What Certifications are Required for Aerial Work Platforms in Europe

Aerial work platforms entering the European market must obtain CE certification and comply with the Machinery Directive, Electrical / EMC Directives, and specialized safety standards. The core requirements are EN 280 and type testing by a Notified Body (NB).

1. Core Regulations and Directives (Mandatory)

1. Machinery Directive (MD 2006/42/EC)

Aerial work platforms (MEWP) are Annex IV hazardous machinery and must undergo type testing by an EU Notified Body (NB).

Required documents: Risk Assessment Report (EN ISO 12100), Technical File, Test Reports, Declaration of Conformity (DoC).

2. Low Voltage Directive (LVD 2014/35/EU)

Applies to electrical systems: AC 50–1000V / DC 75–1500V.

Corresponding standard: EN 60204-1 (Safety of machinery electrical equipment).

3. Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC 2014/35/EU)

Must comply with:

• EN 61000-6-2 (Immunity)
• EN 61000-6-4 (Emission)

4. Environmental Requirements (Depending on Product)

• RoHS 2011/65/EU: Restriction of hazardous substances such as lead and mercury.
• WEEE 2012/19/EU: Requirements for recycling and environmental disposal.

2. Core Safety Standards (Mandatory Harmonized Standards)

1. EN 280 (Mobile elevating work platforms, latest edition: EN 280:2022)

• Structural strength: 1.25× static load test, 1.1× dynamic load test.
• Stability: Horizontal / inclined / wind load (≤12m: 12m/s; >12m: 16m/s), anti-tip verification.
• Safety devices: Emergency descent, guardrails (≥1.1m), tilt protection (shutdown >3°), anti-crushing, overload / limit / emergency stop.
• Control system: Functional safety PLd (EN ISO 13849-1).
• Noise: Sound power level limits.

2. Other Key Standards

• EN ISO 12100: Safety of machinery – General principles for design, risk assessment and risk reduction.
• EN ISO 13849-1: Safety-related parts of control systems.
• EN 16307-3: Supplementary requirements for truck-mounted aerial work platforms.

3. Certification Process (Hazardous Machinery: Module B+D or H)

Technical File preparation: Drawings, calculations, risk assessment, BOM, manuals, component certificates.

1. Notified Body (NB) Type Testing (Module B): Full testing according to EN 280 and other standards, obtain CE Type Examination Certificate.
2. Production Quality Assurance (Module D): NB audits factory ISO 9001 + machinery safety system to ensure consistency.
3. Sign DoC + affix CE mark: Allowed for sale in EU / EEA.

4. Common Misunderstandings and Notes

• EN 280 alone is insufficient: Must also comply with Machinery Directive + LVD + EMC, and be certified by an NB.
• Standard update: Use EN 280:2022 as the latest version; the 2013 edition is being phased out.
• Notified Body selection: Must be searchable in the EU NANDO database and qualified for MEWP.

5. Quick Compliance Checklis

1. CE marking with NB number
2. Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for Machinery Directive (MD)
3. EN 280:2022 Type Test Report
4. LVD (EN 60204-1) + EMC Test Reports
5. Risk Assessment Report (EN ISO 12100)
6. Complete Technical File and Production Quality System