EN 81-20 and EN 81-50: Core European Elevator Safety Standards

Introduction: The Backbone of Modern Elevator Safety in Europe

EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 form the foundation of modern elevator safety across Europe. Introduced to replace the former EN 81-1 and EN 81-2 standards, they represent a fundamental shift toward a risk-based, harmonised, and future-proof safety framework for passenger and goods elevators.

Rather than addressing isolated technical rules, EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 establish a comprehensive system covering design, construction, verification, and certification of elevators. All other EN 81 standards build upon this framework and should be understood as extensions—not alternatives—to these core requirements.

This page serves as the master reference for the EN 81 family, explaining how EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 work together and how additional standards complement them in specific scenarios.

What Is EN 81-20?

EN 81-20 defines the safety rules for the construction and installation of elevators. It focuses on design principles and technical requirements intended to reduce risks to passengers, maintenance personnel, and emergency responders throughout the entire lifecycle of an elevator.

Key areas covered by EN 81-20 include:

·        Shaft and pit dimensions and protection

·        Car design, strength, and interior safety

·        Doors, clearances, and protection against crushing or trapping

·        Mechanical and electrical safety components

·        Maintenance and inspection accessibility

The standard introduces stricter requirements compared to its predecessors, particularly in terms of:

·        Increased headroom and pit safety

·        Enhanced protection for maintenance staff

·        Improved door strength and detection systems

·        Reduced risk of unintended car movement

EN 81-20 applies to both passenger and goods passenger elevators, making it the primary design reference for most building types.

What Is EN 81-50?

While EN 81-20 defines what must be designed, EN 81-50 defines how compliance is verified.

EN 81-50 specifies:

·        Test methods for elevator components and systems

·        Examination and calculation requirements

·        Certification and conformity assessment procedures

·        Type testing for safety components

In practice, EN 81-50 ensures that elevators designed according to EN 81-20 can be objectively tested and approved by notified bodies and inspection authorities.

Without EN 81-50, EN 81-20 would remain a theoretical design guideline. Together, they form a complete and enforceable safety system.

Why EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 Must Be Applied Together

EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 are inseparable by design:

·        EN 81-20 → Design and construction rules

·        EN 81-50 → Testing, verification, and certification

Applying one without the other results in incomplete compliance. For this reason, European regulations, notified bodies, and public authorities always reference the two standards jointly.

This dual-structure approach ensures:

·        Consistent safety levels across Europe

·        Harmonised certification processes

·        Improved traceability and accountability

·        Easier integration of additional safety standards

How Other EN Standards Extend EN 81-20 and EN 81-50

EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 define the baseline safety framework. Additional EN standards address specific risks, environments, or use cases that go beyond general elevator operation.

Fire Safety and Emergency Operation

Certain risks only arise during fire scenarios. These are addressed by complementary standards:

·        EN 81-58 – Fire resistance of elevator landing doors

·        EN 81-72 – Firefighters’ elevators designed to operate during fire emergencies

·        EN 81-73 – Fire recall and automatic emergency operation of elevators

These standards rely on the structural and functional safety principles already defined in EN 81-20/50.

Accessibility and Public Use

For elevators used by the general public, additional accessibility and robustness requirements apply:

·        EN 81-70 – Accessibility for persons with disabilities

·        EN 81-71 – Vandal-resistant elevators for public environments

These standards adapt the core design rules of EN 81-20 to ensure inclusive and durable solutions.

Special Operating Conditions

Some buildings are exposed to conditions not covered by general design assumptions:

·        EN 81-77 – Safety requirements for elevators subjected to seismic conditions

This standard introduces additional structural and fixing requirements while remaining fully dependent on EN 81-20/50 principles.

Emergency Communication and Monitoring

Reliable communication is essential in emergency situations:

·        EN 81-28 – Remote alarm systems and emergency communication

EN 81-28 ensures that elevators designed under EN 81-20 can be safely monitored and assisted when incidents occur.

Applicability by Building Type

EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 apply across a wide range of building categories, including:

·        Residential buildings

·        Commercial offices

·        Hotels and mixed-use developments

·        Hospitals and healthcare facilities

·        Public buildings and infrastructure projects

Depending on the building type, additional EN standards may become mandatory or strongly recommended. Understanding how these standards interact is essential during specification and design phases.

EN 81-20 / EN 81-50 and the Bronze Lift Approach

At Bronze Lift, EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 are treated not as minimum compliance requirements, but as the starting point of elevator design.

Our engineering and product development philosophy is built around:

·        Compliance-first system architecture

·        Early integration of fire, accessibility, and seismic requirements

·        Alignment with public and infrastructure project specifications

·        Seamless compatibility with complementary EN standards

This approach ensures that elevators are not only compliant at the time of certification, but remain safe, serviceable, and future-proof throughout their lifecycle.

Conclusion: A Unified Safety Framework

EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 are the cornerstone of modern European elevator safety. All other EN 81 standards exist to extend, refine, or specialise this core framework.

Understanding their role as a unified system—rather than isolated regulations—is essential for architects, consultants, contractors, and building owners aiming for safe, compliant, and resilient vertical transportation solutions.

For deeper insights, explore the related EN standards linked throughout this page, each addressing a specific aspect of elevator safety within the EN 81 ecosystem.