CE services help machine builders comply with legislation

By applying the CE mark, a supplier is claiming the machinery meets the essential requirements of the relevant EU Directives - mainly the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC since this came into force on 29 December 2009. Assemblies of machines such as robot cells and production lines also have to be CE marked.

The CE Marking process and the interpretation of the relevant Directives and standards requires a high level of knowledge and expertise. Such a level of competence is difficult to maintain in an ever-changing regulatory environment. Fortunately, however, Pilz has consultants and engineers available who can assist customers with both the CE marking process and implementing additional safety measures that are found to be necessary to meet the essential requirements of the Directives.

Pilz can manage the entire CE marking project on behalf of a client or provide input as and when called upon. Typically Pilz undertakes the following activities on behalf of clients:

• Identification and application of the relevant Directives and standards
• Hazard analysis and risk assessment
• Creation of a safety concept and generation of related safety design
• Evaluation of compliance with the essential requirements and, if necessary, recommend actions required to achieve compliance
• Conduct all required checks, tests, and measurements
• Compile the legally required documents including the technical file
• Management and archiving of documentation

In both individual machinery projects and projects involving the linking of machines (known in the new Machinery Directive as an assembly of machinery and, in the old Machinery Directive, as complex installations), Pilz can take overall responsibility for CE marking to the extent of signing the Declaration of Conformity. Furthermore, Pilz can also assist with the processes necessary when building 'partly completed machinery' (even though partly completed machinery does not have to have the CE mark applied, the necessary procedures and paperwork are very similar).

CE = 'check everything'

Even with machinery that already displays the CE mark, customers still have a responsibility to ensure the safety of workplace of machinery. Pilz can therefore examine such machinery to ensure that the documentation and machinery meet the necessary standards and that the machine is, in fact, safe.

Whatever the nature of the project, if the safety-related aspects of the machine need further work, customers have the choice of doing it themselves (provided they possess the necessary competences) or working with a third-party supplier, panel builder or system integrator. Alternatively, Pilz can provide engineering services, as well as an extensive range of machinery safety products.

For an example of a CE marking project, see this application story Consultants CE mark test equipment imported from USA. Follow the link for more information about CE marking services from Pilz.