CE / UKCA Marking

 

CE marking of a machine can be a complex process, as there are over 20 European Directives that call for it, and several may need to be complied with for a machine. It is a legal requirement, however, and must be completed before the machine is placed on the market. The enforcing authorities (e.g. the Health & Safety Executive in the UK) will prosecute any company found supplying non-compliant machinery under each country's adoption of the European Directives (e.g. the Supply of Machinery (Safety) regulations 2008 is the UK adoption of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.)

​

We are awaiting to see which direction the UK government will go in, following Brexit's transition period. The UKCA marking process has been proposed, and currently the UK government are stating that the UKCA marking process of a machine will remain identical to the CE marking process; however this is subject to change...

​

There is a lot more to the process than just slapping a CE (or UKCA) mark on a machine; this is the last part! Manufacturers have to show that their machine is compliant to all of the applicable Directives, so thorough knowledge of these Directives, as well as applicable standards, is essential. Documentation is key, as this is how manufacturers show compliance, and this all needs to produced, compiled and validated. Only then can the CE / UKCA mark be applied.

​

Abbey's consultants are highly experienced in the CE marking process, and have aided many machine manufacturers in various different industries. We can help all the way through the process, from initial Design Risk Assessments (DRAs), through the Essential Health & Safety Requirements, verification of compliance to safety standards, review of documentation and manuals, aid with the creation of the Technical File, right the way to the production of the Declaration of Conformity or Incorporation.

​

​