Technical documentation according to the Machinery Directive – requirements, content, and responsibilities.

Establishing and managing technical documentation for machinery is a central part of the Machinery Directive and a prerequisite for CE marking. The documentation demonstrates that a machine meets the essential safety and health requirements and serves as evidence for authorities and users. 

Requirements for Technical Documentation 

For the documentation to be valid, it must meet the following criteria: 

Archiving period: must be retained for at least 10 years from the manufacture of the machine. 

Language: must be written in an official EU language. 

Availability: must be available upon request to the responsible national authorities. 

Traceability: content must be traceable backward, including origin, accountability, and changes. 

Contents of the Technical Documentation 

According to the Machinery Directive, the documentation must include the following parts: 

• Plan for the entire machine and control circuit diagrams.

• Detailed drawings and plans, including calculations, test results, and compliance checks. 

• List of relevant essential requirements, standards, and technical specifications. 

• Description of selected solutions to prevent risks (often related to risk assessment). 

• Technical reports, certificates, and test results for compliance. 

• Operating instructions for the machine. 

• Declaration of Conformity or installation declaration as well as assembly instructions. 

• Declaration of conformity for machines or devices built into the machine. 

Responsibilities for Operators and Employers

Even after manufacturing, responsibility for documentation and safety may fall on operators and employers, especially when machines are modified. If the change does not count as a significant rebuild, it is the operator/employer who is responsible for safety. This means that one must: 

• Ensure the work equipment is safe.

• Comply with national occupational safety legislation. 

• Follow the operational safety regulations (e.g., Betriebssicherheitsverordnung in Germany)

• Establish documentation as proof of change controls. 

Digital Platform for Machine Safety 

With Noex's digital platform, companies can streamline the work with technical documentation, CE marking, and risk analysis. The platform simplifies collecting all requirements in a single system, ensuring traceability, and facilitating communication internally within the company as well as with authorities and customers.