For example, your company trades in used machines or wants to buy a used machine and convert it for your own production. Your company wants to rebuild or expand a so-called old machine.

• In which cases is CE marking required?
• Who is actually responsible for the safety of the used machine here?
• According to which criteria is safety to be assessed?

Machines cannot always be replaced immediately when modern technology comes onto the market. Most often, machines produce for a long time and serve their purpose. With regard to safety requirements, machines must comply with the current minimum legal requirements.
The German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV) regulates the operation of machines as follows:

“The employer shall take the measures required by the general principles of Section 4 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act to ensure that employees are provided only with work equipment which is suitable for the conditions prevailing at the workplace and which, when used as intended, ensures safety and health protection.”

(Excerpt from BetrSichV)

Machines that have been placed on the market since 01.01.1995 and bear the CE marking are presumed to comply with the above requirements, provided they have not been modified by the user.

For machines placed on the market before 01.01.1995 applies:
If significant changes have been made, the machine may become a “new machine”. Then the conformity assessment procedure must be carried out and the machine must be CE marked.

If no significant changes have been made, the machine must at least comply with the requirements of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health and possibly be retrofitted to this minimum safety standard.

For machines placed on the market before 01.01.1995 applies:

• If significant changes have been made, the machine may become a “new machine”. Then the conformity assessment procedure must be carried out and the machine must be CE marked.
• If no significant changes have been made, the machine must at least comply with the requirements of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health and possibly be retrofitted to this minimum safety standard.

Engineering services for old machines during conversion or retrofitting

• Examination of the modification with regard to any CE marking that may be required.
• Determination of the minimum safety requirements to be met for old machines
• Implementation of the conformity assessment procedure for rebuilt old machines
• Preparation of the hazard or risk assessment
• Accompaniment and execution of evaluation of safety functions according to EN ISO 13849 part 1 or EN ISO 62061
• Accompaniment and support for the creation of technical documentation
• Preparation of the declaration of conformity until it is ready for signature
• Consulting and support for final inspections up to CE marking

Special advantages of engineering services:

• Avoidance of accident hazards
• You increase legal certainty in the use and marketing of your products.
• They maintain insurance coverage from personal, property and liability insurers.