The European standard providing rules for the improvement of safety of existing passenger and goods passenger lifts, defining risk assessment methodology and a prioritised list of 74 safety improvement measures.
Full Definition
EN 81-80:2019 (Rules for the improvement of safety of existing passenger and goods passenger lifts) applies to lifts installed before the current generation of EN 81-1/2 or EN 81-20/50 standards came into force. It provides a structured risk assessment approach to identify which of the 74 listed safety measures are applicable to an existing lift, and assigns a priority category (A, B, or C) to each: Category A — high risk, immediate action required; Category B — medium risk, action recommended within a defined period; Category C — low risk, action at next major maintenance or modernisation. The measures cover: overspeed governor and safety gear; unintended car movement protection (UCMP); car and landing door locking; lighting and emergency lighting; trap prevention (buffer and headroom clearances); and electrical safety. EN 81-80 is widely used by lift owners, building managers and insurers as the basis for modernisation planning and regulatory compliance. Local building regulations in EU member states may mandate EN 81-80 assessments at defined intervals.
