Internal Market - Product Safety Legislation
Technology manufacturers must show that the products they place on the Internal Market are safe and comply with relevant EU legislation. And given the rapid nature of technological change, a stable and predictable regulatory framework is essential to attract investment and support innovation.
The model of the New Approach to technical harmonisation provides this stability. It gives companies the flexibility to decide themselves how to demonstrate that they have met the ‘essential requirements’ set out in product-specific harmonisation legislation, in line with applicable conformity assessment procedures.
Orgalim cooperates closely with EU policymakers and other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of this flexible framework – aiming to avoid, for example, diverging interpretations of legislation at national level by contributing to the EU Blue Guide and other interpretation guides. Our work covers a wide spectrum of product-specific EU legislation addressing the health and safety of professional end-users and consumers (for our work on harmonisation legislation in the energy and environment policy arena, see the relevant sections of our website).
Scroll down for an overview of our advocacy work in this area - and click here to view all Orgalim position papers on Internal Market product safety legislation.
In addition to our work on product safety legislation, Orgalim also covers Internal Market issues related to compliance and enforcement - see the relevant website page for more details.
Machinery safety
The Machinery Directive is the core piece of EU legislation for the companies we represent in the mechanical engineering industry, providing a stable legal environment that is valuable to all our companies, in particular the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Orgalim acts as the interface between our industries and the EU institutions to ensure that this Directive continues to support the marketing of safe, innovation-friendly and market-relevant machines for the benefit of both workers and consumers. We firmly believe it continues to perform well and is fit for the future – capable of covering new machines such as robots incorporating artificial intelligence (AI).
Electrical safety and compatibility
Representing as we do manufacturers of electrical and electronic devices and installations, Orgalim provides input to the EU institutions on a range of legislation covering this industry. Key focus areas include the Low Voltage Directive, designed to prevent electrical shocks and fires and mitigate other potential hazards; the Radio Equipment Directive governing the use of the radio spectrum; and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive regulating emissions limitation and immunity against electromagnetic interference.
Mechanical product safety
Orgalim contributes the input of the technology industries to EU policymakers on a range of technical legislation applying to the mechanical engineering sectors. Our work covers files including the Pressure Equipment Directive, the Simple Pressure Vessels Directive, the Construction Products Regulation, the Outdoor Noise Directive, the Gas Appliances Regulation and the ATEX Directive addressing equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
Consumer safety
In the rare cases when a technical product is not already covered by specific legislation and is likely to be used by consumers, the General Product Safety Directive applies additional procedures such as the rapid notification system for dangerous products (RAPEX). In this sphere, Orgalim has previously worked together with ANEC, the European consumer voice in standardisation, to call for an effective pan-European market surveillance system that will deliver safe products for consumers and fair competition for manufacturers.
