Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 · Annex III · in force from 2027

Essential Health and Safety Requirements

The 163 points of Annex III, in the same order as the official text: 28 categories grouped into 6 chapters. Search by keyword or by number, for example 1.2.1.

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163 of 163 requirements

Definitions · Annex III, Part A

hazard: A potential source of injury or damage to health.
danger zone: Any zone within and/or around machinery or a related product in which a person is subject to a risk to his or her health or safety.
exposed person: Any person wholly or partially in a danger zone.
operator: The person or persons installing, operating, adjusting, maintaining, cleaning, repairing or moving machinery or a related product.
risk: A combination of the probability and the degree of an injury or damage to health that can arise in a hazardous situation.
guard: A part of machinery or a related product used specifically to provide protection by means of a physical barrier.
protective device: A device (other than a guard) which reduces the risk, either alone or in conjunction with a guard.
intended use: The use of machinery or a related product in accordance with the information provided in the instructions for use.
reasonably foreseeable misuse: The use of machinery or a related product in a way not intended in the instructions for use, but which may result from readily predictable human behaviour.

Chapter 1Essential health and safety requirements

Applies to every machine or related product, regardless of type, except where otherwise specified (see General Principles, point 4).

1.5 · Risks due to other causes

1.6 · Maintenance

1.6.1 Machinery or related product maintenance Adjustment and maintenance points shall be located outside danger zones. It shall be possible to carry out adjustment, maintenance, repair,… 1.6.2 Access to operating positions and servicing points Machinery or related products shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to allow access in safety to all areas where intervention i… 1.6.3 Isolation of energy sources Machinery or related products shall be fitted with means to isolate it from all energy sources. Such isolators shall be clearly identified.… 1.6.4 Operator intervention The machinery or related product shall be so designed, constructed and equipped that the need for operator intervention is limited. If opera… 1.6.5 Cleaning of internal parts The machinery or related product shall be designed and constructed in such a way that it is possible to clean internal parts, which have con…

1.7 · Information

1.7.1 Information and warnings on the machinery or related product Information and warnings on the machinery or related product shall preferably be provided in the form of readily understandable symbols or p… 1.7.1.1 Information and information devices The information needed to control machinery or a related product shall be provided in a form that is unambiguous and easily understood. It s… 1.7.1.2 Warning devices Where the health and safety of persons may be endangered by a fault in the operation of unsupervised machinery or a related product, the mac… 1.7.2 Warning of residual risks Where risks remain despite the inherent safe design measures, safeguarding and complementary protective measures adopted, the necessary warn… 1.7.3 Marking of machinery or related products In addition to the marking requirements in Article 10 and 24, machinery or related products shall be marked visibly, legibly and indelibly. 1.7.4 Instructions for use In addition to the obligations set out in Article 10(7), instructions for use shall be drawn up as set out below. 1.7.4.1 General principles for the drafting of instructions for use a) The contents of the instructions for use shall cover not only the intended use of the machinery or related product but also take into acc… 1.7.4.2 Contents of the instructions for use 1. 1.7.5 Sales literature Sales literature describing the machinery or related product shall not contradict the instructions for use as regards health and safety aspe…

Chapter 2Supplementary essential health and safety requirements for certain categories of machinery and related products

Machinery and related products for foodstuffs, machinery and related products for cosmetics or pharmaceutical products, portable hand-held or hand-guided machinery and related products, portable fixing and other impact machinery and related products, machinery and related products for working wood and material with similar physical characteristics and machinery and related products for plant protection products application shall meet all the essential health and safety requirements set out in this chapter (see General Principles, point 4).

