Overview
ISO 20607:2019 - Safety of machinery - Instruction handbook - General drafting principles - provides requirements for machine manufacturers on preparing the safety‑relevant parts of an instruction handbook (instruction manual). It supplements the general information-for-use requirements of ISO 12100:2010 and defines how safety‑related content, structure and presentation should cover all phases of the machine life cycle. The standard is intended to make instruction handbooks clear, readable and effective at communicating residual risks, reasonably foreseeable misuse and safeguards. It does not address noise or vibration declaration and is not retroactive to machines manufactured before publication.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 20607 sets out principles and practical requirements for the safety sections of instruction handbooks, including:
- Audience and information needs
- Define target groups (operators, maintenance staff, integrators, vulnerable users) and tailor content accordingly.
- Content structure and mandatory sections
- Core content areas: introduction, safety, machine overview, transport/handling/storage, assembly/installation/commissioning, OEM settings, operation, changeover, inspection/maintenance, cleaning/sanitizing, troubleshooting/repair, dismantling/scrapping, documents/drawings, glossary and annexes.
- Presentation and legibility
- Clear layout, comprehensible terminology, formatting, use of warnings, hazard and safety symbols, indexing and annexes to improve usability.
- Residual risk communication
- Principles to disclose residual risks after risk reduction measures (per ISO 12100) and to describe signals/warning devices provided with the machine.
- Language, formulation and style guidance
- Guidance on concise wording, multilingual versions, warning phrasing and readability for professional and non‑professional users.
- IT security considerations
- Requirement to consider IT security vulnerabilities where relevant.
- Normative references and alignment
- Cross-references to ISO 12100:2010 and informative links to IEC/IEEE 82079-1 for general instruction drafting principles.
Practical applications and users
ISO 20607 is primarily useful for:
- Machine manufacturers (SMEs to large enterprises) preparing compliant instruction handbooks.
- System integrators who assemble machine systems and need to document safety strategy and interfaces.
- Health & safety regulators, market surveillance bodies and accident prevention organizations evaluating instruction quality.
- Maintenance/service providers, employers and machine users who rely on clear safety documentation.
Use cases include drafting or revising instruction manuals to meet regulatory expectations, improving usability and safety communication, and supporting conformity assessment and market surveillance.
Related standards
- ISO 12100:2010 - General principles for design, risk assessment and reduction (normative reference).
- IEC/IEEE 82079-1 - Guidance on content and presentation of instructions for use (informative).
- Type‑C machine standards take precedence where applicable.
Keywords: ISO 20607, instruction handbook, safety of machinery, machine manufacturer, information for use, ISO 12100, residual risks, instruction manual, risk reduction, IEC/IEEE 82079-1.