Revised Position on New Machinery Regulation Applicability to Valves

The European Committee for the Taps & Valve Industry (CEIR – Taps & Valves Europe) reiterates that the shift from a directive to a regulation does not undermine the well-established sectoral analysis:

 

- Manual valves, valves lacking actuation devices, and check valves remain expressly excluded from the Machinery Regulation’s scope,

 

- Actuated valves do not fall within the scope of the Machinery Regulation, as the criterion of “specific application” is not satisfied by the vast majority of products. Consequently, valves do not meet the definition of “machine” under the new regulation.

 

- Only actuated valves specifically developed to be integrated into a machine are subject to the machinery regulation. In these rare cases they must be considered and classified as partly completed machinery and must be accompanied by a declaration of incorporation.

 

- Safety valves are not recognized as “safety components” within the regulation’s precise legal context.

 

It is the responsibility of each manufacturer to assess whether a mechanical risk analysis is necessary, in addition to the one required by the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED).

If such an analysis identifies residual risks, these must be eliminated through design, protective measures, or information, without applying CE marking under the Machinery Regulation.

 

In summary, CEIR reaffirms, in light of the transition from directive to regulation, its longstanding recognised position: the overwhelming majority of valves lie outside the scope of the Machinery Regulation.

 

This position ensures full compliance with the stringent safety obligations disposed in sector-specific legislation for pressure equipment. prevents redundant CE marking requirements and is aligned to the industrial practices of valves manufacturer.