Structure of the MSD 98/37/EC

The Machinery Directive is one of the most extensive of the European Commission’s “New Approach” directives. It has 16 Articles and 7 Annexes. The Articles cover general items such as scope and definitions, placing machinery on the market and putting them into service, free movement of CE marked goods in the European Economic Area, reference to harmonized standards, vigilance and incident reporting, conformity assessment procedures, systems and procedure packs, Authorized Representatives, and consequences of wrongly affixed CE Marking.

Annex I - Describes in full detail the Essential Requirements mandatory for all machinery, subassemblies or components
Annex II - Lists the exact contents of the EC Declaration of Conformity
Annex III - Describes the particulars of how the CE Mark is to be placed on machinery, subassemblies or components
Annex IV - Identifies the machinery, subassemblies or components that require EC type examinations by approved Notified Bodies
Annex V - Instructs the way the EC Declaration of Conformity application is to be handled by the manufacturer
Annex VI - Explains what the results of the EC Examination mean
Annex VII - Identifies the minimum criteria for an approved Notified Body