Industrial
Machinery testing and certification
Industrial machinery with moving parts.
Machinery — conformity scope
For machinery, the file starts with a risk assessment: guards, emergency stop, control-circuit safety and noise are set up accordingly. Electrical equipment and EMC are separate headings; the type of machine changes the conformity-assessment route.
The list below is the European Union framework. The same product falls under a different mark and approval regime in another market; Smart Service Finder shows that market's requirements when you select it.
Regulation
Machinery legislation that typically comes into play for
The following is the European Union framework and shows typical application. Which title actually applies depends on the class, intended use and components of the product; The scope is determined by examining the product.
The current Machinery Directive. Imposes risk assessment, essential health and safety requirements and a technical-file obligation.
Replaces 2006/42/EC and becomes mandatory on 20 January 2027 with no further transition period. Requires notified-body involvement for Annex I high-risk machinery.
The Low Voltage Directive. Governs electrical safety in the 50–1000 V AC range.
The Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive. Emission and immunity are covered together.
Equipment and protective systems used in explosive atmospheres. The category and conformity route are determined by zone classification.
Noise emitted into the environment by outdoor equipment. Machinery within scope requires a sound-power-level declaration and marking.
What is required?
Each item links to the relevant service page: the legislation entry to the certification scheme, the test family to the laboratory page, and the mark to the market page.
European Union — required mark
5- CE — European UnionThe umbrella for entering the EU market; all regulations applicable to the product are met.
- LVD — European UnionLow Voltage Directive — no notified body; the declaration is made by the manufacturer.
- EMC — European UnionElectromagnetic Compatibility Directive — emission and immunity requirements.
- PED — European UnionPressure Equipment Directive — the NB's role increases as the category rises.
- ATEX — European UnionExplosive atmosphere equipment — NB is mandatory for category 1 and electrical category 2.
Required legislation
4- Machinery Directive
- Pressure Equipment Directive (PED)
- ATEXIf used in an explosive atmosphere
- EMC Directive
Required tests
4- Mechanical TestingStrength and fatigue
- Metals & Metallurgy TestingMaterials and welding
- Vibration & Shock
- Electrical Safety
What must be in the technical file
6- Technical file and risk assessment (ISO 12100)
- The EU declaration of conformity
- Instructions for use and maintenance manual
- Welding procedure qualification (WPS/WPQR)
- Material certificates (EN 10204 3.1/3.2)
- Details of the authorised representative or importer established in the EU
How does the process work?
The flow below is a general order independent of product type; timing and acceptance criteria are determined by the standard the product falls under.
1Defining the scope
It is determined which legislation the product falls under based on its technical characteristics and intended use.
2Testing and evaluation
Tests are planned for the applicable headings; results are evaluated according to the relevant standards.
3Technical file
Design, production and test records are compiled in the technical file, accompanied by a risk assessment.
4Declaration or certificate
Depending on the product group, the manufacturer's declaration is prepared or third-party certification is carried out.
Machinery which market is it going to?
Who bears the obligation, where the test will be performed, and what customs will require all vary by market.
What changes depending on the market?
Same product, different regimen
- European UnionUnder the CE mark, the Machinery Directive is the basis; electrical equipment is demonstrated via IEC 60204-1 and the safety control system via ISO 13849-1. From 20 January 2027, (EU) 2023/1230 is mandatory and a notified body is required for Annex I machinery.
- United KingdomThe UKCA regime carries the same technical requirements into its own legislation; CE marking is recognised indefinitely for many product groups.
- United StatesOSHA 29 CFR 1910 requirements and the ANSI B11 series of machine-safety standards apply; NFPA 79 covers electrical equipment.
Products in the same group
Machinery — let's work out the scope together
Share the product's technical characteristics; let us tell you in writing which headings apply to your scope and which tests are required.
This result is a starting roadmap, not a conformity assessment. Which legislation a product falls under depends on its technical characteristics, intended use and user group; it is only finalised by examining the product. You may have an obligation not shown in the list, and an item shown here may not apply to your product.