Push Button Switch Safety & Compliance: Standards, Certification & Fail‑Safe Design
Industrial machines rely on seemingly simple components to keep people safe and processes efficient. The push button switch is one of those components: if it fails due to poor design or non‑compliant materials, the consequences can range from machine downtime to severe injury. Safety officers and engineers must navigate a web of regulatory compliance, safety standards and certification requirements. This article deciphers the major standards (IEC 60947‑5‑1/‑5‑5, ISO 13850, UL, CE and RoHS), explains what to look for in a safety‑rated push button switch, and explores fail‑safe design practices for machines and control panels.
TL;DR
Know the standards: IEC 60947‑5‑1/‑5‑5 define performance requirements for control circuit devices and emergency stop buttons, while ISO 13850 sets design principles for emergency stop functions.
Certification matters: Look for UL, CE and RoHS marks. Pilz’s PITestop E‑STOP pushbuttons meet IEC 60947‑5‑1/‑5‑5, EN ISO 13850, UL and CE requirements and are designed to IP65.
Fail‑safe design: Emergency stops are complementary protective measures and should not substitute for other safeguarding functions.
Testing & validation: Safety switches undergo rigorous mechanical, electrical and environmental tests—including mechanical endurance, insulation resistance and ingress protection—to earn compliance certificates.
Partner with experts: Manufacturers such as Push Buttom Switch CDGKZ provide OEM design support to ensure compliance, safety and long‑term reliability.
Safety Standards & Regulatory Compliance
Safety begins with understanding the applicable standards. Several international bodies have developed rules for push button switches used in machinery and control panels.
IEC 60947‑5‑1: General requirements for control circuit devices
IEC 60947‑5‑1 is part of the low‑voltage switchgear and controlgear standard series. It specifies performance requirements for manual control devices—including push buttons, rotary switches and foot switches. The standard covers rated insulation voltage, operating current, mechanical and electrical endurance, and contact reliability. Compliance ensures that a switch can handle the specified voltage and current without premature wear or dangerous overheating. Many manufacturers produce industrial push button switches that meet this standard to guarantee reliable operation across thousands or millions of actuations
IEC 60947‑5‑5 & ISO 13850: Emergency stop devices
For emergency stop devices, additional requirements apply. IEC 60947‑5‑5 and EN ISO 13850 define the principles for design and functional requirements of emergency stop buttons. ISO 13850 describes the emergency stop as a function intended to avert or reduce hazards and emphasises that it must be activated by a single human action. The standard also clarifies that the emergency stop is a complementary protective measure—it should back up guarding and safety functions rather than replace them. IEC 60947‑5‑5 details the mechanical construction, positive‑opening contacts, and colour coding for emergency stop actuators (red button on a yellow background).
UL, CE & RoHS Certification
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) testing in North America verifies that push button switches meet electrical safety standards such as UL 508 and UL 60947‑5‑1. CE marking demonstrates compliance with European directives—particularly the Low Voltage Directive and Machinery Directive. Products sold in the EU must also meet the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, which limits substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium. Manufacturers like Pilz emphasise that their PITestop E‑STOP pushbuttons meet EN/IEC 60947‑5‑1/5, EN ISO 13850, UL and CE requirements and are rated IP65. This combination ensures worldwide acceptance.
Regional Standards & Certifications
Other regions may require CCC (China Compulsory Certification) and CCC Ex for explosion‑proof devices. CCC ensures compliance with Chinese safety and quality regulations. CSA (Canadian Standards Association) tests to CSA C22.2. Because many industrial machines are exported globally, selecting switches with multiple certifications simplifies compliance across jurisdictions.
Key Takeaways
IEC 60947‑5‑1 defines general performance requirements for control circuit devices.
IEC 60947‑5‑5 and ISO 13850 focus on emergency stop design and function, emphasising complementary protection.
UL, CE, CCC and RoHS certifications indicate regional compliance; Pilz’s PITestop E‑STOP pushbuttons meet IEC and ISO standards and carry UL/CE marks.
Internal link: See our guide to UL push button switch standards for details on North American certification.
Certification Requirements & Testing
Manufacturers must test their products rigorously to meet safety standards and pass certification audits. The process evaluates mechanical durability, electrical performance and environmental resilience.
Mechanical & Electrical Endurance Tests
To satisfy IEC and UL standards, push button switches undergo mechanical endurance tests, where they are actuated hundreds of thousands or millions of times. Industrial switches typically achieve mechanical life ratings from 500 000 to several million cycles. Electrical endurance tests involve switching the rated current and voltage to assess contact wear. Depending on the contact material and design, electrical life might range from 100 000 to 500 000 cycles or more. Testing ensures that contacts maintain low resistance, arc suppression and fail‑safe operation throughout their service life.
Insulation & Dielectric Strength
Insulation resistance tests verify that no leakage occurs between live parts and accessible conductive surfaces. Dielectric strength tests subject the switch to high‑voltage pulses to ensure adequate clearances and creepage distances. In addition, positive‑opening mechanisms (defined in IEC 60947‑5‑1) guarantee that normally closed (NC) contacts physically separate when the actuator is pressed—eliminating the risk of welded contacts.
Environmental & IP Rating Tests
Ingress Protection (IP) ratings indicate resistance to dust and water. IP65 means the device is dust tight and protected against water jets, while IP67 means it can withstand temporary immersion. Pilz’s PITestop pushbuttons are rated IP65 and meet international standards. Tests also cover temperature cycling, humidity, chemical exposure and vibration. For explosion‑proof or ATEX environments, additional tests confirm that the device does not create sparks or heat that could ignite gas or dust.
Material & Environmental Compliance
Certification bodies verify that push button switches comply with RoHS and, where applicable, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). This ensures that hazardous substances are limited and materials are traceable. Manufacturers provide Material Declarations and compliance reports for auditing. Industrial push button switch safety therefore covers not just mechanical and electrical performance but also environmental stewardship.
Key Takeaways
Mechanical life tests ensure switches can withstand hundreds of thousands or millions of actuations.
Electrical endurance and positive‑opening tests verify reliable contact separation and arc control.
IP ratings and environmental tests certify resistance to dust, water, temperature, chemicals and vibration.
Internal link: Read about our control panel push button wiring safety tips to ensure correct installation.
Fail‑Safe Design & Machine Safety Applications
Safety certification is essential, but design engineers must also incorporate fail‑safe principles. A compliant push button can still cause hazards if installed incorrectly or used inappropriately.
Complementary Protective Measures
ISO 13850 emphasises that the emergency stop function should not substitute other safeguarding measures. Emergency stop buttons serve as a backup: if guards, interlocks or light curtains fail or a hazard arises, the operator can halt the machine quickly. The standard defines the emergency stop as a function initiated by a single human action intended to avert or reduce hazards. When designing a control system, always implement primary protective measures (e.g., fixed guards, interlocks) and treat the E‑stop as a supplementary layer.
Positive‑Opening & Redundancy
Fail‑safe design requires positive‑opening contacts—a mechanical linkage that forces the NC contact to open even if the contact is welded or spring failure occurs. To ensure redundancy, use dual NC contacts wired in series so that the failure of one contact does not compromise the safety function. Many emergency stop push buttons incorporate two or more contact blocks, enabling cross‑checking by safety relays or programmable safety controllers.
Colour Coding & Ergonomics
IEC 60947‑5‑5 and ISO 13850 specify that emergency stop actuators must be red with a yellow background to ensure high visibility and avoid confusion. For operational stop or reset buttons, use black or green actuators to differentiate them. The button shape should be mushroom‑style for emergency stops, providing sufficient surface area for rapid activation. For example, the Pilz PITestop features a red mushroom button with a yellow background and is latched until manually released—complying with these requirements
Functional Safety & Span of Control
When designing machine safety, consider the span of control—the part of the machine or system that is stopped when an E‑stop is activated. ISO 13850 explains that each emergency stop device may control an entire machine or only a section to avoid creating additional hazards or unnecessary downtime. For example, stopping all conveyors in a long line might not be necessary if only one section poses a risk. The emergency stop circuit should be designed so that resetting the button requires manual intervention in the hazard area, preventing unexpected restart.
Key Takeaways
Emergency stop buttons back up primary safety measures; they are not a substitute.
Fail‑safe design requires positive‑opening contacts, redundancy and correct colour coding.
Span of control must be considered to avoid unintended hazards or unnecessary downtime.
Internal link: Learn about fail‑safe wiring and redundancy in machine safety for detailed circuit examples.
Environmental Compliance & RoHS
Safety is not limited to machine operation—environmental compliance ensures that materials used in push button switches do not pose health or ecological hazards.
RoHS & Hazardous Substance Restrictions
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive limits the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and certain flame retardants in electrical equipment. RoHS‑compliant push button switches use lead‑free solder and safe plating materials. Manufacturers must provide a declaration of conformity and maintain traceability of materials throughout the supply chain. Many CE compliant push button switches also carry a RoHS logo to indicate compliance.
