Difference between revisions of "CE Marking of Machinery"

The '''[[Machinery Directive]]''' (2006/42/EC) is intended to harmonise the rules governing the sale of machinery within the EU, while guaranteeing the highest possible level of safety for consumers and workers. It entered into force on 29 December 2009.  

The Directive covers machinery, inter­changeable equipment, safety compo­nents, lifting accessories, chains, ropes and webbing for lifting purposes and removable mechanical transmission devices. It also includes requirements for [[partly completed machinery]]. Annex I of the Directive sets out in detail the essential health and safety requirements for the products covered.

For machinery that does not fall under one of the 23 categories listed in Annex IV of the Directive, the manufacturer himself (or his [[authorised representative]] in the EU) carries out internal checks on the manufacture of the machinery. If a product falls under one of those 23 categories, the manufacturer has the option of carrying out internal checks on the product only if he has applied in full [[Harmonised standard|harmonised European standards]] cov­ering all of the relevant health and safety requirements.

If this is not the case, then the conformity of the product must be assessed through either the [[EC-type examination]] (plus in­ternal checks) or the full quality assurance procedure. These procedures require the involvement of [[Notified Bodies]] and are ex­plained in Annexes IX and X of the Directive.

Once the conformity assessment is com­plete, the manufacturer must affix the CE marking to the product – ‘''visibly, legibly and indelibly''’ in accordance with the spe­cific instructions set out in Annex III of the Directive. The manufacturer must also draw up the [[EC Declaration of Conformity]] and ensure that it accompanies the machinery.