Overview
EN ISO/ASTM 52938-1:2025 - "Additive manufacturing of metals - Environment, health and safety - Part 1: Safety requirements for PBF‑LB machines" is a harmonized European edition of the ISO/ASTM joint standard published by CEN. It defines technical requirements and verification methods for metal powder bed fusion using a laser (PBF‑LB) - excluding pyrophoric feedstock and machines manufactured before the standard’s publication. The standard covers all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events throughout the machine life-cycle (per ISO 12100) when the machine is used as intended or under reasonably foreseeable misuse. It does not apply to explosive atmospheres or to other AM technologies.
Keywords: EN ISO/ASTM 52938-1:2025, PBF‑LB, metal 3D printing, laser powder bed fusion, additive manufacturing safety, machine safety, EHS.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Risk assessment and reduction following ISO 12100 principles for the whole machine life cycle.
- Control systems and functional safety (including guidance consistent with ISO 13849 and related standards).
- Guards, interlocks and protective devices to prevent access to moving parts and laser radiation (interfaces with IEC/EN 60825 and ISO 14119).
- Laser safety and classification, beam containment and shielding for PBF‑LB lasers.
- Powder handling and emissions measures to control hazardous material release and worker exposure (ventilation, filtration, safe powder transfer).
- Energy isolation and lock‑out for electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems (reference to IEC/EN 60204-1, ISO 4413, ISO 4414).
- Start/stop, emergency stop and control modes - design and placement of controls, prevention of unintended start-up (ISO 13850, ISO 14118).
- Maintenance, cleaning and servicing requirements including access, instructions and safe procedures.
- Ergonomics, noise and vibration considerations and relevant measurement/verification methods.
- Marking, warnings and documentation - operator instructions, safety labeling and training materials.
Applications and who should use it
This standard is intended for:
- Machine manufacturers and designers of metal PBF‑LB systems implementing EHS controls and CE‑marking evidence.
- Safety and EHS managers, plant engineers and facility operators evaluating procurement, installation, commissioning and safe operation of metal 3D printers.
- Service and maintenance teams developing safe procedures for cleaning, powder handling and energy isolation.
- Certification bodies and notified bodies assessing conformity to machinery and laser safety requirements.
Practical uses include machine design validation, factory risk assessments, developing SOPs for powder handling, and meeting regulatory/legislative expectations for machinery safety.
Related standards
Relevant referenced standards include ISO/ASTM 52900 (AM fundamentals/vocabulary), ISO 12100 (risk assessment), ISO 13849 (safety-related control systems), IEC/EN 60825 (laser safety), IEC/EN 60204‑1 (electrical equipment), and standards for noise, ventilation and explosive atmospheres. These provide complementary technical detail for compliance and verification.