Article 1 of the Machinery Directive specifies its scope as follows Machinery is

• an assembly of linked parts or components of which at least one moves
  
• an assembly of machines which, in order to achieve the same end, are arranged and controlled so that they function as an integral whole
  
• interchangeable equipment modifying the function of a machine
  
• safety components according to annex IV of the Directive.
  

This means that all machinery products are covered by the Machinery Directive unless excluded by chapter 3 of Article 1. However, "at least one of which moves" means that static assemblies such as shelving, racking etc. are excluded.

Even though the Directive says "linked together", machinery which is sold in dismantled form for the ease of transport has to comply with the Directive, too. Moreover, machinery where the risks are mainly of electrical origin is excluded by chapter 5 of Article 1. Such machinery is covered by the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC).

As for other Directives, the Machinery Directive applies for products which are placed on the EU market for the first time. This definition means that used machines shall comply with the Directive if they are imported from a non-EU member state. Machines that have already been in service in the EU prior mandatory date of the Directive do not need to comply.

The Machinery Directive makes a clear distinction between "ordinary machines" and machines considered being particularly dangerous (Annex IV-machines). As for both machine types different conformity assessment procedures are specified, it is important to find out whether the machine is within the scope of Article IV.

Depending on the type of machinery and the components, there are other directives beside the Machinery Directive that may be applied to the product. Some of them are the EMC Directive, the Low Voltage Directive and the Simple Pressure Vessel Directive, Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC).

There are numerous harmonized standards that allow the presumption of conformity with the Directive. These standards are published in the Official Journal of the EU and identified as EN. Many are based on IEC standards. They are broken down into

• Type A or Basic standards (e.g. EN 292:Safety of machinery/Terminology)
  
• Type B or Generic standards (e.g. EN 418:Emergency stop equipment)
  
• Type C or Product specific standards (e.g.EN 201: Injection molding machines for plastics)
  

To get your product in compliance with the Machinery Directive, Lander Testing offers several packages that are suited to the kind of product and to client's needs.