CE Marking for Hydromet Equipment: Which Directives Apply
CE marking is a declaration that the equipment meets the applicable EU directives, backed by a technical file. It is not a quality certificate and it cannot be added after delivery. For hydrometallurgical equipment, four directives normally apply.
Which directive applies to what
| Directive | Applies when | Typical evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Machinery 2006/42/EC | Moving parts, drives, agitators, pumps as an assembly | Risk assessment, guarding, Declaration of Conformity |
| EMC 2014/30/EU | Any electrical/electronic control | Immunity and emission test report |
| Low Voltage 2014/35/EU | Equipment rated 50–1000 V AC | Component compliance, dielectric test |
| Pressure Equipment 2014/68/EU | Vessels above 0.5 bar | Category per PS×V, notified body where required |
The Machinery Directive is being replaced by the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which applies from January 2027. Equipment ordered now may be delivered under either regime, so confirm which one the supplier is declaring.
The technical file
It must contain: general arrangement drawings, electrical schematics, risk assessment, list of harmonised standards applied, test reports, instructions for use in the language of the destination country, and the signed Declaration of Conformity. It must be retained for ten years and provided to market surveillance authorities on request — not necessarily to the buyer, though most buyers ask for it.
Where projects go wrong
Split responsibility. A skid assembled on site from CE-marked components is not itself CE marked. If you buy components and integrate them, you become the manufacturer.
Pressure category. A vessel’s category depends on pressure × volume and the fluid group. Buyers often assume the supplier has classified it; ask for the calculation.
Language. Instructions must be in the language of the user. English is accepted in some member states and not in others.
What to request in the quotation
Ask explicitly for: applicable directives, declaration of conformity, pressure category calculation, and the name of any notified body involved. A quotation that says "CE compliant" without naming directives is not enough for customs or for your own liability.
Send your destination country and equipment scope, and we will list the directives and documents that apply.