Frequently Asked Questions: CE Marking, Noise, Machinery and EMC

2000/14/EC is the EU directive regulating the noise emitted into the environment by equipment for use outdoors. Annex I defines 57 types of equipment, including construction machinery, compressors, generators, cranes, lawnmowers and lift trucks. They fall into two groups: equipment subject to noise limits (Article 12) and equipment subject to noise marking only (Article 13). Türkiye applies the same rules through its harmonised national regulation.

Equipment under Article 12 must not exceed the noise limits set in the Directive, and a notified body must be involved in the conformity assessment (Annex VI, VII or VIII). Equipment under Article 13 has no limit value; the manufacturer declares conformity itself through internal control of production (Annex V). In both groups, the guaranteed sound power level must be shown on the equipment.

For the equipment listed in Article 12. Examples: excavators, loaders, dozers, graders and backhoe loaders below 500 kW, compaction machines, compressors below 350 kW, power generators below 400 kW, tower and mobile cranes, paver-finishers, hand-held concrete-breakers and lawnmowers. TESTPLUS performs these assessments as Notified Body No. 2908 under 2000/14/EC.

Combustion-engine driven counterbalanced lift trucks are covered, but the obligation depends on the type. Standard (“other counterbalanced”) diesel/LPG lift trucks with a rated capacity of not more than 10 tonnes fall under Article 13 and only need marking. Rough-terrain trucks and lift trucks above 10 tonnes fall under Article 12, with a noise limit and notified body assessment. Details: Directive 2000/14/EC and lift trucks.

It is the value the manufacturer guarantees will not be exceeded, obtained by adding the measurement uncertainty and series-production variations to the measured A-weighted sound power level. It is expressed in dB and appears on the noise label next to the CE marking and in the EU declaration of conformity. For Article 12 equipment, it must not exceed the limit determined by the power or mass of the machine.

The measurement follows the test code defined for each type of equipment in Annex III of the Directive. The basic standard is EN ISO 3744: the machine is placed on a reflecting plane at the centre of a hemispherical measurement surface, the sound pressure is measured at the microphone positions and the sound power level is calculated. Operating conditions (idling, operation under load, hydraulic cycle) are set by the test code. Details: construction equipment noise measurement.

Annex VI: the notified body assesses the technical documentation and follows production through periodical checks; the most common route for series production. Annex VII (unit verification): each machine is verified individually; suitable for one-off or small-quantity equipment. Annex VIII (full quality assurance): the manufacturer’s quality system is approved and audited by the notified body.

The guaranteed sound power level must be shown next to the CE marking in the form of the model in Annex IV, with “LWA” and the value in dB. The label must be visible, legible and indelible and must be on every unit. The value on the label must be the same as the guaranteed value in the EU declaration of conformity.

Yes. For machinery covered by the Turkish Communiqué on the Import Inspection of Machinery (2026/32), in force since 1 January 2026, import inspection is carried out through TAREKS, and the documents uploaded include the EU declaration of conformity and the noise certificate. For products with a combustion engine, compliance with 2000/14/EC is required even if it is not stated against the tariff code. See our guide to exporting machinery to Türkiye.

Yes. Where a measurement area complying with the test code is available, the measurement can be made at the manufacturer’s factory, at a warehouse or at an open test site; the machine does not need to be taken to a laboratory. Environmental conditions and background noise are checked during the measurement and the necessary corrections are applied. TESTPLUS carries out noise measurements on site throughout Türkiye and abroad.

The CE marking is mandatory for machinery placed on the EU market. What is commonly called a “machinery CE certificate” is the EU declaration of conformity drawn up by the manufacturer, together with, where required, the EC type-examination certificate issued by a notified body. The CE marking is affixed once the risk assessment, the technical file and conformity with all applicable legislation are in place. Details: machinery CE certification.

