ROPS – Roll-Over Protective Structures
A ROPS is a protective structure designed to reduce the risk of a seat-belted operator being crushed if the machine rolls over. Under section 3.4.3 of Annex I to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, where there is a risk of rolling or tipping over on self-propelled machinery with a ride-on operator, the machine must be fitted with an appropriate protective structure.
EN ISO 3471:2008 (Earth-moving machinery – Roll-over protective structures – Laboratory tests and performance requirements) applies to earth-moving machines with a mass of 700 kg or more, such as dozers, loaders, backhoe loaders, graders, scrapers, articulated dumpers and rollers. In the test, lateral, vertical and longitudinal static loads depending on the machine mass are applied to the protective structure; while the minimum force and energy values are achieved, no member of the structure may enter the deflection-limiting volume (DLV) defined in ISO 3164.
Hydraulic excavators are outside the scope of this standard; EN ISO 12117-2 (ROPS) applies to excavators over 6 tonnes and EN ISO 12117 (TOPS) to compact excavators.
FOPS – Falling-Object Protective Structures
A FOPS is a structure that protects the operator against falling objects (rocks, trees, debris, hand tools, etc.). Under section 3.4.4 of Annex I to 2006/42/EC, ride-on machinery exposed to a risk from falling objects or material must be fitted with an appropriate protective structure.
EN ISO 3449:2008 (Earth-moving machinery – Falling-object protective structures – Laboratory tests and performance requirements) applies to the earth-moving machinery defined in EN ISO 6165 and defines two acceptance levels:
- Level I – 1 365 J: Protection against small objects (bricks, small pieces of concrete, hand tools); for highway maintenance, landscaping and general construction site work.
- Level II – 11 600 J: Protection against heavy objects (trees, rocks); for work such as site clearing, demolition, forestry and mining.
In the test, a standard drop test object is dropped onto the protective structure; the structure must not be penetrated and no member may enter the deflection-limiting volume (DLV). For excavators, EN ISO 10262 applies to operator protective guards.
Legal Framework and Conformity Assessment
ROPS and FOPS are listed in points 22 and 23 of Annex IV to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC; when placed on the market independently, they must bear the CE marking as “safety components” and be accompanied by an EC Declaration of Conformity.
Under Article 12 of the Directive:
- Where the product is manufactured fully in accordance with harmonised standards covering all the relevant essential health and safety requirements, the manufacturer may choose one of the following procedures: internal checks on manufacture (Annex VIII), EC type-examination (Annex IX) or full quality assurance (Annex X).
- Where harmonised standards have not been applied or have been applied only in part, or where there is no harmonised standard covering the relevant requirements, notified body involvement is mandatory (Annex IX or Annex X).
The Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which replaces 2006/42/EC, applies in the EU from 20 January 2027; ROPS and FOPS are listed in Annex I, Part B of that Regulation.
Note on scope: Roll-over protective structures for agricultural and forestry tractors are not assessed under the Machinery Directive but under the type-approval legislation (EU) No 167/2013. ISO 6055 applies to overhead guards on lift trucks, and ISO 8082 (ROPS) and ISO 8083 (FOPS) to forestry machinery.
TESTPLUS Services
TESTPLUS is Notified Body No. 2908 under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. For ROPS and FOPS it carries out or witnesses the tests according to the relevant standards, examines the technical file and, within the scope of its notification, performs EC type-examination, impartially and independently. For applications and quotation requests, please contact us.
