Rules, standards & laws for lifts
In Germany, a number of laws, standards, regulations and technical rules for operational safety (TRBS) apply to the maintenance of lifts and emergency calls in them. The following is a list of reference documents with short summaries.
The German Act on Installations Requiring Monitoring (ÜAnlG) provides many details on the operation of lifts. It also defines, among other matters, operators’ obligations.
The Act on Installations Requiring Monitoring (ÜAnlG) at www.gesetze-im-internet.de
The German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV) defines the requirements for the operational safety of work equipment, which also includes lifts.
Link to the Betriebsicherheitsverordnung 2015 at https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/
The German Technical Rules for Industrial Safety (TRBS) specify in detail the topics of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health.
The TRBS 3121 contains requirements for the operation and maintenance of lifts. TRBS 3121 at baua.de
The German Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) defines the requirements for workplaces, including lifts.
Link to the Arbeitsstättenverordnung 2004 at https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/
The German Product Safety Act governs the safety requirements for technical work equipment and consumer products.
Link to the Product Safety Act at https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/
The DIN EN 81 series of standards specifies the requirements for the design and operation of lifts, as well as many other details concerning lifts.
Unfortunately, the standards can only be obtained for a fee from Beuth Verlag. An overview of the EN 81 series of standards can be found here.
The DIN EN 81-28 standard provides requirements for emergency calls in lifts.
Unfortunately, the standards can only be obtained for a fee from Beuth Verlag. An overview of the EN 81 series of standards can be found here.
The DIN EN 13015:2008 standard (Maintenance for lifts and escalators – Rules for maintenance instructions) specifies the requirements for maintenance and maintenance companies.
Unfortunately, the standards can only be obtained for a fee from Beuth Verlag. DIN EN 13015 index
The AMEV (Arbeitskreis Maschinen- und Elektrotechnik staatlicher und kommunaler Verwaltungen) recommendation for lifts (Empfehlung Aufzug 2022): It provides a comprehensive and practical working aid for all those involved in the planning, installation and use of lift systems, particularly in public buildings.
The Aufzug 2022 instructions for planning, tendering and using lift systems in public buildings
This list is not exhaustive and additional laws, standards, regulations and Technical Rules for Industrial Safety may also be relevant, depending on the type of lift and its mode of use. It is important that lift operators know and comply with the applicable standards and regulations to ensure the safety of people and property.
