Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC comes into force on December 29th 2009 and brings with it a number of changes which will impact greatly on machine builders. One of these changes is a new requirement that a manufacturer based outside the EU must appoint a person based in the EU, to be responsible for providing the technical file to the national authorities if so requested.

This person may also be an authorised representative, but does not have to be one, the key point is that such a person does not have to actually draw up or produce the technical file, only to be responsible for providing authorities with access to it. Any individual or company based in the EU could offer this service. Once appointed, the name and address of this person established within the EU, must be included on the Declaration of Conformity.

This will impact greatly on non-EU machine builders who have previously self-certified their equipment. Whilst they can still self-certify, they will now need to establish a link with a European company or individual before selling their equipment into the EU.

Laidler Associates can offer a comprehensive technical construction file holding service for the new machinery directive which can be tailored to the individual company requirements.

There are two main options for the Technical Construction file holding service. These are:

1. One off machinery

For £1000.00, Laidler Associates will hold the Technical Construction File within Europe for a period of ten years and make it available for inspection if required by national authorities.

2. Series manufacture