Machinery is any assembly of linked parts, with a non-human or animal drive system moving part of it, movement that is used to perform a specific function. The assembly will also be considered machinery if it is completed but lacks the drive system, it is ready to be installed in a means of transport or it is a human powered lifting system
Machinery products are regulated in the EU by the Machinery Directive
The Machinery Directive also covers other kind of Equipment:
Interchangeable equipment, means a device assembled into a machine or tractor by the operator, meant to change the devices function.
Safety components, which are devices that fulfill a safety function, but it is not necessary to the machine to fulfill its purpose.
Lifting accessories, are pieces of equipment that allow the load to be helped, but doesn’t belong to the lifting machinery. It could be an integral part of the load.
Chains, ropes and webbing means chains, ropes and webbing designed and constructed for lifting purposes as part of lifting machinery or lifting accessories.
Removable transmission devices refers to a component for transmitting power between self propelled machinery or a tractor and another machinery.
Partly completed machinery means an assembly which is almost machinery but cannot perform a function yet, being only intended to be assembled with other devices to become a machinery. A drive system is a good example of this.
In case of doubts regarding the definitions, we suggest checking the guide to application of the machinery directive in the links bellow.
To place machinery on the market, it needs to bear the CE marking, and be accompanied by the EC declaration of conformity. To draw the declaration of conformity a process called conformity assessment needs to be followed.
Machinery manufactured following the Harmonized Standards, bearing the CE marking and accompanied by the EC declaration of conformity will be regarded as complying with the provisions of the directive.
To assess the conformity of a machine the first step is to check if the machinery belongs to the machinery listed in the Annex IV. If it is not listed there, the manufacturer only needs to apply a procedure for assessment of conformity with internal checks on the manufacture, provided in Annex VIII. If the machinery belongs to the list on Annex IV and follow harmonized standards that covers all the health and safety requirements, can also follow the same procedure.
If the machinery listed in Annex IV is not made following the harmonized standards or the standards doesn't cover all the health and safety requirements the manufacturer needs to apply for the EC type-examination procedure provided for in Annex IX and the internal checks on the manufacture of machinery provided for in Annex VIII paragraph 3; or the full quality assurance procedure provided for in Annex X,. Both these options involves a notified body, which is an independent third body that will make verification test to ensure the safety of the product.
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