2.1 · Machinery and related products for foodstuffs and machinery and related products for cosmetics or pharmaceutical products

2.1.1 General Machinery or related products intended for use with foodstuffs or with cosmetics or pharmaceutical products shall be designed and constructe… 2.1.2 Instructions for use The instructions for use for machinery or related products for foodstuffs and machinery or related products for cosmetics or pharmaceutical…

2.2 · Portable hand-held or hand-guided machinery or related products

2.2.1 General Portable hand-held or hand-guided machinery or related products shall: 2.2.1.1 Instructions for use The instructions for use shall give the following information concerning vibrations, expressed as acceleration (m/s2), and transmitted by po… 2.2.2 Portable fixing and other impact machinery or related products Grouping heading: this point contains no independent normative text in Annex III; the specific requirements are set out in points 2.2.2.1, 2… 2.2.2.1 General Portable fixing and other impact machinery or related products shall be designed and constructed in such a way that: 2.2.2.2 Instructions for use The instructions for use shall give the necessary information regarding:

2.3 · Machinery or related products for working wood and material with similar physical characteristics

2.3 Machinery or related products for working wood and material with similar physical characteristics Machinery or related products for working wood and materials with similar physical characteristics shall comply with the following requireme…

2.4 · Machinery or related products for plant protection products application

Chapter 3Supplementary essential health and safety requirements to offset risks due to the mobility of machinery or related products

Machinery or related products presenting risks due to their mobility shall meet all the essential health and safety requirements set out in this chapter (see General Principles, point 4).

3.1 · General

3.1.1 For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: a) ‘Machinery or related products presenting risks due to their mobility’ means:

3.2 · Work positions

3.2.1 Driving position Visibility from the driving position shall be such that the driver can, in complete safety for himself or herself and the exposed persons op… 3.2.2 Seating Where there is a risk that operators or other persons transported by the machinery may be crushed between parts of the machinery and the sur… 3.2.3 Positions for other persons If the conditions of use provide that persons other than the driver may occasionally or regularly be transported by the machinery or work on… 3.2.4 Supervisory function Where relevant, autonomous mobile machinery or related products shall have a supervisory function specific to the autonomous mode. This func…

3.3 · Control systems

3.3 Control systems If necessary, steps shall be taken to prevent unauthorised use of controls. 3.3.1 Control devices The driver shall be able to actuate all control devices required to operate the machinery or related product from the driving position, exce… 3.3.2 Starting/moving All travel movements of self-propelled machinery with a ride-on driver shall be possible only if the driver is at the controls. 3.3.3 Travelling function Without prejudice to road traffic regulations, self-propelled machinery and its trailers shall meet the requirements for slowing down, stopp… 3.3.4 Movement of pedestrian-controlled machinery Movement of pedestrian-controlled self-propelled machinery shall be possible only through sustained action on the relevant control device by… 3.3.5 Control circuit failure A failure in the power supply to the power-assisted steering, where fitted, shall not prevent machinery from being steered during the time r…

3.4 · Protection against mechanical risks

3.4.1 Uncontrolled movements Machinery or related products shall be designed, constructed, and where appropriate placed on a mobile support, in such a way as to ensure t… 3.4.2 Moving transmission parts By way of exception to section 1.3.8.1, in the case of engines, moveable guards preventing access to the moving parts in the engine compartm… 3.4.3 Roll-over and tip-over Where, in the case of self-propelled machinery with a ride-on driver, operator(s) or other person(s), there is a risk of rolling or tipping… 3.4.4 Falling objects Where, in the case of self-propelled machinery with a ride-on driver, operator(s) or other person(s), there is a risk due to falling objects… 3.4.5 Means of access Handholds and steps shall be designed, constructed and arranged in such a way that the operators use them instinctively and do not use the c… 3.4.6 Towing devices All machinery used to tow or to be towed shall be fitted with towing or coupling devices designed, constructed and arranged in such a way as… 3.4.7 Transmission of power between self-propelled machinery (or a tractor) and recipient machinery Removable mechanical transmission devices linking self-propelled machinery (or a tractor) to the first fixed bearing of recipient machinery…

