Component-Level Testing

Component-Level Testing is the process of verifying the safety and performance of individual parts—such as motors, relays, or power supplies—before they are integrated into the main assembly. Unlike System-Level Testing, which evaluates the machine as a whole, this granular approach ensures that critical sub-assemblies meet specific Harmonized Standards independent of the wider system.

For North American manufacturers, this becomes a critical step when utilizing parts that lack existing EU certification. A common misconception is that a UL-listed component is automatically acceptable; however, if that component lacks a CE mark or a valid Declaration of Conformity (DoC) from the vendor, it acts as a "black box" in your compliance strategy. In these cases, the component must undergo specific electrical or mechanical testing to prove it meets directives like the Low Voltage Directive (LVD).

Data from these tests is essential for populating your Technical File. Without valid component-level evidence, the final machine cannot legally be certified, as the safety of the whole relies entirely on the integrity of its parts.