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Frequently asked questions - FAQ

Which rules apply for pressure equipment which also meets the definition of machinery in the machinery directive or which is intended to be installed in machinery?
The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) applies to pressure equipment in the sense of Article 1 paragraph 2 of the PED in general, but also the exclusions of Article 1, paragraph 3 have to be considered. Article 1, paragraph 3.6 first indent states that: "equipment classified as no higher than category I under Article 9 of this Directive and covered by one of the following Directives: [among others the machinery directive] are excluded from the scope of this Directive". That means, when a product which is placed on the market is covered by the machinery directive, the exclusion of Article 1 paragraph 3.6 first indent applies to any item of pressure equipment not higher than category I which is a part of that machine (i.e. the pressure equipment directive does not apply). The exclusion also applies to items of pressure equipment not higher than category I separately placed on the market, if their intended use is to be part of machinery which must be laid down in the instructions. In those cases, the essential safety requirements of PED are an appropriate way to obtain the required safety level regarding the pressure hazard. Pressure equipment of higher categories than category I is within the scope of the PED even when it is machinery in the sense of the machinery directive or intended to become part of machinery. See therefore article 3 of the machinery directive 2006/42/EC: “Where, for machinery, the hazards referred to in Annex I are wholly or partly covered more specifically by other Community Directives, this Directive shall not apply, or shall cease to apply, to that machinery in respect of such hazards from the date of implementation of those other Directives.” The PED is such a “Community Directive” in the sense of Article 3 of the machinery directive 2006/42/EC. NOTE:This does not prohibit the inclusion of CE-marked items of pressure equipment in machinery.

Which rules apply for pressure equipment which also meets the definition of machinery in the machinery directive or which is intended to be installed in machinery?

The Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) applies to pressure equipment in the sense of Article 1 paragraph 2 of the PED in general, but also the exclusions of Article 1, paragraph 3 have to be considered.
Article 1, paragraph 3.6 first indent states that:
"equipment classified as no higher than category I under Article 9 of this Directive and covered by one of the following Directives: [among others the machinery directive] are excluded from the scope of this Directive".

That means, when a product which is placed on the market is covered by the machinery directive, the exclusion of Article 1 paragraph 3.6 first indent applies to any item of pressure equipment not higher than category I which is a part of that machine (i.e. the pressure equipment directive does not apply).
The exclusion also applies to items of pressure equipment not higher than category I separately placed on the market, if their intended use is to be part of machinery which must be laid down in the instructions.
In those cases, the essential safety requirements of PED are an appropriate way to obtain the required safety level regarding the pressure hazard.

Pressure equipment of higher categories than category I is within the scope of the PED even when it is machinery in the sense of the machinery directive or intended to become part of machinery. See therefore article 3 of the machinery directive 2006/42/EC:
“Where, for machinery, the hazards referred to in Annex I are wholly or partly covered more specifically by other Community Directives, this Directive shall not apply, or shall cease to apply, to that machinery in respect of such hazards from the date of implementation of those other Directives.”

The PED is such a “Community Directive” in the sense of Article 3 of the machinery directive 2006/42/EC.

NOTE:This does not prohibit the inclusion of CE-marked items of pressure equipment in machinery.

Can EC type tests be performed for machines and safety components which are not listed in Annex IV of the Machinery Directive?
EC type-testing is not possible for machines and safety components which are not listed in Annex IV of the Machinery Directive.

What are "A standards", "B standards" and "C standards"?
The essential health and safety requirements specified in the Machinery Directive and other Single Market Directives are supplemented by European standards. In the area of machinery standardization, a standards hierarchy has been introduced so as to avoid any duplication in the content of harmonized standards. The hierarchy is composed of basic standards (Type A), group standards (Type B [B1 and B2]) and product standards (Type C). Type A standards (basic safety standards) contain the basic terminology, design guidelines and general aspects applicable to all machinery. Type B standards (group safety standards) deal with one safety aspect or one type of safety device which can be used for a whole range of machinery. The B1 standards cover general safety aspects (e.g. safety distances) and the B2 standards are concerned with safety devices/components (e.g. two-hand control). Type C standards (machinery safety standards) list detailed safety requirements for a specific machine or group of machines. Type A and B standards can be seen as "building blocks" for Type C standards. EN 574, for example, describes various safety categories for two-hand control units which drafters of Type C standards can use as a sort of ?catalogue? depending on their estimation of the risk. The safety level required for a particular machine has only be specified in detail when a Type C standard exists for it. The european standardisation body CEN provides a list of European Type A and B standards concerning machinery safety at the following web address: ftp://ftp.cen.eu/cen/.../ENsonsafetyofmachinery.pdf.

