Machinery Directive
The Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) sets out the essential health and safety requirements for many types of machinery, including a wide range of platform lifts. Understanding which regulations apply is an important part of specifying the right lift for a residential, commercial, or public building – and our experienced team can help you select a platform lift that meets all relevant requirements for your project.
What is the Machinery Directive?
The Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) is European legislation that sets the essential health and safety requirements for machinery before it can be placed on the market or put into service. Its aim is to help ensure machinery is designed, manufactured, and tested to a consistent standard, protecting both users and those responsible for installing and maintaining it.
Many platform lifts fall within the scope of the Machinery Directive, including a range of accessibility solutions used in residential, commercial, and public buildings. Products that meet the relevant requirements will be CE marked, demonstrating that the manufacturer has assessed the lift against the applicable legislation and confirmed it meets the necessary standards.
For customers, this provides confidence that a lift has been designed with safety and compliance as a priority. For manufacturers, it means taking responsibility for meeting the Directive’s requirements before a product reaches the market.
Which Lifts Does the Machinery Directive Apply to?
The Machinery Directive applies to many platform lifts used to provide safe, step-free access across home and commercial settings, including passenger platform lifts, enclosed platform lifts, vertical platform lifts, and other accessibility lifts designed to help people move between levels where a conventional passenger lift may not be necessary.
These lifts are typically designed to travel at speeds of up to 0.15 m/s and can usually serve up to six stops, although the exact specification depends on the product and application. Their primary purpose is to improve accessibility for wheelchair users, people with reduced mobility, parents with pushchairs, and anyone who benefits from step-free access.
The applicable legislation is determined by the type of lift rather than personal preference or project budget. Factors such as travel speed, intended use, building layout, and technical design all influence which Directive applies.
Machinery Directive vs Lift Directive
Although both govern lifting equipment, the Machinery Directive and the Lift Directive apply to different types of lifts. Understanding the distinction can help you identify the most suitable option for your building and ensure the correct standards are applied during specification.
In practice, platform lifts covered by the Machinery Directive are often chosen where step-free access is the priority. They are well suited to schools, offices, healthcare settings, places of worship, and private homes. Their lower travel speed and compact design can also make them easier to accommodate in existing buildings where installing a conventional passenger lift would be impractical.
| Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) | Lift Directive (2014/33/EU) |
| Platform lifts | Conventional passenger lifts |
| Maximum speed of 0.15 m/s | Speeds above 0.15 m/s |
| Primarily intended to improve accessibility | Primarily intended for passenger transport |
| Commonly designed to EN 81-41 | Commonly designed to EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 |
Passenger lifts covered by the Lift Directive are typically specified for buildings with higher traffic levels, greater travel distances, or where faster journey times are required. These lifts are commonly found in larger commercial developments, blocks of flats, hotels, and other multi-storey buildings where frequent passenger movement is expected.
The applicable legislation is determined by the type of lift rather than personal preference or project budget. Factors such as travel speed, intended use, building layout, and technical design all influence which Directive applies.
How Gartec Helps You Achieve Compliance
Selecting the right platform lift starts with understanding how the building will be used and which standards apply.
Our support begins at the specification stage, with site surveys and useful design advice to help identify the most suitable lift for the available space and intended use. From there, our experienced team manages installation and commissioning, ensuring every lift is installed in line with the manufacturer’s requirements and ready for safe operation.
We also provide ongoing maintenance, servicing, and refurbishment to help keep lifts operating safely and reliably throughout their working life.
Machinery Directive and the 2027 Machinery Regulation
The Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) is the current legislation governing many platform lifts placed on the market. From 20 January 2027, it will be replaced in the European Union by the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, introducing an updated framework that reflects advances in digital technologies, software, and connected machinery.
For customers specifying new platform lifts, the key consideration remains selecting products that meet the legislation and standards applicable when they are placed on the market. Gartec works with leading manufacturers, including Aritco, Vimec, and Motala, to supply products designed and certified to meet the relevant regulatory requirements, while continuing to monitor future legislative changes.
If you have questions about how these changes may relate to your project, our team will be happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Machinery Directive? |
The Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) is legislation that sets the essential health and safety requirements for machinery before it can be placed on the market or put into service. |
Which lifts fall under the Machinery Directive? |
Many platform lifts designed to improve accessibility are covered by the Machinery Directive. This includes a range of home lifts, commercial lifts, and enclosed platform lifts that typically travel at speeds of up to 0.15 m/s. |
Does the Machinery Directive still apply? |
Yes. The Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) remains the current legislation for relevant products. In the European Union, it will be replaced by the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 from 20 January 2027. |
Why is the Machinery Directive being replaced? |
The Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 has been introduced to reflect changes in modern machinery and technology, including connected systems and digital safety features. It replaces the Machinery Directive from 20 January 2027, creating a single regulatory framework that applies across all EU member states. |
What changes in 2027? |
From January 2027, the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 will replace the Machinery Directive within the European Union. The new Regulation updates the legislative framework for machinery. If you’re planning a project around this time, we can advise on the relevant requirements for the products being specified. |
How do I know which lift I need? |
The right lift depends on several factors, including the building’s layout, travel height, available space, expected usage, and accessibility requirements. We can assess your project and recommend the most suitable platform lift for your application. |
Are Gartec platform lifts compliant? |
Many of the platform lifts supplied by Gartec are designed and certified in accordance with the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) and the relevant harmonised standards for their intended application. Specific compliance depends on the lift model and project requirements, so we’ll always recommend the most appropriate solution. |
Need Advice on the Machinery Directive?
If you're unsure which regulations apply to your project, we can help. Our team will recommend the most suitable platform lift for your building and advise on the standards and legislation relevant to your application.
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