Machinery Directive / CE marking

The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC governs the placing on the market and thus the free movement of machines in the European Economic Area (EEA). The application of the Directive has been mandatory since 29 December 2009.

The incorporation of the Directive into national law took effect in Germany with the passing of the “Device and Product Safety Bill (GPSG)” in conjunction with the Machinery Directive.

The conformity assessment can be undertaken by the manufacturer himself, although in cases where one of the following conditions applies, the assessment must be carried out by a notified body.

• The product is listed in Appendix IV of the Machinery Directive
• There is no harmonized standard listed for the product
• The harmonized standard does not cover all relevant safety and health requirements.

The conformity assessment is followed by the declaration of conformity. If a product falls within the remit of the EC Directive, a CE marking is required in addition to the declaration of conformity. It is the producer’s responsibility to affix it to the product.

NB – The CE marking does not mean, however, that the product has been tested by an officially authorized testing and certifying body.

What is needed for this is the passing of a type approval test based on the GPSG. Products having undergone the type approval test carry the GS marking (“Geprüfte Sicherheit” or “Safety Approved”). This certificate is valid for a maximum number of five years before having to be renewed.

Topic related links to the European Commission

Machinery Directive

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innotec supports you in undertaking all necessary steps and formalities in obtaining the declaration of conformity:

These encompass:

• Research into all relevant directives, standards and legal provisions
• Carrying out a risk assessment
• Compiling all necessary documents
• Drafting the conformity assessment
• Preparing the declaration of conformity