3.5 · Protection against other risks

3.5.1 Batteries The battery housing shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent the electrolyte being ejected on to the operator in the ev… 3.5.2 Fire Depending on the hazards anticipated by the manufacturer, machinery shall, where its size permits: 3.5.3 Emissions of hazardous substances The second and third paragraphs of section 1.5.13 do not apply where the main function of the machinery is the application of hazardous subs… 3.5.4 Risk of contact with live overhead power lines Depending on their height, mobile machinery or related products shall, where relevant, be designed, constructed and equipped, so as to preve…

3.6 · Information and indications

3.6.1 Signs, signals and warnings All machinery or related products shall have signs and/or instruction plates concerning use, adjustment and maintenance, wherever necessary,… 3.6.2 Marking (1) 3.6.3 Instructions for use Grouping heading: this point contains no independent normative text in Annex III; the specific requirements are set out in points 3.6.3.1, 3… 3.6.3.1 Vibrations The instructions for use shall give the following information concerning vibrations, expressed as acceleration (m/s2), transmitted by the ma… 3.6.3.2 Multiple uses The instructions for use for machinery or a related product allowing several uses depending on the equipment used and the instructions for u… 3.6.3.3 Autonomous mobile machinery or related products The instructions for use of autonomous mobile machinery or related products shall specify the characteristics of its intended travel, workin…

Chapter 4Supplementary essential health and safety requirements to offset risks due to lifting operations

Machinery or related products presenting risks due to lifting operations shall meet all the relevant essential health and safety requirements set out in this chapter (see General Principles, point 4).

4.1 · General

4.1.1 For the purposes of section 4.1., the following definitions apply: a) ‘Lifting operation’ means a movement of unit loads consisting of goods and/or persons necessitating, at a given moment, a change of level… 4.1.2 Protection against mechanical risks Grouping heading: this point contains no independent normative text in Annex III; the specific requirements are set out in points 4.1.2.1, 4… 4.1.2.1 Risks due to lack of stability Machinery or related products shall be designed and constructed in such a way that the stability required by section 1.3.1 is maintained bot… 4.1.2.2 Machinery or related products running on guide rails and rail tracks Machinery or related products shall be provided with devices, which act on the guide rails or tracks to prevent derailment. 4.1.2.3 Mechanical strength Machinery or related products, including lifting accessories and their components, shall be capable of withstanding the stresses to which th… 4.1.2.4 Pulleys, drums, wheels, ropes and chains Pulleys, drums and wheels shall have a diameter commensurate with the size of the ropes or chains with which they can be fitted. 4.1.2.5 Lifting accessories and their components Lifting accessories and their components shall be sized with due regard to fatigue and ageing processes for a number of operating cycles con… 4.1.2.6 Control of movements Devices for controlling movements shall act in such a way that the machinery or related product on which they are installed is kept safe. 4.1.2.7 Movements of loads during handling The operating position of machinery shall be located in such a way as to ensure the widest possible view of trajectories of the moving parts… 4.1.2.8 Machinery serving fixed landings Grouping heading: this point contains no independent normative text in Annex III; the specific requirements are set out in points 4.1.2.8.1,… 4.1.2.8.1 Movements of the carrier The movement of the carrier of machinery serving fixed landings shall be rigidly guided to and at the landings. Scissor systems are also reg… 4.1.2.8.2 Access to the carrier Where persons have access to the carrier, the machinery shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to ensure that the carrier remain… 4.1.2.8.3 Risks due to contact with the moving carrier Where necessary in order to fulfil the requirement expressed in the second paragraph of section 4.1.2.7, the travel zone shall be rendered i… 4.1.2.8.4 Risk due to the load falling off the carrier Where there is a risk due to the load falling off the carrier, the machinery shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent t… 4.1.2.8.5 Landings Risks due to contact of persons at landings with the moving carrier or other moving parts shall be prevented. 4.1.3 Fitness for purpose When lifting machinery or related products, including lifting accessories, are placed on the market or are first put into service, the manuf…

4.2 · Requirements for machinery or related products whose power source is other than manual effort

4.2.1 Control of movements Hold-to-run control devices shall be used to control the movements of the machinery or related products or their equipment. However, for par… 4.2.2 Loading control Machinery or related products with a maximum working load of not less than 1 000 kg or an overturning moment of not less than 40 000 Nm shal… 4.2.3 Installations guided by ropes Rope carriers, tractors or tractor carriers shall be held by counterweights or by a device allowing permanent control of the tension.

