Machine safety and compliance

The term machine is defined as "an assembly fitted or intended to be fitted with a drive system consisting of linked parts or components, at least one of which is movable and which are linked together for a specific application".

The term machine also refers to a set of machines which, in order to achieve the same result, are arranged and controlled so that they function as one.

All machinery placed on the European Union market must bear the CE marking under the European Machinery Directive. But 98% of these machines, from all over the world, are CE marked by the manufacturers themselves, without any further assessment to ensure the conformity and safety of their equipment.

Before putting a machine into operation, it is essential to ensure that it complies with essential safety standards and that it has been correctly installed.

Likewise, after any modification or assembly, it is necessary to check that the machine maintains the safety conditions. Eurocontrol provides you with the technical support to carry out this conformity assessment.

The employer is also responsible for the safety of workers during all phases of the machine's life. The conformity analysis of the machine, whether new, modified or second-hand, identifies the risks associated with the installation, operation, modification or maintenance of the machine, in order to neutralise them.

It is also the responsibility of the employer to procure machinery or equipment that complies with current legislation.

To help you improve the management of your machines, we offer you technical support covering all stages of their life cycle.

Whether you are a designer, manufacturer, integrator, installer or operator, our experts are available to offer you their experience and know-how.

*This procedure does not involve the intervention of a notified body. However, the manufacturer may take independent advice and entrust a competent body of his choice with the checks, inspections, tests and controls necessary to assess the conformity of the machine or carry them out himself. The relevant technical reports shall be included in the technical file.