What are "A standards", "B standards" and "C standards"?

The essential health and safety requirements specified in the Machinery Directive and other Single Market Directives are supplemented by European standards.

In the area of machinery standardization, a standards hierarchy has been introduced so as to avoid any duplication in the content of harmonized standards. The hierarchy is composed of basic standards (Type A), group standards (Type B [B1 and B2]) and product standards (Type C).

Type A standards (basic safety standards) contain the basic terminology, design guidelines and general aspects applicable to all machinery.

Type B standards (group safety standards) deal with one safety aspect or one type of safety device which can be used for a whole range of machinery. The B1 standards cover general safety aspects (e.g. safety distances) and the B2 standards are concerned with safety devices/components (e.g. two-hand control).

Type C standards (machinery safety standards) list detailed safety requirements for a specific machine or group of machines.

Type A and B standards can be seen as "building blocks" for Type C standards. EN 574, for example, describes various safety categories for two-hand control units which drafters of Type C standards can use as a sort of ?catalogue? depending on their estimation of the risk. The safety level required for a particular machine has only be specified in detail when a Type C standard exists for it.

The european standardisation body CEN provides a list of European Type A and B standards concerning machinery safety at the following web address: ftp://ftp.cen.eu/cen/.../ENsonsafetyofmachinery.pdf.

If a piece of second-hand machinery was produced before the Machinery Directive came into force but has not been operated within the European Economic Area (EEA), does a declaration of conformity have to be produced for it and CE marking be applied to it when it is placed on the EEA market?
Machinery that was produced before the Machinery Directive came into force and has since been operated without any modification in an EEA country is exempted from the provisions of the Machinery Directive. All other machinery placed on the EEA market for the first time after 1 January 1995 is subject to the requirements of the Machinery Directive. Consequently, second-hand machinery and plant that was produced before 1995 but not placed on the market or operated in the EEA also has to comply with the requirements of the Machinery Directive. A declaration of conformity and CE marking are required. If it is no longer possible for such second-hand machinery to meet the requirements of the Machinery Directive, it may not be imported into the EEA.

If a piece of second-hand machinery was produced before the Machinery Directive came into force but has not been operated within the European Economic Area (EEA), does a declaration of conformity have to be produced for it and CE marking be applied to it when it is placed on the EEA market?

Machinery that was produced before the Machinery Directive came into force and has since been operated without any modification in an EEA country is exempted from the provisions of the Machinery Directive.
All other machinery placed on the EEA market for the first time after 1 January 1995 is subject to the requirements of the Machinery Directive. Consequently, second-hand machinery and plant that was produced before 1995 but not placed on the market or operated in the EEA also has to comply with the requirements of the Machinery Directive. A declaration of conformity and CE marking are required.
If it is no longer possible for such second-hand machinery to meet the requirements of the Machinery Directive, it may not be imported into the EEA.

What is the significance of CE marking?
All products with CE marking are freely tradeable on the European single market. The "CE" stands for "Communauté Européenne" (European Community). Many people refer to the CE marking as a type of "passport" for products. Before applying CE marking to a product, the manufacturer must perform one of the conformity assessment procedures set out in the relevant directive. Only when the conformity assessment procedure has been positively concluded, does the manufacturer apply the CE marking to the product, thereby confirming that it meets the essential requirements of all EC directives that stipulate CE marking. The CE marking does not confirm that the product conforms to (harmonised) standards. The manufacturer can choose to take a different approach to that described in the standards, provided the same level of safety is achieved.

What is the significance of CE marking?

All products with CE marking are freely tradeable on the European single market. The "CE" stands for "Communauté Européenne" (European Community). Many people refer to the CE marking as a type of "passport" for products. Before applying CE marking to a product, the manufacturer must perform one of the conformity assessment procedures set out in the relevant directive. Only when the conformity assessment procedure has been positively concluded, does the manufacturer apply the CE marking to the product, thereby confirming that it meets the essential requirements of all EC directives that stipulate CE marking. The CE marking does not confirm that the product conforms to (harmonised) standards. The manufacturer can choose to take a different approach to that described in the standards, provided the same level of safety is achieved.

Why are some products with a GS mark not listed in your "Certified products" database?
The DGUV Test "Certified products" database contains the products that have a valid certificate from a DGUV Test testing and certification body. Products with a certificate issued by a different testing and certification body are not contained in our database.