|
Article 1 of the Machinery Directive specifies its scope as
follows. Machinery is:
| · |
an assembly of linked parts or components of
which at least one moves |
| · |
an assembly of machines which, in order to
achieve the same end, are arranged and controlled so that they function as an
integral whole |
| · |
interchangeable equipment modifying the function
of a machine |
| · |
safety components according to annex IV of the
Directive. |
This means that all machinery products are covered by the
Machinery Directive unless excluded by chapter 3 of Article 1. However, "at
least one of which moves" means that static assemblies such as shelving, racking
etc. are excluded.
Even though the directive says "linked together", machinery
which is sold in dismantled form for the ease of transport has to comply with
the Directive, too. Moreover, machinery where the risks are mainly of electrical
origin is excluded by chapter 5 of Article 1. Such machinery is covered by the
Low Voltage Directive.
As for other Directives, the Machinery Directive applies for
products which are placed on the EU market for the first time. This definition
means that used machines shall comply with the directive if they are imported
from a non-EU member state. Machines that have already been in service in the EU
prior mandatory date of the Directive do not need to comply.
The Machinery Directive makes a clear distinction between
"ordinary machines" and machines considered being particularly dangerous (Annex
IV-machines). As for both machine types different conformity
assessment procedures are specified, it is important to
find out whether the machine is within the scope of Article IV.
Depending on the type of machinery and the components, there
are other directives beside the Machinery Directive
that may be applied to the
product. Some of them are the EMC Directive,
the Low Voltage
Directive and the Simple Pressure Vessel Directive, Pressure
Equipment Directive (97/23/EC).
There are numerous harmonized standards that allow the
presumption of conformity with the Directive. These standards are published in
the Official Journal of the EU and identified as EN. Many are based on IEC
standards. They are broken down into
| · |
or Basic
standards (e.g. EN 292:Safety of machinery/Terminology) |
| · |
or Generic
standards (e.g. EN 418:Emergency stop equipment) |
| · |
or Product
specific standards (e.g.EN 201: Injection molding machines for
plastics) |
To get your product in compliance with the Machinery
Directive, TÜV Rheinland Japan Ltd. offers several packages that are suited to
the kind of product and to client's needs.
|