For the machinery listed in Annex IV of the Directive (for example certain woodworking machinery, presses, vehicle servicing lifts and devices for lifting persons). If the manufacturer has applied the relevant harmonised standards in full, it may also choose internal checks (Annex VIII); if standards have not been applied or have been applied only in part, EC type-examination (Annex IX) or full quality assurance (Annex X) is required. TESTPLUS performs these assessments as NB 2908.

EC type-examination (Annex IX of 2006/42/EC) is the procedure in which a notified body examines the technical file and a representative sample of the machine and verifies that it meets the essential health and safety requirements. If the result is positive, an EC type-examination certificate is issued. The manufacturer must have the validity of the certificate reviewed by the notified body every five years.

Under Annex VII of 2006/42/EC, the technical file contains a general description of the machine, overall and detailed drawings, control circuit diagrams, the risk assessment, the standards applied, test reports, the instructions, a copy of the EU declaration of conformity and the measures ensuring conformity in series production. It must be kept for at least 10 years from the date of manufacture of the last unit.

Risk assessment follows EN ISO 12100: the limits of the machine are determined, hazards are identified, and risks are estimated, evaluated and reduced. The order of risk reduction matters: first inherently safe design, then guards and protective devices, and finally warnings and information for the user. The risk assessment is a mandatory part of the technical file.

Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 replaces 2006/42/EC from 20 January 2027. The main changes are mandatory notified body involvement for the high-risk machinery in Annex I, Part A, new requirements for cybersecurity and for safety functions involving artificial intelligence, and the possibility of providing instructions in digital form. Details: new Machinery Regulation.

Machinery placed on the market in conformity with 2006/42/EC before 20 January 2027 is not affected. Machinery placed on the market after that date must comply with Regulation (EU) 2023/1230; the technical file, risk assessment and declaration of conformity must be updated to the new Regulation. It is advisable to review the status of your existing certificates with your notified body as part of your transition plan.

EN 60204-1 is the safety standard for the electrical equipment of machines. It covers the supply connection, disconnecting devices, protection against electric shock, emergency stop, control circuits, wiring, protective bonding and marking. It is harmonised under the Machinery Directive and is a core part of the conformity assessment of most electrically powered machines.

EN ISO 13849 is the standard used to design and verify the safety-related parts of machine control systems. For each safety function, the required performance level (PLr) is determined from the risk assessment; the performance level achieved by the design (PL a–e) is then calculated from the category, reliability and diagnostic coverage to show that it meets the required value.

There is no single period; it depends on the legislation and the module. Under the Machinery Directive, the EC type-examination certificate is reviewed every five years. For products CE-marked on the manufacturer’s own declaration (Module A) there is no time limit, but a reassessment is needed when the product or the standards change. Details: how long is a CE certificate valid.

It covers electrical and electronic apparatus and fixed installations that may cause electromagnetic disturbance or whose performance may be affected by it. Household appliances, industrial machinery, control panels, lighting products and electronic equipment are within its scope. For products with a wireless module, the EMC requirements are met through the Radio Equipment Directive (RED).

EMC tests fall into two groups. Emission tests measure the electromagnetic noise produced by the apparatus: conducted and radiated emission, harmonic current and voltage fluctuation (flicker). Immunity tests measure its resistance to external influences: ESD (EN 61000-4-2), radiated RF (EN 61000-4-3), burst (EN 61000-4-4), surge (EN 61000-4-5), conducted RF (EN 61000-4-6) and voltage dips (EN 61000-4-11).

Usually not. For products under 2014/30/EU, the manufacturer may declare conformity itself through internal production control (Module A). If it wishes, it may choose EU type-examination (Module B) followed by Module C and obtain a notified body assessment; this route is preferred especially where harmonised standards have not been applied in full. TESTPLUS (NB 2908) is the only notified body designated in Türkiye under 2014/30/EU. In every case, independent and reliable test reports are the foundation of the technical documentation.

