Machinery

EU Declaration of Conformity for Small Workshop Machines: requirements and checklist

By Ing. Jaroslav Křepelka, Owner, DoC solutions s.r.o. · Updated 22 September 2026

Bench grinders, table saws, drill presses and other small workshop machines are machinery. Their Declaration of Conformity is issued under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC until 19 January 2027 and under the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 from 20 January 2027, which is the biggest change in machinery rules in fifteen years.

This page covers electrically driven hand-held and transportable tools and small stationary machines for workshops and DIY use. Electrical safety of machinery is covered by the machinery legislation, so the Low Voltage Directive is not cited separately.

Checklist: what your small workshop machines declaration must contain

Machine description, model, type and serial number range
Name and address of the manufacturer, and of the person authorised to compile the technical file, who must be established in the EU
Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC until 19 January 2027, Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 from 20 January 2027
EMC Directive 2014/30/EU and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU
The harmonised standards applied, and the notified body and certificate number where one was involved
Place and date of the declaration, and identity and signature of the person empowered to sign

Which EU legislation applies

Legislation	Applies?	In the DoC?	Notes
Machinery Directive2006/42/EC	Applies	In the DoC: Yes	Applies until 19 January 2027. Machines listed in Annex IV, such as certain woodworking circular saws and band saws with manual loading, need a notified body unless harmonised standards covering all the relevant requirements have been applied in full.
Machinery Regulation(EU) 2023/1230	Applies	In the DoC: Yes	Applies from 20 January 2027 and replaces the directive. Updated essential requirements (including safety functions implemented in software and cybersecurity aspects), a revised list of high-risk machinery in Annex I, and the option of digital instructions.
EMC Directive2014/30/EU	Applies	In the DoC: Yes	Universal motors and electronic speed control produce conducted disturbances; harmonics and flicker for high-power machines.
RoHS Directive2011/65/EU	Applies	In the DoC: Yes	Small workshop machines are within scope; only large-scale stationary industrial tools are excluded.
Low Voltage Directive2014/35/EU	Usually not	In the DoC: No	Electrical hazards of machinery are covered by the machinery legislation, which incorporates the LVD safety objectives; the LVD is not cited separately for machinery.
WEEE Directive2012/19/EU	Applies	In the DoC: No	Producer registration in every EU country where you sell and the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol.

Typical harmonised standards

A harmonised standard gives presumption of conformity only in the version cited in the Official Journal of the EU. Always check the current list for each directive before you issue or update a declaration (European Commission: harmonised standards); the versions below are the ones commonly used at the time of writing, and the right selection depends on your product.

Machinery safety

Versions shown are cited under the Machinery Directive in Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/1586 as amended (consolidated 7 September 2026).

EN ISO 12100:2010General principles for design — risk assessment and risk reduction
EN 62841-1:2015 + A11:2022Hand-held tools, transportable tools and lawn and garden machinery — general requirements
EN 62841-3-1:2014 + A11:2017 + A1:2021 + A12:2021Particular requirements for transportable table saws
EN 62841-3-4:2016 + A11:2017 + A12:2020Particular requirements for transportable bench grinders
EN IEC 62841-3-9:2020 + A11:2020Particular requirements for transportable mitre saws
EN 60204-1:2018Electrical equipment of machines, for stationary machines outside the EN 62841 series
EN ISO 13849-1:2023Safety-related parts of control systems

EMC

EN 55014-1:2017 + A11:2020EMC for household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus — emission
EN 55014-2:1997 + A1:2001 + A2:2008EMC immunity (edition cited in the Official Journal)
EN 61000-3-2:2014 and EN 61000-3-3:2013Harmonic currents and voltage fluctuations

Already have a declaration for your small workshop machines?

A certification expert checks it against everything on this page and tells you exactly what to fix. Written report in 48 hours, €99 per product (excl. VAT).

Common mistakes in small workshop machines declarations

The LVD is cited for a machine
Machinery declarations cite the Machinery Directive (or Regulation), EMC and RoHS. Adding the LVD shows the declaration was copied from an electrical appliance.
No person authorised to compile the technical file in the EU
Machinery declarations must name a person established in the EU who can compile the technical file. Non-EU manufacturers often leave this out.
Annex IV machine self-certified without full standard coverage
For listed high-risk machines, self-certification is only possible if harmonised standards covering all relevant requirements are applied in full; otherwise a notified body is needed.
No transition plan for 20 January 2027
Machines placed on the market from that date need a declaration under Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, with its updated requirements and structure.
Noise and vibration values missing
The instructions must state declared noise emission and, for hand-held tools, vibration values measured according to the applicable standards.

What you need besides the declaration

Technical file: Risk assessment, drawings, calculations, test reports, the list of standards applied, noise and vibration measurements and a copy of the instructions. Keep it for 10 years.
Instructions: Original instructions and translations into the language of each EU country of sale, including noise and vibration values. The Machinery Regulation allows digital instructions under conditions, with a paper copy on request.
Marking: CE marking, manufacturer name and address, designation of the machine, series or type, serial number and year of construction.
Economic operator in the EU: An importer or authorised representative established in the EU, identified on the machine, its packaging or accompanying document.

No EU presence yet? We can act as your EU authorised representative or responsible person.

Frequently asked questions

When does the Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 apply?

From 20 January 2027. Until 19 January 2027 machinery is placed on the market under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

Should a machinery declaration cite the Low Voltage Directive?

No. The machinery legislation covers electrical hazards by incorporating the LVD safety objectives; the LVD is not cited separately.

Do I need a notified body for a table saw?

Certain saws with manual loading are listed high-risk machines. You can self-certify only if you apply harmonised standards covering all relevant requirements in full; otherwise EU type-examination is needed.

What does MyCECheck check on a machinery declaration?

The correct legislation and transition date, the standards and versions, the high-risk category, the person authorised to compile the technical file, and the identification of the machine. Written report within 48 hours.