EU's latest machinery directive in action

EU's latest machinery directive in action-EU passed the latest Machinery Directive on May 17, 2006 (2006, 42/EC), Compared with the current Machinery Directive 98/37/EC, New requirements and significant changes have emerged in the scope of the new directives, boundaries with other directives, market surveillance, safety components, conformity assessment procedures, and basic health and safety requirements. This paper analyzes the core content of the decree, gives the main changes of this decree, and helps relevant departments and enterprises to actively respond to emerging technical barriers.
1 Foreword
 
On May 17, 2006, the European Parliament and the European Council formally adopted the latest version of the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), which is one of the basic laws on health and safety established by the European Union in accordance with the new method (Newapproach).
Compared with the current Machinery Directive 98/37/EC, new requirements and significant changes have emerged in the scope of the new directives, boundaries with other directives, market surveillance, safety components, conformity assessment procedures, and basic health and safety requirements. In the face of new technical barriers, relevant departments and enterprises should conduct research in advance and actively respond to them from the perspective of practical application and technology.
 
The new Act consists of a text and 12 annexes. The text includes 29 terms: applicable mechanical scope, noun concept definition, market surveillance, market launch and delivery, qualification presumptive and harmonized standards, handling of potentially hazardous machinery specific measures, coordination of standard dispute resolution procedures, protection clauses, mechanical compliance assessment procedures, mechanical semi finished parts complete mechanical device specification, designated certification body, CE logo, instruction 95/16/EC revision instructions, etc. The annex mainly includes: Basic health and safety requirements for mechanical design and manufacturing, requirements for mechanical conformity declarations, CE marking, mechanical catalogues for performing conformity assessment, safety component list, mechanical semi-finished parts, mechanical assembly instructions, technical documentation requirements, conformity assessment of internal audits of mechanical manufacturing processes, EC type testing, perfect quality assurance procedures, and minimum standards to be considered by each member when designating a certification body.
 
The content of the entire decree has been refined in various aspects. At the same time, the clauses in the original 98/37/EC Directive that describe the same content are grouped into separate clauses, and the entire legal framework is clearer. It helps manufacturers, certification bodies, member states and other relevant parties to understand and apply the content of the law.
 
2 Legislative basis for the new version of the Machinery Directive
 
The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is one of a series of measures based on Article 95 of the New EU Treaty (EcTreatv) (former Article 100). The main purpose of Article 95 of the EU Treaty is the mechanical safety and health requirements for achieving a single European market for goods and services. The development of the new Machinery Directive takes into account the proposals from the European Commission and the opinions of the European Economic and Social Committee. The purpose of this revision of the Machinery Directive is to propose a better definition of the various concepts in order to clarify the relevant issues and better ensure the uniform application of the Directive and ensure the free circulation of products within the EU, at the same time, guarantee a high level of health, safety and consumer protection.
 
The earliest mechanical safety directive was 89/392/EEC, and 9l/368/EEC added mobile machinery and lifting equipment for loading cargo which not originally included. The 93/44/EEC adds requirements for manned elevators not covered by the Elevator Directive. A few days ago, 98/37/EC added regulations on CE marking, documents and information on conformity declarations, and increased mandatory requirements. The new Directive 2006/42/EC is currently in force and will be officially implemented on December 29, 2009. The requirements for portable ammunition for fixed instruments and other impact machines will be postponed until July 29, 2011.
 
3 Scope and definition of mechanical safety instructions
 
Unlike the Directive 98/37/EC, the new Directive not only excludes some mechanical equipment, but also specifies the applicable mechanical products. New instruction coverage expands, construction hoists, ammunition drives fixed equipment and impact machines will not be excluded. At the same time, the coverage of the new directive clearly excludes the motor, reducing the uncertainty in the manufacturer's management.
 
The distinction between new instructions and low voltage (LowVoltage) instructions is no longer based on "main risk" (MainRisk), the six categories of electrical and electronic products listed are covered by the Low Voltage Directive, while other machines cover electrical risks by the Low Voltage Directive, but the conformity assessment procedures and market requirements are governed by mechanical instructions.