Important Ecodesign Regulation reminder for machine builders

EU rules will impact motors and drives from 1 July this year

Hold Tech Files is alerting machine builders that on 1 July a new European Ecodesign Regulation comes into force. This has serious implications for machines placed on the market in the European Union (EU), if they incorporate electric motors or variable-speed drives (VSDs) within the scope of the new Regulation. The same rules apply whether the machine builder is based in the EU or elsewhere.

European Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 lays down ecodesign requirements for electric motors and VSDs, effectively expanding on the rules in place previously. The aim is to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Regulation 2019/1781 covers electric motors of lower and higher powers than before, and it introduces energy efficiency requirements for VSDs. There are limits and exceptions, but the important point is that machine builders need to be aware of the new rules and know how to comply.

Mirror legislation

UK legislation mirrors the EU ecodesign Regulation, so the same rules also apply in Great Britain (ie England, Wales and Scotland). Products placed on the market in Northern Ireland must comply with EU rules in accordance with the Northern Ireland Protocol.

In the EU and UK, machine builders will find they can no longer purchase non-ecodesign motors and drives, because it will be illegal for these to be placed on the market. Elsewhere, however, less stringent requirements may mean non-compliant motors and drives can still be obtained. Using these in a machine for the EU or GB would be illegal, because when the machine is placed on the market or put into use for the first time, motors or drives incorporated within the machine are deemed to be placed on the market or put into use at the same time.

In terms of machine design, it is a straightforward matter of specifying ecodesign-compliant motors and VSDs, and installing them in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Importantly, Regulation 2019/1781 also lays down requirements relating to documentation.

Ecodesign-compliant or exempt

A machine builder must be able to demonstrate that motors and drives are ecodesign-compliant or exempt. A copy of the relevant data sheets or manuals that came with the motors and drives must therefore be supplied with the machine.

While there is no provision in the Regulation for the machine builder to retain a copy of the ecodesign documentation, it would be prudent to do so. If a machine is CE marked to the European Machinery Directive or UKCA marked to the UK's Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, there will be a technical file. This should only contain the specified items relating to machinery safety, so ecodesign documentation should be filed separately.

Machine builders in the EU can retain the technical file themselves, but non-EU machine builders must name a person established in the EU on the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) as being authorised to compile the technical file. Furthermore, from 16 July 2021 many non-EU machine builders will need to appoint an Authorised Representative, in compliance with the new EU Regulation 2019/1020 on market surveillance.

It would be simplest for non-EU machine builders to provide a copy of the ecodesign documentation to the person authorised to compile the technical file or the Authorised Representative, as appropriate.

An authorised person 

Hold Tech Files Ltd is based in the Republic of Ireland and can be named ona DoC as the person authorised to compile the technical file. "The company has created a simple self-service online portal where machine builders can sign a mandate, pay a fee and upload relevant files to a secure server," it states. This entitles the manufacturer to name Hold Tech Files on the DoC for up to ten years.

In addition, Hold Tech Files can act as an Authorised Representative for non-EU machine builders and retain ecodesign documentation on behalf of clients.

Machine builders need to be aware of new European Ecodesign Regulation.
Machine builders need to be aware of new European Ecodesign Regulation.

Hold Tech Files Ltd

Dun Iseal House, Newtown, Gaulsmills
Ferrybank
Waterford
IRELAND

derek@holdtechfiles.eu

https://holdtechfiles.eu/

More news
3 days ago
Cranfield University team up with the RBTX UK team
In this video you can see how Cranfield University and the Igus RBTX team came together, with a snapshot into the recent event that took place.
3 days ago
Lenze opens door to digitalisation at ITMA
Lenze is using ITMA as a platform to showcase how textile machine providers can exploit the opportunities of digitalisation and be ready for future challenges with today’s solutions.
3 days ago
New Norgren website offers extended self-serve functionality
Norgren has launched its enhanced global website, offering customers improved functionality that includes the ability to select, order and track products on a ‘self-serve’ basis.
5 days ago
Spelsberg UK announces nationwide roadshow and open day
Spelsberg UK is excited to announce its “Spelsberg on the Road” roadshow. A state-of-the-art tour bus, equipped with a working showroom, will visit numerous locations across the country beginning late May.
5 days ago
Single controller for robot and machine axes optimises productivity
Installing a robotic pick-and-place and integrated conveyor solution has increased productivity for a pharmaceutical manufacturer while maintaining regulatory compliance. Combining a vision system optimised for accuracy that assures end-to-end traceability, a single controller from Trio manages both the robot and conveyor axes, increasing reliability for the end user.
6 days ago
Schaeffler rewards suppliers for outstanding performance
Schaeffler presented 19 of its suppliers with the Schaeffler Supplier Award at the Supplier Day in Herzogenaurach, Germany, in honour of their exceptional performance.
6 days ago
Educational programme announced for Manufacturing and Engineering Week
With just under two weeks until Manufacturing and Engineering Week 2023 and its centrepiece exhibitions open their doors on 7th and 8th of June at Birmingham’s NEC, the full educational programme has been announced.
6 days ago
Streamlining banding machines for sustainable packaging
When sustainable bundling and banding solutions company Bandall faced the challenge of using different sensors for detecting various product formats, it turned to Omron for a solution.
6 days ago
Acorn partners with Bosch Rexroth
Acorn has announced its appointment as an LT Solution Partner for Bosch Rexroth Linear Motion Technology. Rexroth offers a very wide range of linear motion solutions, from a single component to multi-axis complete systems.
1 week ago
See the latest and greatest in Machine Vision Technology at MVC 2023
Now in its seventh year, the Machine Vision Conference and Exhibition is recognised as the leading machine vision trade show worldwide. This year’s show will feature an exciting range of new machine vision technology including the latest products from leading companies.

Login / Sign up