Machinery Directive vs Lift Directive
Not all lifts are covered by the same legislation. The applicable regulatory framework depends on the type of lift being specified and its intended application. This guide explains the differences between the Lift Directive and the Machinery Directive, outlines the introduction of the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 from 2027, and explores why understanding the distinction is important when specifying compliant lift solutions.
Why Are There Different Lift Regulations?
A platform lift providing step-free access in a school or office has different technical characteristics and safety requirements to a conventional passenger lift serving a busy multi-storey building – and the legislation reflects these differences.
The Lift Directive applies to conventional passenger lifts, while the Machinery Directive covers many platform lifts and other accessibility solutions. Each framework sets out the requirements corresponding to the type of equipment, its intended use, and the level of risk associated with its operation.
| Lift Directive (2014/33/EU) | Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) |
| Conventional passenger lifts | Platform lifts |
| Speeds above 0.15 m/s | Speeds up to 0.15 m/s |
| Commonly designed to EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 | Commonly designed to EN 81-41 |
| Intended for higher passenger traffic | Primarily intended to improve accessibility |
| Typically specified for larger commercial and residential buildings | Often used in existing buildings, lower-rise developments, and constrained sites |
| Usually requires a conventional lift shaft | Often supplied with a self-supporting shaft and reduced structural work |
What Does the Lift Directive Cover?
The Lift Directive (2014/33/EU) applies to conventional passenger and goods passenger lifts permanently installed in buildings and structures. In general, it covers lifts travelling at speeds above 0.15 m/s, typically serving multi-storey commercial, residential, and public buildings where higher passenger volumes and more frequent use are expected.
In practice, these lifts are commonly specified for offices, hotels, hospitals, apartment buildings, and other developments where efficient vertical transport is required. They usually involve a purpose-built lift shaft and are designed to carry people safely between multiple floors as part of the building’s permanent infrastructure.
The Lift Directive works alongside recognised technical standards, including EN 81-20, which sets out safety requirements for the design and construction of passenger and goods passenger lifts, and EN 81-50, which covers the design rules, calculations, examinations, and testing of lift components.
Before a lift can be placed on the market or put into service, it must undergo the right conformity assessment process to demonstrate compliance with the applicable legislation. Once complete, the lift can be UKCA marked or, where applicable, CE marked in accordance with the relevant regulatory requirements.
What Does the Machinery Directive Cover?
The Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) applies to many platform lifts designed to improve accessibility in residential, commercial, and public buildings. Unlike conventional passenger lifts, these products are typically intended to provide safe, step-free access where lower travel speeds and more compact installations are needed.
Platform lifts covered by the Machinery Directive generally travel at speeds of up to 0.15 m/s and are commonly used in offices, schools, healthcare settings, places of worship, community buildings, and existing properties where installing a conventional passenger lift may not be practical. Many models require minimal structural work, making them well suited to refurbishment projects and buildings with limited space.
The Machinery Directive works alongside EN 81-41, the recognised technical standard for vertical lifting platforms intended for use by people with impaired mobility, and together, the legislation and supporting standards establish the requirements manufacturers must satisfy for safety and performance.
As with lifts covered by the Lift Directive, products within the scope of the Machinery Directive must complete the correct conformity assessment process and carry the relevant UKCA marking, or recognised CE marking where relevant. This demonstrates that the manufacturer has assessed the lift against the relevant legislation and confirmed it meets the necessary safety standards.
Learn more about the machinery directive and what it covers →
Which Type of Lift Is Right for Your Project?
Selecting the right lift starts with understanding how the building will be used. While legislation determines which regulatory framework applies, the most suitable installation depends on factors such as passenger demand, available space, accessibility needs, and the constraints of the building itself.
| Project scenario | Likely lift solution |
| Existing office with limited structural space | Platform lift |
| New office block with higher passenger demand | Conventional passenger lift |
| School or education building | Platform lift |
| Hospital or healthcare setting | Depends on the building’s layout, traffic levels, and intended use |
| Shopping centre or high-footfall public building | Conventional passenger lift |
| Listed building or refurbishment project | Platform lift |
Many accessibility-focused projects are well suited to platform lifts covered by the Machinery Directive. For example, the Aritco PublicLift Access is commonly specified in commercial and public buildings where step-free access is required with minimal structural intervention. The Motala 2000 Platform Lift offers a compact solution for offices, schools, healthcare environments, and other lower-rise buildings, while the Vimec AR:IA Commercial Cabin Lift provides a passenger-style platform lift where an enclosed cabin is preferred.
