In Japan, the work of translation to JIS faced many obstacles. Support groups in Western countries have submitted comments on technical problems. The movement to standard harmonization in safety has rapidly developed in international standardization. The movement for global standardization is developing throughout all the economic areas of the EU. The aim of the Machine Directive that comes into effect in stages is to provide an international formula for a type of qualification in machine safety. EN292 is a nucleus for related standards, which are like a group of planets in a universe. It is a European standard as well as a guideline for implementation, showing practical safety requirements for machines. Horizontal standards, such as EN954 and IEC61508, apply in actual practice. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.