Machinery Directive

What is the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC)?

The Machinery Directive (MD) looks to guarantee that all mechanical and electro-mechanical products placed on the market or brought into use, within the EU / EEA, are safe and pose minimal risk to human health. It's important to state that the MD also includes risks to domestic animals and goods, arising out of the use of machinery.

This includes risks from noise, radiation and electrical hazards posed by a wide scope of mechanical and electro-mechanical devices including all machinery; interchangeable equipment and safety components.

To claim your product conforms, you must affix a valid CE Marking to the product and produce a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) backed up by a Technical File.

Full details about the Machinery Directive can be found on the European Commission website here.

Update- New Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230

The ‘new’ Machinery Safety legislation has now been officially announced on the European Union website. The transition period, from now until the 14 January 2027, will allow manufacturers to continue using the existing Directive 2006/42/EC for the European market, but the intention is to allow time for them to migrate across to the new Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, in time for the final date. 

Does the Machinery Directive Apply To Me?

Whether it be for domestic, commercial, or industrial use, all machinery placed on the market or brought into service within the EU must comply with the Machinery Directive.

Machinery is defined as any product that contains a linkage of parts that moves under power for a purpose. It also covers assemblies that aren’t whole machines, and groups of assemblies or machines that function together for a common purpose.

In addition to this, the Directive also brings into scope: Interchangeable equipment, safety components, lifting accessory, chains, ropes and webbing, removable mechanical transmission devices, partly completed machinery. 

How Do I Comply With The Machinery Directive?

If the MD applies to your product, you are obliged to meet its Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs). You have the option of addressing either the EHSRs directly or showing compliance with the relevant EU harmonised standards.  

For equipment that falls under Annex IV of the Directive, the manufacturer must either demonstrate conformity to the applicable harmonised standard(s) or use a Notified Body to certify the product and its technical documentation through EC Type Examination. When the UK left the EU, all exsisting Notified Bodies based in the UK transitioned into Approved Bodies. This spilt between the UK and Europe means that moving forward Approved Bodies will no longer have the authority to issue European Type Examination Certification. It also means European based manufacturers with a Type Examination Certificate issued by an EU Notified Bodies will need to apply for a UKCA issued Certificate from an Approved Body.