Common Platform Lift Misconceptions
‘Passenger lifts are safer than platform lifts’
Platform lifts covered by the Machinery Directive must meet health, safety, and conformity requirements before they can be placed on the market. They are designed for different applications, not lower safety standards.
‘Platform lifts aren’t compliant’
When correctly specified, installed, and maintained, platform lifts can satisfy the relevant legislation and support wider accessibility objectives.
‘You can choose which legislation applies’
The applicable legislation is determined by the type of lift, its technical characteristics, and its intended use, rather than budget or personal preference.
‘A faster lift is always the better option’
Conventional passenger lifts are well-suited to many buildings, but a platform lift may be the more appropriate and cost-effective choice – especially where accessibility is the primary requirement or structural constraints exist.
Machinery Regulation 2027 – What’s Changing?
The Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) remains the legislation governing many platform lifts placed on the market today. However, from 20 January 2027, it will be replaced across the European Union by the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230.
Unlike a Directive, which requires implementation through national legislation, a Regulation applies directly across all EU member states. The updated framework reflects the increasing use of connected technologies and software within modern machinery, introducing new requirements in areas including cybersecurity, AI-driven safety functions, digital technical documentation, and software traceability.
A Clearer Definition of ‘Substantial Modification’
Organisations making significant physical or digital changes to machinery that introduce new hazards or increase existing risks may assume the responsibilities of a manufacturer under the legislation.
New requirements for documenting software changes and maintaining technical records also strengthen product traceability throughout its lifecycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Does the Machinery Directive still apply? | Yes. The Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) remains the current legislation for many platform lifts placed on the market. Within the European Union, it will be replaced by the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 from 20 January 2027. |
| What replaces the Machinery Directive? | The Machinery Directive will be replaced by the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230. The new Regulation introduces updated requirements covering areas such as digital documentation, cybersecurity, software traceability, and connected machinery. |
| Does Brexit change the legislation? | Following Brexit, CE marking has been supplemented by UKCA marking for many products placed on the Great Britain market. The requirements depend on where a lift is being placed on the market and the relevant legislation in force at that time. |
| What is UKCA marking? | UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) marking demonstrates that a product complies with the legislation in force within Great Britain. For qualifying lift products, it fulfils a similar role to CE marking within the European Union. |
| Do platform lifts require CE or UKCA marking? | Yes. Platform lifts within the scope of the Machinery Directive must complete the necessary conformity assessment process before being placed on the market and carry the relevant UKCA marking, or recognised CE marking where required. |
| What determines which directive applies? | The correct directive is determined by the lift’s technical characteristics, intended use, and operating speed. Conventional passenger lifts travelling above 0.15 m/s are generally covered by the Lift Directive, while many platform lifts operating at up to 0.15 m/s fall within the scope of the Machinery Directive. |
| Are platform lifts suitable for commercial buildings? | Yes. Platform lifts are widely used in offices, schools, healthcare facilities, community buildings, and other commercial environments where step-free access is required. |
| Can a platform lift satisfy Building Regulations? | Yes, where it is the best solution for the building. Compliance is assessed against the functional needs of Approved Document M and the wider design of the building, rather than the lift in isolation. |
| Is EN 81-41 mandatory? | EN 81-41 is a recognised technical standard for vertical platform lifts. While it is not legislation itself, compliance with recognised standards is commonly used to demonstrate that the relevant safety measures have been met. |
| Can Gartec advise on lift specification? | We work with architects, contractors, developers, facilities managers, and building owners to help identify suitable lift solutions and explain the regulations and standards relevant to each project. |
Unsure Which Lift Legislation Applies?
Our technical team can help to identify the best-suited lift for each application, advising on technical standards and lift specification from the earliest stages of a project through to installation.
