Machinery safety in the UK is driven by two sets of regulations: The Supply of Machinery Safety Regulations 1992 (which requires all machines sold in the EU to carry a CE mark) and The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98).

To comply with the requirements of the Supply of Machinery Safety Regulations 1992, a machine needs to pass six tests:

• The machine must comply with the EHSRs (Essential Health and Safety Requirements) of the Supply of Machinery Safety Regulations.
• The machine must have been assessed as complying with the EHSRs.
• There must be a Declaration of Conformity.
• The supplier must be able to assemble a Technical File.
• The machine must carry a CE mark.
• The machine must 'in fact' be safe.

It is a common misconception that machine guards should carry a CE mark. This is incorrect because CE marking covers many aspects of safety (such as control systems) other than guards. Only machines carry CE marks; guards supplied for new machines should be provided with a Declaration of Conformity as evidence that they comply with the harmonised standards.

For detailed information on Machine Safety Regulations see http://www.hse.gov.uk/