The DIN EN 13155 standard specifies safety requirements for non-fixed load lifting attachments used with cranes, hoists, and manually controlled load-manipulating devices. It ensures these attachments—which are not permanently joined to the lifting machine—are designed and verified to prevent hazards such as mechanical failure or load slipping. Key Covered Equipment
The standard applies to a wide variety of "below-the-hook" lifting accessories, including: Plate Clamps: Used for gripping and lifting steel plates.
Vacuum Lifters: Both self-priming and pump/turbine-driven versions.
Lifting Magnets: Electric, permanent, and electro-permanent types.
Lifting Beams and C-hooks: Common structural attachments for specific load shapes.
Lifting Forks and Clamps: For handling palletized or bulk loads.
Lifting Insert Systems: Specifically for use in normal-weight concrete. Critical Safety Requirements
Mechanical Strength: Attachments must meet specific static and dynamic strength requirements to withstand their Working Load Limit (WLL).
Slipping Safety Factor: For devices operating on a friction basis, the safety factor against the load slipping must be at least 2.
Marking: Every item must be marked with the manufacturer's name, year of manufacture, WLL, and the CE mark.
Verification: Manufacturers must perform type-testing or calculation to verify safety measures, often following procedures outlined in Annex A. Current Version & Access
The most recent version is DIN EN 13155:2022-03. It superseded the long-standing 2003+A2:2009 edition. DIN EN 13155 - 2022-03
Understanding DIN EN 13155: The Essential Guide to Lifting Attachment Safety din en 13155 pdf
If you are involved in crane operations, manufacturing, or site safety, you have likely come across the term DIN EN 13155. This European standard is the bedrock for ensuring that "non-fixed load lifting attachments"—those essential tools that hang between your crane hook and your load—are safe, reliable, and compliant.
Whether you are looking for a DIN EN 13155 PDF for reference or just need a clear summary of the latest updates, this post breaks down everything you need to know about the 2025 version. What is DIN EN 13155?
DIN EN 13155 (specifically the latest update, DIN EN 13155:2020+A1:2025) defines the safety requirements and verification methods for detachable lifting attachments. Unlike the crane itself, these are the "loose" tools used to grip or support a load. Key Equipment Covered:
The standard applies to a wide variety of attachments, including: Plate clamps and other friction-based grippers. Vacuum lifters (both self-priming and pump-fed).
Lifting magnets (electric, permanent, and electro-permanent). Lifting beams and spreaders. C-hooks, lifting forks, and specialized clamps. Lifting insert systems for normal-weight concrete. Critical Safety Requirements
The primary goal of the standard is to prevent mechanical failure and accidental load release. It mandates rigorous testing protocols:
Static Strength: For standard applications (up to 16,000 duty cycles), attachments must be able to hold 2x their Working Load Limit (WLL) without permanent deformation.
Ultimate Strength: To prevent catastrophic failure, they must not drop a load even when permanently deformed at 3x their WLL.
Fatigue Strength: For equipment used more than 16,000 times, the design must account for long-term wear and stress, similar to crane design standards like EN 13001-2. Recent Updates in the 2025 Version
The latest amendment, A1:2025, introduced several important clarifications for manufacturers and inspectors:
Dual Verification Routes: It clarifies two distinct paths for proving safety—either by calculation and test or by test only.
Updated References: The standard now aligns with the newest versions of EN 13001-2:2021 for general crane safety. The DIN EN 13155 standard specifies safety requirements
Corrected Test Regimes: It rectifies previous errors in the verification methods, particularly regarding the sliding scale of test loads for mechanical strength. What’s Missing? (Exclusions)
It is important to note that DIN EN 13155 does not cover everything. You will need to look elsewhere for:
Understanding DIN EN 13155: A Comprehensive Guide
The DIN EN 13155 standard is a European norm that specifies the requirements for the design, testing, and marking of permanently attached lifting equipment, also known as lifting accessories or lifting gear. This standard is crucial for ensuring the safety of workers, equipment, and the general public when using lifting equipment.
What is DIN EN 13155?
DIN EN 13155 is a European standard that outlines the requirements for:
of permanently attached lifting equipment, such as:
Key Aspects of DIN EN 13155
Here are some key aspects of the standard:
Benefits of DIN EN 13155 Compliance
Compliance with DIN EN 13155 offers several benefits, including:
How to Access DIN EN 13155 PDF
You can access the DIN EN 13155 standard in PDF format through various sources:
Conclusion
DIN EN 13155 is an important standard for ensuring the safety and performance of permanently attached lifting equipment. By understanding the requirements of the standard, manufacturers can design, test, and manufacture lifting equipment that meets the highest safety standards. Compliance with the standard offers several benefits, including improved safety, increased efficiency, and compliance with regulations. If you're involved in the design, manufacture, or use of lifting equipment, it's essential to familiarize yourself with DIN EN 13155.
