Self-Certification

Self-certification is the most common route to CE compliance for machinery entering the European Union. Unlike the North American market, where third-party listing (like UL or CSA) is often mandatory, EU legislation allows manufacturers to perform the Conformity Assessment procedure internally for the vast majority of products. This process is formally known as Internal Production Control (Module A).

However, "self-certification" does not mean "self-regulation" or skipping safety checks. You bear full legal liability for the equipment. To self-certify, you must rigorously demonstrate compliance with the Machinery Directive and applicable Harmonized Standards. This involves conducting a thorough Risk Assessment, performing necessary testing, and compiling comprehensive documentation.

While this route applies to standard equipment, exceptions exist. If your product is classified as High-Risk Machinery (Annex IV), you may be required to involve a Notified Body for a Type Examination. Regardless of the route, the final step involves signing the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) yourself, signaling your acceptance of full responsibility.