This Standard specifies safety requirements and their verification for design and construction of portable hand-held, combustion engine driven brush cutters and grass trimmers. This standard is not applicable to backpack powered units, to lawn edge trimmers or to brush cutters equipped with metalic blades consisting of more than one part.It describes methods for the elimination or reduction of risks arising from their use. In addition it specifies the type of information on safe working practices to be provided by the manufacturer. It does not however give any technical requirement to reduce noise and vibration hazards. Indeed the different means available to reduce these risks are a matter for the technical information to which the manufacturer may resort, through specialised books or specific bodies. The list of significant hazards dealt with is given in Annex A. Annex A also indicates the hazards which have not been dealt with. Environmental aspects have not been considered in this standard. This Standard applies primarily to machines which are manufactured after the date of issue of the stanard.