ISO 18497-1:2024

Overview

ISO 18497-1:2024 - Agricultural machinery and tractors - Safety of partially automated, semi-autonomous and autonomous machinery - Part 1: Machine design principles and vocabulary - establishes general design principles and a common vocabulary for safety of agricultural machines and tractors with automated functions. Published July 2024 (first edition), this type‑B1 ISO standard guides manufacturers and regulators on significant hazards, required safety information and safe working practices (including residual risks). It supports development of more specific type‑C standards and complements the other parts of the ISO 18497 series.

Key topics

ISO 18497-1:2024 addresses high‑level safety principles rather than specific verification methods. Main technical topics include:

• Terminology and vocabulary for partially automated, semi‑autonomous and autonomous functions.
• Design principles that apply to automated functions, such as operator presence, start‑up control, and defined states/modes/actions.
• Human–machine interface requirements covering visual and audible indications and alarms.
• Obstacle protective systems and guidance on operating zones for semi‑autonomous and autonomous operation.
• Monitoring, fault and failure handling to manage safety during normal operation and reasonably foreseeable misuse.
• Labelling, identification and information for use, including manufacturer guidance on safe working practices and residual risks.
• Scope boundaries and exclusions (not applicable to forestry applications, public‑road operations, or machines placed in service before publication).

Practical applications

Who uses ISO 18497-1:2024 and how:

• Machine manufacturers use it as a foundational guide when designing new tractors and agricultural implements with partially automated, semi‑autonomous or autonomous features.
• Regulators and health & safety bodies rely on its principles to assess machine safety and to inform market surveillance.
• Standards developers use it as a base for creating detailed type‑C standards tailored to specific machine groups or functions.
• Equipment owners, operators and service providers benefit from clearer manufacturer information about safe working practices and residual risks.
• It is particularly relevant when performing risk assessments to determine whether the general principles apply (they do not apply when hazards are not significant).

Related standards

ISO 18497-1 is part of the ISO 18497 series and links to other standards for implementation and verification:

• ISO 18497-2 (obstacle protective systems), ISO 18497-3 (autonomous operating zones), ISO 18497-4 (verification and validation)
• ISO 4254-1, ISO 12100, ISO 13849, ISO 25119 series (safety‑related control systems)
• Symbol standards ISO 3767-1/2

Keywords: ISO 18497-1:2024, agricultural machinery safety, partially automated tractors, semi-autonomous tractors, autonomous machinery, machine design principles, obstacle protective system, operating zones, safety standards.