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Low Voltage Machinery
73/23/EEC 98/37/EC
Enforced January 1, 1997 Enforced January 1, 1995
Who Needs to Comply?
Manufacturers of mechanical and electrical products wishing to sell into the European Union using the CE marking route
Directives in Brief
The Low Voltage Directive applies to electrical equipment designed for use between 50 and 1,000 volts AC or 75 and 1,500 volts DC, and whose primary safety risk is of an electrical nature. This directive requires manufacturers to offer safety protection against electrical hazards arising from the equipment and protection against hazards caused by external influences on the equipment.
The Machinery Directive applies to machinery (with hazards associated with moving parts) and safety components for machinery. This directive requires manufacturers to conduct risk assessments and conform to the essential health and safety requirements. The protection obligations outlined in the directive address a wide range of hazards, such as electrical, mechanical, vibration, and noise.
Routes to Compliance
Low Voltage Directive: The manufacturer has the option of addressing either the European Standards applicable to the product (listed in the Official Journal) or the safety objectives listed in the directive. In some cases, it is in the manufacturers best interest to include a report drawn up by a Notified Body to show due diligence that the product is meeting the safety requirements.
Machinery Directive: Manufacturers have the option of addressing either the European Standard applicable to the product (listed in the Official Journal) or the essential health and safety requirements listed in the directive. For high-risk machinery and safety components listed under Annex IV of the directive, a Notified Body is required for attestation of the product and the technical documentation.
Overlap of the Machinery and Low Voltage Directives
There has been confusion as to whether manufacturers of electrically powered machinery must meet the Machinery Directive or the Low Voltage Directive, or both. In accordance with EU requirements, a manufacturer must legally comply with the more relevant of the two directives. However, the legal opinion in the EU is that whichever directive you choose to apply, the requirements of that directive must cover all risks associated with the product. A risk assessment of the product, properly conducted, will clearly show which directive is relevant. Special High Risk Machinery
There are special rules for CE Marking of high risk machinery that comes within the scope of Annex IV of the Machinery Directive. Technology International (Europe) Ltd. is a Notified Body for the certification of presses and injection molding machines that come within the scope of Annex IV.
Technology International's approach to meeting product safety
Our understanding of the European requirements and safety directives will allow straightforward compliance, with minimum testing and design costs. Our safety experts will review the design and operating environment of your product, utilize any existing test results or regulatory approvals, and provide you with the path and technical justification necessary to guarantee compliance.
Safety Compliance Reviews-Assessment of the product design, determination of the applicable directives and development of the most cost-effective plan for regulatory compliance.
Project Management-Complete turnkey compliance solutions for simple and complex equipment
Technical File Preparation-Complete preparation of the technical documentation, risk assessment, and conformity evaluation required to meet the relevant directive
Technical Support-Support to lead customers through the complex tasks of achieving conformity to the applicable directive
Notified Body Verification-Official Notified Body evaluation, including verification report
Safety Training-Customized training on European safety requirements as well as design practices on how to effectively eliminate/reduce hazards
Interpreation of the Directives-Expert interpretation of the requirements relative to your specific application and Standards
Why use a third party for safety compliance? For unbiased safety assessments to improve design safety, reducing risks of injury
To show "due diligence" and reduce liability
To reduce exposure to government scrutiny and challenge
When workloads and time constraints limit internal staff
Contact Us
Europe: (44)1793 783137 sales@iti.co.uk
North America: (804) 794-4144 ti-sales@techintl.com
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