ISO 12643-1:2009 provides safety specifications for the design and construction of new equipment used in prepress systems, printing press systems, binding and finishing systems, converting systems and stand‑alone platen presses. It is applicable to equipment used in a stand-alone mode, or in combination with other machines, including ancillary equipment, in which all the machine actuators (e.g. drives) of the equipment are controlled by the same control system.

The requirements given in ISO 12643-1:2009 are applicable to the equipment covered by all parts of ISO 12643, unless otherwise noted. ISO 12643-1:2009 is intended to be used in conjunction with the applicable part of ISO 12643 that contains additional requirements specific to a particular type of equipment.

ISO 12643-1:2009 addresses recognized significant hazards specific to equipment and systems in the following areas:

• mechanical;
• electrical;
• slipping, tripping, falling;
• ergonomics;
• noise;
• UV and laser radiation;
• fire and explosion;
• thermal;
• other types of emissions [e.g. ozone, ink mist, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), etc.].

The safety principles established in ISO 12643-1:2009 can also be applicable to the design of equipment within areas of technology that are not specified in ISO 12643.