2006/42/EC: CE Machinery Directive
By Koos Gouws
The main idea behind CE marking for products distributed in Europe is to reduce trade barriers between member states of the European Union. The machinery directive provides the uniform requirements regarding the health and safety of persons working with or who are in contact with or in the vicinity of the machinery.
CE is an abbreviation for "Conformité Européene". Application of the CE Mark shows that the manufacturer has submitted a declaration of conformity with the essential requirements for safe machinery, and, in the case of dangerous machinery, that the machinery complies with the applicable "harmonized" standards (standards that have been harmonized between the member states) or that a notified body has conducted an EC type examination of on the machinery.
Conformity to the essential requirements must be proven, and a risk assessment is required.
Member states were required by the European Parliament to include the requirements of the machinery directive in their national legislation by 29 June 2008.
SHEQ Management Systems consults to organizations regarding conformance to the requirements of the machinery directive, We ensure that the process is streamlined, by providing training, advice on the requirements of the directive (legal and technical), assisting with the risk assessment and risk management, as well as with drawing up the declaration of conformity. A full documentation pack is delivered, including all the required documents.
Please note that some individual organizations outside the EU also require compliance with the machinery directive.
The directive is applicable to second hand and partially completed machinery as well.
For further information and to find out how SHEQ Management Systems can assist you in this regard, please contact us.