German Objection Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC – published at cemarking.net – June 17, 2022
What is the Objection of the German Government?
On June 16, 2022, the Federal Republic of Germany filed an objection under Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 1025/2012 of October 25, 2012 on European Standardization. The objection specifically addresses two standards included in this regulation. These are:
- EN 62841-1:2015 – Electrically powered hand-held tools, portable tools and lawn and garden equipment – Safety – Part 1: General requirements
- EN 62841-2-11:2016/A1:2020 – Electrically powered hand-held tools, transportable tools and lawn and garden equipment – Safety – Part 2-11: Particular requirements for hand-held reciprocating saws.
The Federal Government finds that the essential health and safety requirements of “Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast)” have not been fully taken into account.
Insufficient Protection
Germany is of the opinion that the two standards for electric jigsaws do not provide sufficient protection against unintentional starting after loss of voltage. Therefore, the suspicion arises that these standards are not in full compliance with the relevant parts of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. The German government asks the Commission to take appropriate measures against the aforementioned standards immediately.
In its objection, the Federal German Government formulates the shortcomings of both standards in detail.
Conclusion:
According to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, hand-held electrical machines, such as jigsaws, must incorporate technical solutions that exclude re-starting. This is regardless of the cause of the loss of voltage. From a German perspective, there is no reason why the regulations of the machinery directive should not be implemented.
From the German government’s point of view, the publication of the title of EN 62841- 1:2016-07 and EN 62841-2-11:2016/A1:2020 in the Official Journal of the European Union should be accompanied by a warning notice for the above reasons.
At the same time, a mandate should be given to CEN to revise the relevant standard with respect to the weaknesses objected to.
German Objection Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC – Links and Downloads
- Official download of the formal objection
- REGULATION (EU) No 1025/2012 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 25 October 2012
- Machinery Directive – 2006/42/EC
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