The Low Voltage Directive (LVD), 2014/35/EU, covers the electrical safety of equipment working at 50 to 1,000 V AC or 75 to 1,500 V DC. The EMC Directive, 2014/30/EU, makes sure equipment neither causes excessive electromagnetic interference nor fails because of it.
Both lead to CE marking. Which one applies to your purchase depends on whether you are buying a complete machine or electrical equipment on its own.
How they apply to machinery
For complete machinery, electrical hazards are covered by the machinery rules. The safety objectives of the LVD apply, but conformity assessment for electrical hazards is done under the machinery law. So the declaration for a machine normally cites the machinery law, not the LVD.
The EMC Directive is different. A machine with motors, drives, PLCs or other electronics usually has to meet it in addition to the machinery rules. The declaration should then list both.
Electrical equipment that is not machinery, such as a motor, a control panel or a cable sold on its own, usually falls under the LVD directly, plus the EMC Directive where relevant.
Standards commonly used
- EN 60204-1 covers the electrical equipment of machines and is central to electrical safety for most machinery.
- The EN 61000-6 series sets generic EMC immunity and emission limits for industrial and residential environments.
- Product-specific standards may replace the generic ones, for example for variable speed drives.
Other EU rules to check
Electric motors sold in the EU must meet ecodesign efficiency rules, explained in IE2, IE3 and IE4 motor efficiency. Restrictions on hazardous substances in electrical equipment, known as RoHS, may also apply, with some exclusions for large industrial installations.
From 20 January 2027 the new EU Machinery Regulation replaces the Machinery Directive. Its approach to electrical hazards is similar. Our guide to CE marking for machinery explains who carries the legal responsibility.
What to ask your supplier
Ask which directives and standards the declaration will cite. Ask for EMC test reports, or the reasoning if the maker relies on CE-marked components. Check that drives have the filters the drive maker specifies, and that cables are screened and earthed as required.
Ask also how the machine was tested for EMC. Large machines are often assessed on site or by analysis rather than in a test chamber. That is acceptable where the standard allows it, but the reasoning should be written down in the technical file.
Indian panels are often built well, but to local practice. Earthing, cable sizing, emergency stop circuits and enclosure ratings are the points most often missed. Confirm your obligations with a notified body or an EMC test laboratory.
Next step
We inspect panels and wiring against your specification and check the documents before shipment. To review a machine's electrical compliance plan, book a free sourcing review.