In the landscape of modern industry and logistics, the crane serves as a symbol of human ingenuity—a machine capable of moving masses that would otherwise be immovable. However, the ability to lift tons of steel or concrete brings with it an inherent and potentially catastrophic risk. Bridging the gap between raw power and operational safety is the complex framework of European standardization. At the heart of this framework lies DIN EN 13155, the standard titled “Cranes – Safety – Non-fixed load lifting attachments.” While often sought after in digital formats (the ubiquitous "PDF") for quick reference, the document represents far more than a simple file; it is a comprehensive technical blueprint that dictates the engineering, testing, and safe operation of the critical link between the crane and the load.
To understand the importance of DIN EN 13155, one must first understand its scope. The standard deals specifically with "non-fixed load lifting attachments." These are the devices—such as hooks, shackles, grabs, magnets, vacuum lifters, and plate clamps—that attach the load to the crane hook. In the chain of lifting operations, this is the most volatile link. Unlike the crane itself, which is a fixed piece of infrastructure often operated by a designated driver, lifting attachments are frequently handled by ground personnel, swapped out between jobs, and subjected to wildly varying load dynamics. DIN EN 13155 serves as the rulebook for these devices, replacing older national standards to create a unified safety requirement across the European Union.
A deep dive into the content of the standard reveals a rigorous methodology for risk assessment and hazard mitigation. The document does not merely list dimensions; it establishes a philosophy of safety. It mandates that manufacturers identify potential hazards—ranging from mechanical failure and electrical faults (in the case of motorized lifting attachments) to ergonomic risks for the operator. The standard requires that these hazards be addressed through design rather than mere warning labels. For instance, a vacuum lifter must not only be capable of holding a load but must also have safety mechanisms in place to prevent the load from falling in the event of a power failure. This shift from operational reliance to design-integrity is the standard’s core contribution to safety.
One of the most critical technical aspects detailed within DIN EN 13155 is the categorization of stress and fatigue. Lifting attachments are rarely used for a single lift; they are subjected to thousands of cycles over their operational life. The standard provides detailed tables and formulas for "stress categories" and "mechanical stresses." It forces engineers to calculate the Working Load Limit (WLL) not just based on static weight, but on dynamic forces, impact factors, and the number of lifting cycles the device is expected to endure. By standardizing these calculations, the document ensures that a plate clamp rated for two tons in Germany performs with the same reliability and safety margin as one manufactured in France or Italy.
Furthermore, the standard addresses the intersection of machinery and human factors. It sets forth requirements for marking and documentation. Every attachment compliant with DIN EN 13155 must be clearly marked with its WLL, its mass, and the manufacturer’s identification. This traceability is vital. In the event of an accident or a routine inspection, the "PDF" of the original technical dossier serves as the birth certificate of the device, allowing inspectors to verify that the equipment has been maintained according to the manufacturer's original specifications. The standard also dictates the information that must be included in the "Instruction Handbook," ensuring that operators are not left guessing about the limitations of their equipment.
The relationship between DIN EN 13155 and the broader European regulatory environment is also worth noting. The standard is harmonized with the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC). This means that compliance with the standard provides a presumption of conformity with the essential health and safety requirements of European law. For manufacturers, the PDF of this standard is essentially a map to market access. Without adhering to its guidelines, a manufacturer cannot legally affix the CE marking to their product, effectively barring them from the European market. Thus, the standard serves a dual purpose: it protects the worker from physical harm and the manufacturer from legal liability.
However, the existence of a standard is only as effective as its application. The prevalence of the search term "DIN EN 13155 PDF" suggests that the industry is actively seeking this information, yet the challenge remains in the implementation. The standard requires regular inspections and thorough examinations, a requirement often overlooked in fast-paced industrial environments. The document outlines criteria for when an attachment must be withdrawn from service—such as visible cracks, deformation, or wear beyond specified limits. It is a tool for the inspector as much as it is for the designer.
In conclusion, DIN EN 13155 is a cornerstone document in the field of material handling. It transforms the potentially dangerous act of lifting into a calculated, engineered process. By establishing uniform criteria for load lifting attachments, it removes the ambiguity that often leads to accidents. While it is often accessed as a digital file, its value lies in the physical safety it ensures in warehouses, shipping yards, and factories across Europe. Ultimately, the standard reminds us that in the heavy lifting industry, the most important metric is not the weight of the load, but the integrity of the equipment moving it.
The current consolidated version includes amendments A1 and A2. The publication date of the last corrigendum is 2009, but always check the DIN website for any newer drafts (e.g., a potential 202x revision based on the new Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230). Design and manufacture Testing and inspection Marking and
It does not apply to: