A few year ago we wrote an article titled:
“Is the BS EN 16005 law?”
Somethings have changed since then so here’s an updated version!
The short answer to the above? No – but it’s the key recognised standard for compliance.
What BS EN 16005 Is
BS EN 16005:2023 is the current UK designated safety standard for power-operated pedestrian doorsets. It’s the British Standards Institution’s implementation of EN 16005, a harmonised European standard.
In Great Britain, new automatic doors fall under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 [1] (SMR 2008). These regulations are the legal requirements – not the standard itself. However, following BS EN 16005 gives you a ‘presumption of conformity’ with the law, meaning it’s the accepted route to prove your installation meets safety requirements.
In short: SMR 2008 is the law. BS EN 16005 is how you show you’ve met it.
What About Maintenance?
For doors already in use, the law comes from the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 [2] (PUWER). PUWER places duties on anyone who owns, operates, or controls work equipment – including powered pedestrian doors – to ensure they are:
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Safe for use
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Maintained in a safe condition
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Inspected to ensure they remain safe
While PUWER doesn’t name BS EN 16005, applying the standard is the recognised way to demonstrate a powered door is “maintained in a safe condition”. This includes carrying out risk assessments, regular maintenance checks, and safety testing in line with EN 16005 guidance.
What’s Happening in the EU?
If you work across borders, it’s worth noting that in the EU, the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC will be replaced by the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 from 20 January 2027. This doesn’t change GB law but will affect CE-marked products placed on the EU market.
The Bottom Line
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BS EN 16005 is not law – but it’s the industry-recognised route to legal compliance for powered pedestrian doors.
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For new installations: follow BS EN 16005 to meet SMR 2008 requirements.
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For existing doors: maintain them in line with BS EN 16005 to comply with PUWER.
By following the standard, you not only meet legal obligations – you also help ensure every powered door is safe for public use.
Why Engineers Should Train to BS EN 16005 – and Why with the ADIA
Completing BS EN 16005 training ensures engineers have the up-to-date knowledge and practical skills to install, maintain, and risk-assess powered pedestrian doors in line with the recognised safety standard. This not only helps fulfil legal duties under SMR 2008 and PUWER but also demonstrates professionalism and commitment to safety to clients. By training with the Automatic Door Installation Association, engineers gain City & Guilds-accredited certification – a mark of quality and credibility that is widely respected in the industry. ADIA courses are designed by industry experts, include both theory and practical elements, and provide ongoing support and resources, ensuring engineers can apply the standard confidently in real-world situations.
[1] Regulation 2A(1) of SI 2008/1597 defines a ‘designated standard’ as a technical specification adopted by a recognised standardisation body and designated by the Secretary of State by publication — compliance with such a standard confers a presumption of conformity.
[2] Under Regulation 5(1) of PUWER, employers are legally required to keep work equipment—including automatic doorsets—’in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
