This European Standard specifies the performance requirements for shutters and external venetian blinds intended to be fitted externally to buildings and other construction works. It deals also with the significant hazards for assembly, transport, installation, operation and maintenance (see list of significant machine hazards in Annex C). It applies to all shutters and external venetian blinds whatever their use and nature of the materials used, as follows and defined in EN 12216: external venetian blind, roller shutter, wing shutter, Venetian shutter, flat-closing concertina shutter, concertina shutter or sliding panel shutter, with or without a system of projection. These products can be operated manually with or without compensating spring, or by means of electric motors (power operated products). However, the durability and endurance of the autonomous supply for power operated shutters and external venetian blinds not connected to the mains supply are not covered. This European Standard deals also with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events when shutters and external venetian blinds are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Annex D). This European Standard covers shutters and external venetian blinds mounted externally. In case such products are installed internally, they should fulfil all relevant safety requirements defined in EN 13120. The noise emission of power operated shutters and external venetian blinds is not considered to be a relevant hazard health and safety requirements. Therefore this European Standard does not contain any specific requirements on noise health and safety objective.