What is BS EN 12409 – Plastics and rubber machines about? 
BS EN 12409 deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to thermoforming machines for continuous sheet and single sheets of thermoplastics materials, when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Clause 4).
BS EN 12409 does not apply to units which are integrated into form, fill and seal machines. These are covered in EN 415-3:1999.
BS EN 12409 does not apply to units which incorporate heating systems which are fueled by gas.
BS EN 12409 is not applicable to thermoforming machines which are manufactured before the date of its publication as EN.
NOTE 1 This European Standard specifies requirements for machines supplied as a single forming unit or a number of units designed to operate as a single machine. Additional units that may be introduced at a later stage should be considered separately applying relevant standards and taking into account any hazards arising through their interaction with the thermoforming machine.
NOTE 2 Thermoforming machines generally do not create explosive atmospheres. In principle they therefore correspond with line F of Table 2 of the ATEX Guideline and consequently do not fall within the scope of Directive 94/9/EC.
Who is BS EN 12409 – Plastics and rubber machines for? 
BS EN 12409 on Plastics and rubber machines is relevant to: 
- Manufacturers of rubbers and plastic machines
- Health and safety bodies 
- Service providers  
- Any entity responsible for testing and safety of machinery  
Why should you use BS EN 12409– Plastics and rubber machines? 
Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, formed to a specific shape in a mold, and trimmed to create a usable product.
BS EN 12409 specifies safety requirements for thermoforming machines which includes the evaluation of the functions and efficiency of guards and protective devices based on descriptions given in the information for use, safety-related design documents and requirements for use. 
Throughout BS EN 12409, you will find references to the machinery to which the standard applies as well as the hazards, hazardous situations, or hazardous events covered by the standard. 
BS EN 12409 standard covers all significant hazards, hazardous situations or hazardous events occurring in all phases of the machine life cycle when the haul-offs are used as intended and under reasonably permissible misuse conditions. 
Overall, BS EN 12409 is a comprehensive guide to provide safety requirements for plastic and rubber machinery, so users will gain a comprehensive understanding of the process and the end product will be safer, more durable, and will decrease chances of any mechanical failure. 
