Accessibility links Skip to main content

Machinery assemblies: why single CE marking is insufficient

A recurring error in the industrial landscape is the belief that purchasing individually certified machinery exempts a company from further compliance obligations. However, when multiple CE-marked units are connected to operate in a coordinated manner, the regulations are clear: we are dealing with an ‘Assembly of machinery.’ In this scenario, safety is no longer just the sum of the parts, but the result of a complex integration that requires a new, global certification.

Contact us

Fill out the form and we will contact you shortly.

Naam
Privacy Policy 
Continue reading
French fries move through an automated food processing and production line, showcasing industrial food manufacturing, quality control, efficient processing systems, and high-capacity production within a modern food manufacturing facility.

THE LEGAL CONCEPT OF “ASSEMBLY”

For a production line to be considered an ‘assembly,’ three elements must coexist: a production connection, operational linkage, and a common control system (e.g., a coordinating PLC). When these conditions are met, the entire line is regarded as a single ‘new’ machine. Individual certificates for the component units are no longer sufficient: a holistic overview is required, which only an expert can guarantee.

INTERFACE RISK ANALYSIS

The critical issue lies in the interfaces. A thorough analysis must evaluate what happens at the junction points: does an emergency stop on Machine A also ensure the safety of Machine B? The certification of the assembly serves to neutralize risks arising from the integration, verifying the compatibility of the control systems and the coordinated management of safety functions.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE MANUFACTURER

Anyone who assembles the line legally assumes the role of the Manufacturer of the Assembly. This entails the obligation to draw up a new Technical File, issue a comprehensive EU Declaration of Conformity, and affix a new CE plate to the entire plant. Ignoring this step exposes the company to very serious civil and criminal liabilities in the event of an accident.

THE STRATEGIC SUPPORT OF ENTE CERTIFICAZIONE MACCHINE

In such a challenging bureaucratic and technical context, ECM stands as the ideal partner for manufacturers and integrators. We do not limit ourselves to simple verification: we offer high-profile technical support for interface risk analysis, conformity assessment according to the new standards of the Machinery Regulation, and all necessary testing activities. Thanks to our experience as a Notified Body, we support companies in drafting technical documentation, transforming a regulatory obligation into a guarantee of quality and safety that protects both investment and production continuity.

Your Partner in Quality, Safety, and Compliance

The life sciences sector requires specialized knowledge and reliable support. With our broad expertise, we help organizations comply with laws and regulations, ensure quality, and continue to innovate with confidence.

Related services

Science, talking and people on tablet in lab with microscope for analysis, medical research and study. Biology, pharmaceutical team and man with woman on tech for results, review and online report.

Certification and Compliance

Quality Management System Certification

Mechanical, Electrical, and EMC Testing

Related Articles

30 Jun 2026

UPDATED THE LIST OF FAKE/FORGED DOCUMENTS

ECM – Ente Certificazione Macchine is informed of the existence of fakes/counterfeit certificates/laboratory test reports/other ECM documents relating to certain European Directives or International Standards. No one has permission to issue certificates or other documents in our name and on our behalf, so ECM will take action against any companies that issue certificates/documents without authorization.

25 Jun 2026

UPDATED LIST OF IMPROPER USES OF THE NAME ENTE CERTIFICAZIONE MACCHINE SRL AND/OR THE ECM NUMBER OF NOTIFIED BODY 1282

To consult the updated list of reports of misuse of the name Ente Certificazione Macchine srl and/or the notified body number 1282, click here.

22 Jun 2026

The voices of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Total Healthcare Ecosystem Association (KoTHEA): Gianluca Baldoni – Internationalization of the regional production system (Emilia-Romagna Region)

As part of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 15, 2026, between ECM – Ente Certificazione Macchine and KoTHEA (Korea Total Healthcare Ecosystem Association), we continue to gather testimonials from the institutions and key partners supporting this important strategic bridge between Italy and South Korea. Today we feature the contribution of Dr. Gianluca Baldoni (Internationalization of the Regional Production System – Attractiveness, Internationalization, and Research Sector; Export and Trade Fair System Area of the Emilia-Romagna Region), who participated in the institutional event held in the presence of local authorities and the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Milan.

19 Jun 2026

EUDAMED: The Regulatory Turning Point for Medical Devices

May 28, 2026, marked a watershed moment for medical devices in Europe. As of this date, full EUDAMED registration became mandatory for all devices undergoing certification under the MDR and IVDR regulations. The database becomes the operational hub of the single market. This is not a bureaucratic formality, but a binding requirement to maintain market access.

19 Jun 2026

The voices of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Total Healthcare Ecosystem Association (KoTHEA): Choi Taeho – Consul General of the Republic of Korea

International ties and strategic development prospects are strengthening around the crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the Valsamoggia headquarters between the Korea Total Healthcare Ecosystem Association (KoTHEA) and the European notified body Ente Certificazione Macchine (ECM). The official ceremony was graced by the prestigious participation and institutional support of Choi Taeho, Consul General of the Republic of Korea, who emphasized the high political and economic value of this agreement. The agreement represents not only a technical milestone but also a genuine turning point in industrial and regulatory relations along the Seoul-Rome axis, fitting into a rapidly evolving global macroeconomic framework.

18 Jun 2026

New Machinery Regulation, the entry into force approaches: what’s new for Manufacturers

The European regulatory landscape is undergoing a crucial transformation with the introduction of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which will permanently phase out the historic Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. One of the most impactful changes concerns the obligation to integrate cybersecurity as an essential element of product safety.

18 Jun 2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Immediate suspension of the use of the product “Hyperbaric chamber”

We would like to inform all our valued customers and business partners of an urgent measure that requires the utmost attention and timely cooperation from all users.