This European Standard specifies basic requirements for microbiological safety cabinets (MSCs) with respect to safety and hygiene.

This European Standard sets the minimum performance criteria for safety cabinets for work with micro-organisms and specifies test procedures for microbiological safety cabinets with respect to protection of the worker and the environment, product protection and cross contamination. Mechanical, electrical, chemical or radioactive safety precautions are not covered in the standard but are covered in EN 61010-1, EN 292-1 and EN 292-2 (see Bibliography [1], [2] and [3]).

This European Standard does not cover safety precautions for aspects not associated with the use of micro-organisms such as those covering mechanical and electrical hazards, which are covered in EN 61010-1 (see Bibliography [1]), nor does it cover safety requirements regarding flammable gas and inert gases.

NOTE Some features of MSCs in addition to those for performance and safety are given for guidance in this European Standard and in EN 12741 (see Bibliography [4]).