3. Safety requirements of the Machinery Directive

The Machinery Directive, by virtue of its requirements, allows for the existence of risks calibrated by risk analysis. The opposite approach, absolutely prohibiting any residual risk, would simply have been unrealistic. The Machinery Directive therefore takes a pragmatic approach to risk, and aims to be as exhaustive as possible. In Annex I, it requires conformity of the machine and its safety components to the following essential requirements, which are formulated in the form of objectives, the means being left to the manufacturer (who can rely on harmonized standards if available). The manufacturer is therefore free to choose his means of compliance.

Central to the requirements of the Machinery Directive is risk assessment. It is this process which enables the manufacturer to ensure that he has complied with the essential requirements of the directive. Through...