The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and lifting accessories

The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, broadly, is applicable to machinery, defined in Article 2 (a) as an assembly fitted or intended to be fitted with a drive assembly to perform a function. The power, unless used for lifting purposes, must come from other than human power (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.).

‘Lifting accessories’ which, among some other products (which will be the subject of later articles), are not ‘machinery’ as defined in Article 2 (a) and can be as simple as a C-hook or a purpose-built piece of metal used to prop open and hold a cowling on an aircraft during maintenance. Lifting accessories that are permanently attached to lifting machinery are not considered as lifting accessories, the definition is meant to encompass the device between the lifting machinery and the load itself.

Lifting accessories are defined in Article 2 (d):

Another example is an engineered hook used to attach to something to lift it up: such as an engine or an engine part. An engineered piece of metal used in this way, though with no moving parts or electrical components, would require a full evaluation against the requirements of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, Annex I, plus a CE marking, declaration of conformity, and a Technical File.

This means that in order to claim compliance and put a CE marking on your lifting accessory you will need to contact a laboratory experienced with EN ISO 12100:2010 and probably at least one other standard, possibly falling on the C-type standards list as published by the European Commission. For the example immediately above, this is likely the harmonized C-type Machinery Directive EN standard:

EN 13155:2003+A2:2009 Cranes – Safety – Non-fixed load lifting attachments

The EU Commission has published some information for your review if you are unsure regarding where your equipment fits, as pertains to Article 2 (d). See some helpful links below.

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