The international guidelines ensure that there are globally harmonised quality standards within the industry. As of 29th December 2009, the manufacturers of complete and incomplete machines are guided by the health and safety requirements as per the new EC Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. The basis for the Machinery Directive is made up of two new EU ordinances 764/2008 EC and 765/2008 EC.
These safety directives are first and foremost intended to protect employees from being injured by machines. Just like before the legislative reform, they stipulate that the manufacturer is responsible for circulating appropriately safe products, while on the other hand, the machine operator must also commit to various obligations.
The operator is thus responsible for resolving or, as far as possible, minimising risks to the operating staff when using the machine. This is why regular training about relevant protective measures for personnel is a legal requirement. It also helps to reduce liability risks resulting from possible accidents that machine operators could be exposed to following the purchase. This clarifies that the Machinery Directive does not just apply to the planning and design phases but also to operation and maintenance.
By only using new components authorised by the manufacturer and legislator as part of our product overhaul repairs we are helping you to ensure that repaired modules adhere to safety-related and legal requirements. This ensures that your maintenance work is completed safely and, that in accordance with the specified quality standards, there are no risks regarding the operating licence, health and safety and service life of your modules.
The European Directive 2006/42/EC, also known as the Machinery Directive, is a significant legislation of the EU that regulates the field of machine safety and occupational health. It was developed to ensure a high level of product safety for machinery in the European market while facilitating the free movement of goods within the EU.
The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is not a regulation in the strict sense but a directive. This means that it must be transposed into national law by the member states. For example, in Germany, this is done through the Product Safety Act and the Machinery Ordinance.
The Machinery Directive establishes fundamental requirements for machines to ensure the safety of individuals who come into contact with them. It applies not only to industrial machinery but also to everyday objects such as household appliances, tools, or toys that have a specific mode of operation.
An important aspect of the Machinery Directive is the risk assessment. Manufacturers must conduct a comprehensive analysis to identify potential risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. This may include the application of relevant standards mentioned in the Machinery Directive. Standards are technical documents that define requirements, procedures, and guidelines for specific products or services.
Furthermore, the Machinery Directive stipulates that machines must be affixed with the CE marking to demonstrate their conformity with the requirements. The CE marking is a symbol indicating that the product complies with the applicable European regulations and can be freely marketed in the European Economic Area.
The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is of great importance in ensuring a uniform level of safety for machinery in the EU. It contributes to reducing occupational accidents, improving occupational health protection, and safeguarding consumers from potential hazards. By establishing clear requirements and procedures, the directive also provides manufacturers with a solid foundation for designing and distributing safe machines.
Overall, the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC represents an important legal framework that ensures the safety of machinery in Europe and contributes to the harmonization of the internal market.
