"All machinery must be accompanied by a translation of the instructions in the language or languages of the country in which the machinery is to be used and by the instructions in the original language."

 

A large number of companies exporting to Europe still supply manuals, etc. in English, however, now that this law is in force, goods may not be allowed to enter a country without proper documentation in the language of the end user.

 

For your convenience, we now have a direct link to the sections that pertain to machinery and translation requirements.

 

We have also provided a link to the entire Council Directive if needed.

 

No matter what business you're in, Worldwide can help you comply with this and similar export legislation. Our translators are carefully selected for each assignment based on their expertise in your industry. This means that you can rest assured that our translations are completed accurately by a knowledgeable, experienced translator who is completely conversant with the terminology of the industry.
If you should require additional information about Worldwide Translation Technologies, Inc. please feel free to contact us at 708-403-4884 or by email.

We have a short version of the CE Requirements and a long version available.

Click on one of the links below:

CE Requirements - short

CE Requirements - long

 

Brief overview:

1.7.4. Instructions

(a) All machinery must be accompanied by instructions including at least the following:

— a repeat of the information with which the machinery is marked, except the serial number

(see 1.7.3) together with any appropriate additional information to facilitate maintenance

(e.g. addresses of the importer, repairers, etc.),

— foreseen use of the machinery within the meaning of 1.1.2(c),

EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 207/20 23.7.98

— workstation(s) likely to be occupied by operators,

— instructions for safe:

— putting into service,

— use,

— handling, giving the mass of the machinery and its various parts where they are

regularly to be transported separately,

— assembly, dismantling,

— adjustment,

— maintenance (servicing and repair),

— where necessary, training instructions,

— where necessary, the essential characteristics of tools which may be fitted to the

machinery.

Where necessary, the instructions should draw attention to ways in which the machinery

should not be used.

(b) The instructions must be drawn up in one of the Community languages by the manufacturer

or his authorised representative established in the Community. On being put into service, all

machinery must be accompanied by a translation of the instructions in the language or

languages of the country in which the machinery is to be used any by the instructions in the

original language. This translation must be done either by the manufacturer or his authorised

representative established in the Community or by the person introducing the machinery into

the language area in question. By way of derogation from this requirement, the maintenance

instructions for use by specialised personnel employed by the manufacturer or his authorised

representative established in the Community may be drawn up in only one of the Community

languages understood by that personnel.

(c) The instructions must contain the drawings and diagrams necessary for putting into service,

maintenance, inspection, checking of correct operation and, where appropriate, repair of the

machinery, and all useful instructions in particular with regard to safety.

(d) Any literature describing the machinery must not contradict the instructions as regards safety

aspects. The technical documentation describing the machinery must give information

regarding the airborne noise emissions referred to in (f) and, in the case of hand-held and/or

hand-guided machinery, information regarding vibration as referred to in 2.2.

(e) Where necessary, the instructions must give the requirements relating to installation and

assembly for reducing noise or vibration (e.g. use of dampers, type and mass of foundation

block, etc.).

(f) The instructions must give the following information concerning airborne noise emissions by

the machinery, either the actual value or a value established on the basis of measurements

made on identical machinery:

— equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level at workstations, where this exceeds

70 dB(A); where this level does not exceed 70 dB(A), this fact must be indicated,

— peak C-weighted instantaneous sound pressure value at workstations, where this exceeds

63 Pa (130 dB in relation to 20 µPa),

— sound power level emitted by the machinery where the equivalent continuous A-weighted

sound pressure level at workstations exceeds 85 dB(A).

In the case of very large machinery, instead of the sound power level, the equivalent

continuous sound pressure levels at specified positions around the machinery may be

indicated.

Where the harmonised standards are not applied, sound levels must be measured using the

most appropriate method for the machinery.

The manufacturer must indicate the operating conditions of the machinery during

measurement and what methods have been used for the measurement.

Where the workstation(s) are undefined or cannot be defined, sound pressure levels must be

measured at a distance of 1 metre from the surface of the machinery and at a height of 1,60

metres from the floor or access platform. The position and value of the maximum sound

pressure must be indicated.

EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 207/21 23.7.98

(g) If the manufacturer foresees that the machinery will be used in a potentially explosive

atmosphere, the instructions must give all the necessary information.

(h) In the case of machinery which may also be intended for use by non-professional operators,

the wording and layout of the instructions for use, whilst respecting the other essential

requirements mentioned above, must take into account the level of general education and

acumen that can reasonably be expected from such operators.


 

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