4.3 · Information and markings

4.3.1 Chains, ropes and webbing Each length of lifting chain, rope or webbing not forming part of an assembly shall bear a mark or, where this is not possible, a plate or i… 4.3.2 Lifting accessories Lifting accessories shall show the following particulars: 4.3.3 Lifting machinery or related products The maximum working load shall be prominently marked on the lifting machinery or related product. This marking shall be legible, indelible a…

4.4 · Instructions for use

4.4.1 Lifting accessories Each lifting accessory or each commercially indivisible batch of lifting accessories shall be accompanied by instructions setting out at lea… 4.4.2 Lifting machinery or related products Lifting machinery or related products shall be accompanied by instructions for use containing information on:

Chapter 5Supplementary essential health and safety requirements for machinery or related products intended for underground work

Machinery or related products intended for underground work shall meet all the essential health and safety requirements set out in this chapter (see General Principles, point 4).

5 · Supplementary requirements for underground work

5.1 Risks due to lack of stability Powered roof supports shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to maintain a given direction when moving and not slip before and w… 5.2 Movement Powered roof supports shall allow for unhindered movement of persons. 5.3 Control devices The accelerator and brake controls for movement of machinery running on rails shall be hand-operated. However, enabling devices may be foot-… 5.4 Stopping Self-propelled machinery running on rails for use in underground work shall be equipped with an enabling device acting on the circuit contro… 5.5 Fire Section 3.5.2 (b) is mandatory in respect of machinery or related products, which comprises highly flammable parts. 5.6 Exhaust emissions Exhaust emissions from internal combustion engines shall not be discharged upwards.

Chapter 6Supplementary essential health and safety requirements for machinery or related products presenting particular risks due to the lifting of persons

Machinery or related products presenting particular risks due to the lifting of persons shall meet all the relevant essential health and safety requirements set out in this chapter (see General Principles, point 4).

6.1 · General

6.1.1 Mechanical strength The carrier, including any trapdoors, shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to offer the space and strength corresponding to th… 6.1.2 Loading control for machinery or related products moved by power other than human strength The requirements of section 4.2.2 apply regardless of the maximum working load and overturning moment, unless the manufacturer can demonstra…

6.2 · Control devices

6.2 Control devices Where safety requirements do not impose other solutions, the carrier shall, as a general rule, be designed and constructed in such a way tha…

6.3 · Risks to persons in or on the carrier

6.3.1 Risks due to movements of the carrier Machinery or related products for lifting persons shall be designed, constructed or equipped in such a way that the acceleration or decelera… 6.3.2 Risk of persons falling from the carrier The carrier shall not tilt to an extent, which creates a risk of the occupants falling, including when the machinery or related product and… 6.3.3 Risk due to objects falling on the carrier Where there is a risk of objects falling on the carrier and endangering persons, the carrier shall be equipped with a protective roof.

6.4 · Machinery or related products serving fixed landings

6.4.1 Risks to persons in or on the carrier The carrier shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent risks due to contact between persons and/or objects in or on the c… 6.4.2 Controls at landings Controls, other than those for emergency use, at landings shall not initiate movements of the carrier when: 6.4.3 Access to the carrier The guards at the landings and on the carrier shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to ensure safe transfer to and from the car…

6.5 · Markings

6.5 Markings The carrier shall bear the information necessary to ensure safety including:

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