Machines are used across all industries and for a huge range of functions. For the purposes of CE Marking, a machine can be a simple device with only one moving part or it can be a complete production line. The Machinery Directive probably covers more different types of equipment than any other directive.
Conformance has a huge depth and breadth of experience in helping companies apply the Machinery Directive. Our work brings us into contact with the Essential Health and Safety Requirements and the Harmonised standards on a daily basis. Ask us how we can help you achieve CE marking compliance for your machinery.
- Initial consultation to assess your requirements and decide how we can help.
- Identify the directives and standards which apply to your product.
- Conduct a design review to verify compliance with the applicable requirements.
- Provide you with a report outlining areas of non-compliance and advice to help you rectify them.
- Help to compile a technical file which contains the information required by the directives.
- Liaison with Notified Bodies if required.
- Provide a draft Declaration of Conformity and help you complete it.
- Offer follow up advice when you need it.
Our recent industry experience includes:
- Printing
- Textile production
- Agricultural, forestry and groundscare
- Woodworking machinery
- Machine tools including power presses
- Food production lines
- Lifting equipment and accessories
- Test equipment and facilities
- Automobile production lines
- Plastics extrusion and moulding
- Bulk materials handling
- Mining and minerals extraction
- Power generation including renewables
- Railway infrastructure and maintenance
- Mast climbing equipment
- Construction equipment
- Waste handling and compaction
- Automated warehousing
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to CE Mark my machinery?
Potentially, any piece of equipment with powered moving parts will need to be CE marked under the Machinery Directive. Our free initial consultation will confirm which directives apply to your products.
How do I know if my product complies?
In most cases the best way to judge whether or not a machine complies with the Directive is to check it against the relevant Harmonised standards. We can perform an assessment of the machinery for you, or we can provide you with checklists and other resources so you can do your own assessment.
What do I do if there aren't any standards for my product?
There are many thousands of standards, some of which are for specific types of machine but others which are for general machinery safety or give guidance on how to deal with particular hazards or common machine features. There will always be some standards which can be applied. We will help you to identify which are the best ones to use.
What do I need to do if my product does not comply with the standards?
Usually, the best thing to do is to modify the machinery to make it comply but there are some circumstances where you can ignore the content of the standards and focus solely on the Essential Requirements of the Directive. We will advise which approach is best for your circumstances.
Do I need to get my product approved?
Most products can be self-certified without needing to be inspected or tested by an external body. We will identify whether your product needs notified body approval and assist you in getting the certification if you need it.
How can I get a declaration of conformity for my product?
You can buy formats for your Declarations in our online shop. If you need us to fill it in for you, please contact us.
How do I complete a technical file?
Technical files need to contain all the information which shows that your claim to comply with the directives and standards is justified. We can identify what you need for your technical file and can even compile it for you if you need us to.
How do I apply the CE mark to my Product?
The Directive says that the CE mark must be “affixed in the immediate vicinity of the name of the manufacturer or his authorised representative, using the same technique”. Generally, we'd advise that it goes on the machine data plate, alongside the manufacturer's name and address. We will advise on the contents for the data plate and any other machine markings. You can find the answers to many more CE marking questions in our knowledgebase.
You can find the answers to many more CE marking questions in our knowledgebase.
Other relevant products and services we offer
Online shop
Our shop allows you to purchase a range of useful resources such as self-certification packs, checklists and declaration formats.
Prepaid Consultancy Time
This popular service is used by our customers who do not require extensive support but have specific questions they need answering. Speak to one of our expert engineers without the need to set up commercial arrangements. Visit our Shop to purchase blocks of time to solve your CE Marking and Product Safety issues efficiently.
Training
Our machinery training covers the requirements of the Machinery Directive and how to ensure your machinery complies. We also do more basic 'introduction to CE marking' courses.
Design assistance
We can assist with interpreting the requirements of the directives and standards and applying them to your products. We can also draft instruction manuals, check the content of product labels, data plates, and packaging.
Technical files
If you are unsure what technical documentation you need to show compliance with the Directives we can provide contents lists and formats for compiling and storing the information.
Self-assessment
Conformance can assist you in performing your own product assessment checks, providing you with the necessary standards and checklists.
On-site inspection/assessment
We will visit your works to inspect and assess your machinery and identify any areas which do not comply with the applicable directives and standards.
Self-certification guides
We provide guides which identify the applicable directives and standards for your product and all the other information you will need to do your own assessments. Every guide is tailored to your specific requirements and includes detailed information on how to do the assessment, checklists and formats for recording the results and a draft of the Declaration of Conformity you will need to sign when the process is complete.
Control system analysis
Analysis of the reliability of controls (e.g. emergency stops and guard interlocks) can be complex and difficult, particularly where there are significant numbers of safety-related control functions. Our machinery experts are experienced in conducting functional analysis of machines and systems and can help you navigate complex standards such as EN ISO 13849 and EN 62061 which apply to machinery.