Directives
EU Directives are the primary legislative instruments that drive the CE Mark process. Unlike regulations which apply directly, a Directive acts as a legal instruction to EU member states, requiring them to align their national laws with specific safety goals. For North American machinery manufacturers, this means your equipment must comply with the "essential requirements" laid out in these Directives to legally enter the European market.
Common examples impacting industrial equipment include the Low Voltage Directive (LVD) for electrical safety and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC) for signal interference. Until recently, the core framework for mechanical safety was the Machinery Directive; however, the EU is shifting towards "Regulations" (like the new Machinery Regulation) to ensure stricter, uniform application across all countries without local interpretation.
To ensure compliance, you must identify every Directive applicable to your product. Missing one—such as failing to address RoHS restrictions for hazardous substances—can render your Declaration of Conformity (DoC) invalid, leading to immediate customs delays and potential fines.
