In the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (nationally implemented by 9th ProdSV), the term "machinery" is used very broadly and includes machinery as so-called "assemblies of machinery". In practice, problems arise with regard to the application to complex systems.

This interpretative paper provides guidance on the assessment of the extent to which biogas plants fall under the scope of the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and under what conditions they are an assembly of machinery in the sense of the directive.

The paper was prepared by a temporary working group of the Market Surveillance Committee under the auspices of Baden-Württemberg and the participation of Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Lower Saxony, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales, BMAS), Unit IIIb5 and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, BAuA) and decided upon in the 28th meeting of the Market Surveillance Committee (Arbeitsausschuss für Marktüberwachung, AAMÜ) on May 20 and 21, 2014 in Mainz.

For further detailed information please refer to our German Website.