REACH & Conflict Minerals
In the European Union, REACH requires registration and evaluation of chemicals used in manufacturing. Manufacturers must disclose Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and implement safe handling practices. U.S. legislation (Dodd‑Frank Act) requires reporting on conflict minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) sourced from conflict regions. Ethical sourcing ensures that push button switches meet corporate social responsibility goals.
| Substance | Directive / Regulation | Maximum Permitted Concentration | Typical Occurrence in Push Button Switches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (Pb) | RoHS | ≤ 0.1% (1000 ppm) |
• Solder joints • Metal plating on terminals • Brass components (restricted) |
| Mercury (Hg) | RoHS | ≤ 0.1% (1000 ppm) |
• Rare in modern switches • Previously used in contact systems (now prohibited) |
| Cadmium (Cd) | RoHS | ≤ 0.01% (100 ppm) |
• Plating layers on contacts • Pigments in plastics (restricted) |
| Hexavalent Chromium (Cr⁶⁺) | RoHS | ≤ 0.1% (1000 ppm) |
• Anti-corrosion coatings on metal housings • Surface treatments |
| PBB / PBDE (Flame Retardants) |
RoHS | ≤ 0.1% (1000 ppm) |
• Plastic housings • Insulating components (now replaced by halogen-free plastics) |
| SVHC (e.g. certain phthalates) | REACH | Disclosure required > 0.1% |
• Plasticizers in cable insulation • Elastomer seals and gaskets |
| Conflict Minerals (Sn, Ta, W, Au) |
Dodd-Frank Act / REACH-related | Mandatory source disclosure |
• Tin in solder • Gold plating on contacts • Tungsten in heavy-duty contacts |
| *Manufacturers must maintain material traceability and provide Declarations of Conformity for RoHS and REACH compliance. | |||
Environmentally Friendly Design
Choosing durable materials and modular designs contributes to sustainability. Replaceable contact blocks extend product life and reduce waste. Using recyclable metals (aluminum, stainless steel) and recyclable plastics aligns with circular economy principles. Manufacturers like Push Buttom Switch CDGKZ offer customised designs that meet both safety standards and environmental regulations. For example, they can specify halogen‑free plastics or low‑impact surface treatments.
Key Takeaways
RoHS limits hazardous substances in push button switches; compliance requires material declarations and traceability.
REACH and conflict‑minerals regulations add further environmental and ethical requirements.
Sustainable design and modular components reduce waste and support circular economy goals.
Internal link: See our guide to selecting environmentally compliant push buttons for more tips.
FAQ
Q1: What safety standards must a push button switch comply with?
A safety-rated push button switch used in industrial control panels must comply with several international standards. The most common one is IEC 60947-5-1, which defines electrical, mechanical, and insulation requirements for control circuit devices such as push buttons.
For emergency stop applications, the switch must additionally meet IEC 60947-5-5, which specifies requirements for emergency stop actuators, including positive opening contacts, latching mechanisms, and reset behavior.
In global markets, compliance with UL standards (e.g. UL 60947-5-1), CE marking, and RoHS environmental directives is also essential to ensure regulatory acceptance and machine safety approval.
Q2: What makes an emergency stop push button compliant with IEC 60947-5-5?
An emergency stop push button compliant with IEC 60947-5-5 must be designed as a fail-safe control device. This includes:
A red mushroom-shaped actuator with a yellow background
Positive opening (direct opening) NC contacts to ensure circuit interruption even if contacts weld
A mechanical latching function, requiring a deliberate manual reset (twist or pull)
Clear visibility and accessibility for operators
These requirements ensure that the emergency stop function reliably halts hazardous machine movement and cannot be bypassed unintentionally.
Q3: How do OEM manufacturers ensure push button switch regulatory compliance?
Reliable OEM manufacturers, such as Push Buttom Switch CDGKZ, ensure regulatory compliance through a combination of design validation, material control, and certification testing.
This typically includes insulation resistance testing, dielectric strength verification, mechanical life testing, and environmental protection checks (IP rating). Compliance documentation—such as CE declarations, RoHS conformity reports, and UL test data—is maintained for audit and customer review.
For safety-critical applications, OEM suppliers also support custom compliance requirements, helping machine builders meet regional regulations and industry-specific safety norms.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Ensuring push button switch safety goes beyond selecting a brightly coloured button. It requires a thorough understanding of standards (IEC 60947‑5‑1, IEC 60947‑5‑5, ISO 13850), regional certifications (UL, CE, RoHS) and fail‑safe design principles. Industrial push buttons must be tested for mechanical endurance, electrical reliability and environmental protection. Emergency stop functions serve as a back‑up safety measure and should not replace primary safeguardin. Certified products like Pilz’s PITestop E‑STOP demonstrate how compliance can be integrated into robust designs.
As an OEM or machine builder, working with experienced suppliers is the best way to navigate the complex world of safety compliance. Push Buttom Switch CDGKZ offers custom switch solutions that meet global standards and application‑specific requirements. Whether you need an IP67 emergency stop with UL and CE certification or a RoHS‑compliant push button for a control panel, our team can help. Contact us today to discuss your safety compliance needs and ensure your next project meets the highest standards.
