CE Marking - Machinery Directive

General
This information leaflet is intended for manufacturers of machines covered by the Machinery Directive (98/37/EC).

The directive defines a machine as being:

"... an assembly of interconnected parts, at least one of which is able to move, serving a specific purpose ..."

The definition also includes:

"... assemblies of several machines with connected functions, a removable attachment which alters the function of the machine, which is connected to the machine by the operator himself, and which is not a spare part or an engine ..." and

"... separately marketed safety components whose malfunction could endanger people or the environment ..."

What is covered by the directive?
The scope of the definitions above is comprehensive. However, the directive excludes a number of specific product-categories:

• Elevators for persons
  
  
• Human-powered machines
  
  
• Medical machines which come into direct contact with patients
  
  
• Fairground machines
  
  
• Steam boilers and pressure vessels
  
  
• Machines with nuclear applications, defects to which could lead to releases of radioactivity
  
  
• Sources of radioactivity built into machines
  
  
• Firearms
  
  
• Containers and pipe-work for the storage and transportation of inflammable liquids and dangerous substances
  
  
• Vehicles for the conveyance of people by air, road, rail or inland waterway, except where used in the mining industry
  
  
• Ocean-going vessels and mobile offshore units
  
  
• Cable systems for the conveyance of people
  
  
• Certain categories of agricultural and forestry tractors
  
  
• Military machines and machines for the maintenance of order

Most of the above mentioned product categories are covered by specific EU-directives. Where the safety of an appliance is regulated by another specific directive, the Machinery Directive will cease to apply, or will be applicable only for the typical aspects of the appliance having moving parts.

For example: If risks associated with a machine are also of an electrical nature, the Low Voltage Directive is applicable. Many harmonized standards on low voltage equipment are assigned to the Low Voltage Directive. These standards also contain requirements concerning hazards caused by the moving parts of the equipment. Basically the Machinery Directive remains applicable; however, compliance with a harmonized standard may indicate compliance with the Low Voltage as well as the Machinery Directive.

Where, for machinery, the risks are mainly of electric origin, such machinery shall be covered exclusively by the Low Voltage Directive.

Machines constructed for private use are also subject to essential requirements and CE marking.

Conformity Assessment Modules
In principle Module A applies. However, the Machinery Directive identifies a number of machine-categories comprising those with a high safety risk and a number of safety components. For these products Module Ba applies. Module B requires the involvement of a "Notified Body".

Products for which Module B, applies include:

• Wood and meat processing machines, such as circular saws, sawing machines, surface planning machines, single-sided planning machines, band saws, tenoning machines, milling machines, portable chain-saws,
  
  
• Pesses and press brakes for cold metal processing
  
  
• Machines for injection moulding and pressing plastics
  
  
• Machines for injection moulding and pressing rubber
  
  
• Machines for underground work
  
  
• Garbage vehicles fitted with presses
  
  
• Protection systems and removable power take-off for transmitting power
  
  
• Garage lifts for vehicles
  
  
• Devices for lifting persons with falling risk of more than 3 meters.

The following products also come within the scope of the Machinery Directive:

• Electro sensitive devices for detecting the presence of people (optical devices, sensor mats, etc.)
  
  
• Logical units for two-hand operation
  
  
• Automatic guards for the above-mentioned machines

A purchaser who modifies, completes or assembles a machine is, under the terms of the Machinery Directive, a manufacturer and therefore responsible for compilation of the Technical Construction File, conformity with the essential requirements of the directive, drawing up the Declaration of Conformity and applying or reapplying the CE marking.

When did the directive come into force?
The Machinery Directive has come into force on January 1st, 1993, after which there has been a two-year transition period. Starting January 1st, 1995, CE marking on machines is mandatory.