Definition
Nature of certification: CE-MD certification is the EU’s mandatory safety certification system for mechanical products , requiring all machinery and equipment entering the EU market to comply with the safety standards of the Machinery Directive (Machinery Directive, 2006/42/EC).
Core content
CE: Derived from the French “Conformité Européenne” (European Conformity), it means that the product complies with EU health, safety and environmental regulations .
MD: stands for “Machinery Directive”, specifically refers to the EU Machinery Directive .
Scope of application: covers mechanical equipment (such as machine tools, lifting machinery), interchangeable equipment, safety components , etc.
Purpose
Core goal: Safety assurance : Ensure that mechanical equipment does not pose a danger to the operator or the environment during use, and prevent potential hazards such as mechanical movement, electrical risks, noise and vibration.
Health protection: Protect the health of users and third parties through design specifications and protective measures (such as emergency stop devices and safety covers) .
Market and regulatory objectives:
Free circulation: Certified products can be sold freely in the EU market, eliminating trade barriers .
Accident prevention and control: Reduce mechanical injury accidents caused by design defects or manufacturing omissions .
Environmental requirements:
Some machinery needs to comply with environmental standards (such as energy consumption limits) to reduce the impact on the environment.
⚠️ Note: It is necessary to distinguish between the Machinery Directive (MD) and the Medical Device Directive (formerly MDD, now MDR). CE-MD certification only applies to mechanical equipment, not medical devices.
