by a hold-to-run switch. The lowering velocity shall be ≤ 0,1 m/s if the descent is controlled automatically or by a switch with a locking contact. In this case the last 0,5 m until the transport trolley or container has touched down shall be controlled by a hold-to-run switch. 5.2.3.15 Zone 6 – Drive mechanism See 5.2.2.5. SIST EN 13871:2015
Key 1 feed conveyor 2 cutting chamber 3 discharge opening 4 sickle/multi-segment blade 6 drive mechanism L length of protective hood H height of the in-feed opening Figure 18 — Cubes cutting machine with feed conveyor If a fixed protective hood is provided, H shall be ≤ 200 mm and L ≥ 850 mm. If L < 850 mm; — a movable prote
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