Safety requirements for machinery

If you build, import, or sell machinery in the Netherlands, it has to comply with European product safety requirements. These are set out in the European Machinery Directive (Machinerichtlijn). The directive also applies if you build machines for your own use. 

What does the Machinery Directive apply to? 

The Machinery Directive applies to for example:

• machines (even if only partly completed)
• interchangeable equipment
• safety components
• lifting accessories
• chains, ropes and webbing
• removable mechanical transmission devices 

Do you manufacture these products and components for your own use? If so, you must also comply with the Machinery Directive. The Machinery Directive sets out descriptions of the products to which the safety requirements apply and those to which they do not apply.

Which requirements apply to your machinery? 

In Annex I of the directive you can find the safety requirements that apply. These apply to such aspects of the machine as: 

• design and ergonomics
• materials and products used in production
• seating and operating positions
• protection against mechanical risks
• safety and security control systems
• instructions for use
• maintenance of machinery 

Please note: machinery may be subject to requirements from other rules and regulations as well. For instance the General Product Safety Regulation, or the directives on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), pressure equipment, or on Low voltage. 

Instruction manual requirements 

Do you manufacture or import products that are subject to the Machinery Directive? You must include an instruction manual with the product. The requirements which the manual must fulfil differ according to product type. There are however minimal requirements for all user manuals. They should for instance be provided in a language the user understands well. For machines governed by the Machinery Directive, for example, you must provide a manual in the language of the country in which you market the product (for instance a German-language manual if you market the product in Germany). 

CE marking 

Does your product fulfil all safety requirements the Machine Directive demands? You must put CE marking on the product. Manufacturers must create a technical file (technisch dossier) on the product which is needed to apply for CE marking.