Machinery must be visibly, legibly, and indelibly marked before being placed on the market or put into service. Through this marking, the manufacturer unequivocally identifies itself and the machinery while also providing evidence of the machinery’s conformity with applicable European directives and regulations. The marking on a machinery must at least include:

• the company name and full address of the manufacturer and, if applicable, its authorized representative;
• the model or type designation;
• the «CE» marking;
• the serial number (if applicable);
• the year of construction, i.e., the year in which the manufacturing process was completed;
• the weight in kilograms in its most commonly used configuration, when the machinery requires lifting equipment for handling during use.

Under the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, the manufacturer must also include a website, email address, or other digital contact details through which it can be reached; this is not required by the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. Affixing the CE symbol certifies that the machinery complies with the relevant requirements of all applicable European directives and regulations that mandate its use. The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC requires it in the immediate vicinity of the name of the manufacturer or its authorized representative, with a vertical dimension greater than 5 mm. This size requirement may be waived for small machinery if the available space is insufficient. The Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 does not explicitly specify dimensions but refers to another EU regulation covering this topic, so the same requirements apply.

The CE marking is a specific, well-defined symbol composed of two concentric circles. The symbol’s concentricity must be maintained. Any deviation in shape is considered non-compliant, as is the use of typed “CE” characters generated by any electronic font. Additionally, the symbol must not be altered by incorporating it into writings or images created for purely aesthetic reasons. The European Union provides official CE symbols in various ready-to-use electronic formats on its online portal, so there is no need to recreate it manually.It is standard practice to group all machinery marking information on a single nameplate. The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 do not specify requirements regarding the physical properties or materials used for this nameplate. The manufacturer may choose the most suitable solution, provided the marking remains clearly visible, legible, and indelible. The information on the CE nameplate does not necessarily need to be translated, as neither the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC nor the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 explicitly require this, except for information regarding the type of machinery and safety-related details necessary for operation.The Machinery Directive’s guide suggests using one of the official EU languages for all other information. The Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, however, mandates that contact details must be provided in a language easily understood by users and market surveillance authorities.

To visit the European Union’s online portal where you can download the CE symbol, click here.