The new regulations affect both the end-users and the firms producing equipment and machinery. Considering machine safety and control reliability while designing the machinery and equipment is a must for all the machine manufacturers, as a prerequisite for joining the global market.
The essence behind this international security effort is the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, that relates to the safety of all equipment and machinery manufactured to be used in the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). This directive compels machinery manufacturers to adhere to the CE marking on their products.
This safety-related directive, though of European origin, affects multinational companies, end users and manufacturers of machinery and equipment everywhere.
By machine, it means the whole of the associated components or parts which are brought together for a particular application, in particular for operation, acting with at least one of the appropriate actuator, control and power circuits. The definition also incorporates a group of machines operating as a whole and equipment that changes the function of a machine. Thus, the manufacturing companies that make production within this scope have to comply with the requirements of the machinery directive.
The Machinery Safety Regulation (2006/42/AT) has been issued in our country by the Ministry of Industry and Trade based on the mentioned directive. As per this regulation, when properly installed, used as intended and maintained, machines must not harm human safety and health and, if appropriate, pets and property. In this case, however, it is feasible to offer the machines to the consumers. For this objective, the Regulation details out the basic safety conditions that must be conformed with during the production and design phase, the conformity assessment processes to be conformed with and also determines the minimum criteria to be considered while appointing of the notified bodies for conducting conformity assessment.
The Machinery Directive provides that only the companies producing machinery and equipment for the EU market must use the CE mark. Companies producing independent equipment and components having no independent energy source need not require marking.
The primary aim of the Machinery Directive is to make sure of the health and safety of employees, especially in relation to the risks arising from the use of machinery. The injurious effect of many accidents caused as a result of direct machine use can be prevented by safe production, maintenance, machine design and installation.
Installing one or more emergency stop devices on each machine for avoiding potential or real hazards for safety reasons is one of the basic requirements of the Machinery Directive. It is also mandatory to identify hazards, assess risk and take measures to boost the reliability and meet standards to reduce the chances of failure.
In a nutshell, the Machinery Directive is the most comprehensive directive for machines and all the machines marketed in the EU and the EEA must meet the safety requirements mentioned in it.
The Machinery Directive also covers certain applications, devices and machines that don’t fall within its scope. It includes other directives, such as the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive, and the directives for explosive atmospheres, batteries and simple pressure vessels, as well as the directives for hazardous substances and PPE.
Eurotech Assessment and Certification Services Pvt. Ltd. is a Notified Body that provides CE Mark Certification for construction products. We provide you with step-by-step guidance for meeting all the legal requirements of CPR 305/2011 and getting your product CE marked. We also provide CE Certification for medical devices, electrical/electronic equipment, pressure equipment, construction products and RoHS Certification.
Drop your queries at trg@eurotechworld.net to know more about our CE Certification Services.