INDUSTRY NEWS

The third publication of the Machinery Directive took place in 2006 - called new Directive 2006/42/EC, and was adopted in April and June 9, 2006 published in the Official Journal of the EU.
The first recital of Directive 2006/42/EC notes that this "new Machinery Directive " is not entirely new, but is based on Directive 98/37/EC which itself has codified Directive "Machinery" 89/392/EEC amended by Directives 91/368/EEC, 93/44/EEC, 93/68/EEC and 98/79/EC.
Requirements of the new Machinery Directive were transcribed into national law of each country of the European Union (transcript had to be made before June 29, 2008) so that this new machine Directive shall apply starting from 29 December 2009 and replaces Machinery Directive 98/37/EC.
Requirements of this new machinery directive and associated European regulations concerns both manufacturers of machine and safety components, machinery distributors and users. The new Directive 2006/42/EC lays down the foundation and regulatory basis for the harmonization of Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) in the field of machinery at Community level.
No transition period took place in 2009, because manufacturers had more than three years to anticipate these developments and be aware of new requirements.
Changes in relation to the Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) of the previous directive, do not deeply change the Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR).
The directive applies to machinery as well as interchangeable equipment, safety components, lifting accessories, chains/ropes/webbing, removable mechanical transmission devices and partly completed machinery.
Machinery that is covered by more specific directives is excluded from the scope. This includes
• agricultural and forestall tractors
• motor vehicles and their trailers
• certain electric and electronic products such as household appliances or office equipment