Machinery is in EU/EEA regulated by the machinery directive, often referred to as MD, which defines the basic safety requirements for machinery to be placed on the European market. As the first certification body in Norway, DNV has been designated as Notified Body according to the new Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC).
General
The MD defines machinery as "an assembly, fitted with or intended to be fitted with a drive system other than directly applied human or animal effort, consisting of linked parts or components, at least one of which moves, and which are joined together for a specific application
Machinery comprises everything from handheld tools and moveable units, to large cranes and complex assemblies constituting whole production plants.
New version of the directive from 29th of December 2009
On December 29th 2009, a new version of the MD (2006/42/EC) replaced the previous version (98/37/EC). All product certificates issued according to the old version of the directive expired on this date, regardless of validity date!
The new directive applies to:
- machinery
- interchangeable equipment
- safety components
- lifting accessories
- chains, ropes and webbing designed and constructed for lifting purposes as part of lifting machinery or lifting accessories
- removable mechanical transmission devices
- partly completed machinery
What are the requirements?
The focus of the MD is to put requirements towards the manufacturer to document that the machinery is safe to use and that the users are properly warned about remaining hazards, if any. The requirements with which the manufacturer must document compliance are given in annex I of the MD. As for most other directives, the manufacturer can use a suitable harmonised standard as an alternative to the more functional requirements given in the directive.
The nature and diversity of machinery makes the MD a multidiscipline regulation, when it comes to technology aspects to be covered. The key elements are:
- General knowledge about risk assessments
- General knowledge about mechanical hazards, machinery safety principles, and systematic risk reduction measures
- Mechanical strength
- Pneumatics and hydraulics
- Transmissions
- Guards and interlocks
- Safety systems and their reliability
- Electrical safety
- Electromagnetic Compatibility
- User information
DNV’s role
DNV is appointed as Notified Body for all relevant conformity assessment procedures in the MD. Certificates issued by a Notified Body are valid for and accepted by all member states of the EU/EEA.
The different product categories where the involvement of a Notified Body is mandatory are listed in Annex IV of the directive.
Also for the procedures for which there are no requirements for a notified body, we offer assistance on a voluntary basis. Typical services are assessment of the technical file and/or measures taken in the production to ensure that every unit manufactured complies with the regulations.
We have wide experience in assessing various machinery, and have the necessary multidiscipline competence to be able to understand the most known risk aspects and corresponding risk reduction measures.
DNV is also involved in certification of machinery and cranes in accordance with other rules and regulations, like DNV Rules, offshore regulations, ILO requirements and national ’in-service’ regulations.
The Machinery Directive is closely interrelated with the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC), and in many cases also the R&TTE Directive, Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) and ATEX Directive.
Read on about how to comply with the directive.