What Does it Mean for a Machine to be CE Marked?

Key Takeaway: You will gain an understanding of what CE marking is, why it is important, and how you should approach it.

Introduction

Whether you provide machinery for your employees or manufacture it yourself, you must guarantee that it is safe. As Denmark is part of the EU, there are naturally a wide range of regulations in this area.

The CE mark on a machine signifies that the manufacturer signs off on the fact that the machine has been manufactured in accordance with applicable directives and regulations.

Let me elaborate.

In the EU, including Denmark, there is a strong focus on ensuring people are not injured by machinery. Machines are often quite dangerous and can cost the user life and limb. To achieve safety, the EU adopted a common directive for machinery in 1996 (revised in 2006), commonly known as the Machinery Directive.

While many directives exist, the Machinery Directive is the most critical one for mechanical equipment.

At the same time, the EU wanted to prevent the machinery market from becoming the "Wild West." Therefore, they decided that manufacturers who build and market machines must stand behind the work they do. To ensure this, it was decreed that every finished machine ready for use must bear a CE mark. This is a physical mark that must be permanently attached to the machine, typically on the type plate.

Can a manufacturer not just buy a roll of CE stickers and slap them on every new machine?

Technically, yes! But the EU was clever here; they simultaneously require the manufacturer to put their signature on a piece of paper. This document is called the Declaration of Conformity. It is a document where the manufacturer signs to confirm that they comply with the Machinery Directive as well as other relevant directives and standards.

Long story short: Any machine used in Denmark MUST be CE marked.

Does a CE Mark Always Mean a Machine is Safe?

Not necessarily. Unfortunately, many manufacturers do not comply with the rules, even though they deliver a CE-marked machine.

It is important to understand that there is no direct, proactive oversight of machine manufacturers. Authorities do not visit manufacturers to check if every machine complies with current laws and regulations. Only for "particularly hazardous machinery" does the Machinery Directive require a third party—a Notified Body—to inspect the machine.

However, most machines do not fall under this requirement. This means you can easily purchase a dangerous and illegal machine that bears a CE mark. Ultimately, it is up to the manufacturer to follow the rules. Remember what I wrote earlier about the roll of stickers?

What is Your Responsibility as a Production Company?

The machinery you provide to your staff must be CE marked. This is your responsibility as a production company—you cannot escape this, regardless of how incompetent the manufacturer may have been.

"The machine must not be put into service without being CE marked."— The Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet)

If an accident occurs, you cannot simply point at the manufacturer and place all the blame on them. It is up to you as a production company to verify that your machines are properly designed and safe. You must also perform a commissioning inspection (ibrugtagningskontrol) before a machine is put into service. We will save the details of what that entails for another post.

How Do I Assess if a Machine is Dangerous?

You generally need to be an expert in directives, standards, and regulations to assess whether a machine meets every single requirement. However, you can use common sense to objectively evaluate if a machine is dangerous.

My advice: Always ask yourself, "How dangerous is this machine?" Could it result in a bruised fingernail, or does it have the potential to cause a fatality?

Safety must always be taken seriously, regardless of the potential consequences of an accident. But the more dangerous the machine is, the more energy you should invest in ensuring it meets current requirements. Read the user manual thoroughly and consider all hazardous situations that could arise around the machine. Use a common-sense assessment; if that isn't enough, read the section below.

Remember This Before You Go

A few words on robotsIndustrial robots, which are part of many production plants today, are often lethal—even if they are relatively small. It requires a skilled integrator or machine builder to secure a robot installation. An industrial robot that is not integrated "by the book" is incredibly dangerous. Here, you must never compromise on safety. In short: the foundation for the CE marking must be flawless.

Better safe than sorryIf you do not have the internal competencies to assess whether dangerous machinery is safe, I always recommend involving a consultant before the machine is put into operation. You don't even have to use us; I say this sincerely for the sake of your and your employees' safety.

Serious machinery accidents happen every year in Denmark, and many of them could have been avoided. Set requirements for your suppliers—preferably as early in the purchasing process as possible! If you have a lot of older machinery and have no idea whether they comply with the rules, get a safety screening done.