CONFORMITÉ EUROPÉENNE (CE)

The CE rules for tail lifts were established in 1995. The term “Conformité Européenne” (CE) is a French term meaning “European Conformity.” The CE marking indicates that a product complies with the legal requirements for safety, health, and the environment within the European Economic Area (EEA). It enables manufacturers to freely trade the product within the EEA without further testing or assessments in individual countries.

European directives for tail lifts: Safety, health, and the environment

The European directives establish legal requirements regarding safety, health, and environmental impact. Specifically, tail lifts fall under the general requirements of the EU Machinery Directive. For example in the Netherlands, the LPK checks annually whether the safety features of the tail lift are intact, in accordance with CE rules. Although TÜV rules are mandatory in Germany, this does not apply to the rest of Europe.

Key CE rules for tail lifts

• Protect sharp edges and corners that can cause injuries, “to the extent possible in connection with their function”
• Signaling devices must be clear and visible
• Annual tail lift inspection