Economic Operator

"Economic Operator" is the collective legal term defining the four distinct actors in the supply chain: the manufacturer, the EU Authorized Representative, the Importer, and the Distributor. For North American machinery builders, identifying these roles is critical because EU legislation—such as the Machinery Regulation—assigns specific liability to each. You are not just selling a product; you are entering a regulated chain of custody where every link has a duty of care.

If a manufacturer is based outside the EU, the responsibility for compliance often shifts to the Importer or the Authorized Representative. These operators must verify that the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is valid and that the Technical File is available upon request. They serve as the contact point for market surveillance authorities, ensuring that no machine enters the market without an accountable party on EU soil.

Crucially, if a Distributor modifies the machinery or markets it under their own brand, they automatically assume the status of "manufacturer." This triggers full responsibility for the Conformity Assessment and compliance with Essential Health & Safety Requirements (EHSRs), a common trap for private-label agreements.