First, look for a standard specific to the product or product family: for example EN 55014-1/-2 for household appliances, EN 55032/EN 55035 for multimedia equipment, and EN 61326-1 for measurement and laboratory equipment. If there is no product-specific standard, the generic standards apply: EN 61000-6-1 and EN 61000-6-3 for residential and light-industrial environments, and EN 61000-6-2 and EN 61000-6-4 for industrial environments.

For machines and systems that cannot be taken to a laboratory because of their size or installation, the relevant standards allow emission and immunity measurements to be made where they are installed (in situ); the measurement conditions and environmental effects must then be stated clearly in the test report. TESTPLUS provides EMC conformity assessment under 2014/30/EU, covering the review of test reports and the technical documentation.

The burst test (EN 61000-4-4) measures immunity to the fast transients produced by switching inductive loads; it is applied to supply lines through a coupling/decoupling network (CDN) and to signal lines with a capacitive clamp. The ESD test (EN 61000-4-2) measures immunity to electrostatic discharge caused by human touch. Details: EMC burst testing and EMC ESD testing.

Voluntary certification is where a manufacturer chooses to have conformity assessed by an independent third-party body for products where the legislation does not require the involvement of a notified body. For machinery not listed in Annex IV of 2006/42/EC, for example, the manufacturer may declare conformity on its own; it can still request that the product be examined against the relevant harmonised standards and that the result be documented in a certificate. TESTPLUS provides voluntary machinery safety certification for machinery outside Annex IV.

No. It is not mandatory and it does not replace the manufacturer’s legal obligations. Preparing the technical file, drawing up the EC declaration of conformity and affixing the CE marking remain the manufacturer’s responsibility in every case. A voluntary certificate shows that this declaration is supported by the examination and tests of an independent body. A certificate issued in the voluntary field is not an EC type-examination certificate.

The main benefits are: Compliance with the safety requirements is confirmed by a body that is independent of the manufacturer and impartial. Gaps in the design and the technical file are identified before the product is placed on the market. Confidence increases among importers, distributors and end users, and third-party certificates required in tenders and purchasing specifications are met. Demonstrating conformity during market surveillance and customs controls becomes easier. In the event of an accident or complaint, the manufacturer has documented evidence that due care was taken.

TESTPLUS provides voluntary machinery safety certification for machinery that is not covered by Annex IV of 2006/42/EC; generators and compressors are typical examples. Many of these products also fall under the Outdoor Noise Directive 2000/14/EC; in that case the involvement of a notified body may be mandatory on the noise side, and the two assessments can be planned together. Contact our technical team to find out which scope applies to your product.

The process follows the same steps as in the mandatory field: application and definition of the scope, review of the technical file, tests and inspection against the relevant harmonised standards, reporting of the findings and the conformity decision. A certificate is issued for products found to be in conformity. TESTPLUS does not provide consultancy; the technical file is prepared by the manufacturer and TESTPLUS only carries out the conformity assessment.

A notified body is an independent organisation designated by a country to carry out conformity assessment under specific EU legislation and notified to the European Commission. Each body has a four-digit number that can be verified in the Commission’s NANDO database. TESTPLUS’s number is 2908.

Yes, where the legislation allows it. For example, under the EMC and Low Voltage directives, or for machinery outside Annex IV, the manufacturer may declare conformity itself through internal production control (Module A). In that case, the manufacturer bears full responsibility for the test reports, the technical file and the declaration of conformity. Details: self-declaration.

TESTPLUS Teknik Kontrol ve Belgelendirme is EU Notified Body No. 2908, accredited by TÜRKAK under AB-0155-U to ISO/IEC 17065 and under AB-0181-YS to ISO/IEC 17021-1. Its main fields are noise emission under 2000/14/EC, machinery safety under 2006/42/EC and electromagnetic compatibility under 2014/30/EU; it is one of only seven bodies worldwide notified under all three. Details: our accreditations.

The process usually consists of: application and sharing of product information, scoping and quotation, technical file review, tests and measurements (in a laboratory or on site), reporting and, if the result is positive, certification. The time required depends on the complexity of the product and the readiness of the technical file. To apply, use the form on our contact page.