This European Standard, when used together with EN ISO 4254-1 and EN 15811, specifies the safety requirements and their verification for the design and construction of hydraulic backhoes mounted to the three point linkage of a tractor. It describes methods for the elimination or reduction of hazards arising from the intended use of these machines by one person (the operator) in the course of normal operation and service. In addition, it specifies the type of information on safe working practices (including residual risks) to be provided by the manufacturer.When requirements of this document are different from those which are stated in EN ISO 4254-1, the requirements of this document take precedence over the requirements of EN ISO 4254-1 for machines that have been designed and built according to the provisions of this document.This European Standard, taken together with EN ISO 4254-1, deals with all the significant hazards, hazardous situations and events (as listed in Table 1) relevant to hydraulic backhoes mounted to the three point linkage of a tractor, when they are used as intended and under the conditions of misuse foreseeable by the manufacturer. This European Standard is not applicable to lifting operations for the movement of unit loads with hooks or other similar devices; materials connected with excavation activities shall should not be intended as unit loads and their movement is covered by this Standardstandard. This European Standard does not give requirements for quick hitch devices. NOTE 1An amendment of EN 474-1 is under preparation to deal with this issue. It will be evaluated for inclusion in this European Standard. NOTE 2Specific requirements related to road traffic regulations are not taken into account in this European Standard.This European Standard is not applicable to hydraulic backhoes which are manufactured before the date of its publication as EN.