ABB guide tackles Machinery Directive

22 October 2009

ABB is addressing the new EU Machinery Directive with the publication of a guide to functional safety for machine builders. The guide, which is available as a PDF, explains the practical steps required for compliance and describes the applicable standards, background and theory.

ABB’s technical guide to functional safety
ABB’s technical guide to functional safety

A major development introduced with the Machinery Directive is that variable speed drives can now be used in safety systems. The document details how drives can help make machinery more cost-effective and user-friendly while maintaining a high level of safety.

The EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC applies to any new machinery launched after December 29, 2009. It requires machine builders to carry out a documented risk assessment on the essential health and safety requirements relating to their product. This is necessary to obtain the CE mark, a mandatory conformity mark on machinery and many other products placed on the single market.

Machine parts or incomplete machines must be supplied with a declaration of incorporation defining which requirements of the directive apply and have been complied with.

Machine builders can carry out self-certification without a recognised test centre, provided that they have a quality assurance procedure according to the Directive.

The ABB technical guide to functional safety can be requested by sending an email to energy@gb.abb.com


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