Importing or manufacturing power tools for the EU market requires compliance with various regulations, directives, and safety standards. Non-compliant power tools may pose mechanical, electrical, or other hazards to the operator – which could potentially result in severe injury or hearing damage.
In this guide, we take a closer look at the Machinery Regulation, Noise Emission in the Environment Directive, Batteries Regulation, and other compliance requirements for power tools in the European Union.
Content Overview
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Which products are considered power tools?
While there are many types of power tools, here we list examples taken from the list of standards harmonised under the Machinery Regulation:
- Drills
- Fasteners
- Tappers
- Grinders
- Sanders
- Polishers
- Nibblers
- Shears
Machinery Regulation
The Machinery Regulation sets essential health and safety requirements for machinery and related products such as chains, as well as partly completed machinery.
It defines “machinery” as an assembly that is connected to, or meant to be connected to, a drive system that comprises components or linked parts, at least one of which can move, and that are attached together for a specific usage. This also includes some types of power tools. Here are some examples:
- Drills
- Lawn trimmers
- Band-saws
- Portable chainsaws
Article 2 of the regulation lists products that are exempted from the Regulation. For example, It does not cover some electrical and electronic products covered by the Low Voltage Directive and the Radio Equipment Directive, such as electric motors.
The Machinery Regulation requires you to:
- Provide relevant documentation
- Affix the CE marking, traceability labels and relevant warnings and markings to the product
- Have your product undergo lab testing and conformity assessment
Standards
Harmonised standards allow you to comply with the technical requirements set by the regulation. Here are some examples of standards for power tools harmonised under the Machinery Regulation:
EN ISO 11681-1 – Machinery for forestry – Portable chainsaw safety requirements and testing – Part 1: Chain-saws for forest service
EN ISO 28927-5 – Hand-held portable power tools – Test methods for evaluation of vibration emission – Part 5: Drills and impact drills
EN 60745-2-12 – Hand-held motor-operated electric tools – Safety – Part 2-12: Particular requirements for concrete vibrators
EN ISO 28927-7 – Hand-held portable power tools – Test methods for evaluation of vibration emission – Part 7: Nibblers and shears
Documentation
You should provide various pieces of documentation with your product. In this section, we list the key documentation requirements.
| Document | Description |
| Declaration of Conformity | The Declaration of Conformity should contain the information listed in Annex V, Part A. |
| Technical documentation | The regulation requires machinery manufacturers to provide technical documentation of their products.
If their product is a finished product, they should provide the technical documentation information listed in Annex IV Part A. |
| Instructions | The regulation mandates manufacturers to provide a copy of the instructions (e.g. for assembly, connection, usage) with their product. |
| Test reports | Manufacturers should have their machinery tested. If their product passes tests, they receive a test report indicating compliance with the regulatory requirements. |
Labelling
Manufacturers should also properly label their machinery.
| Title | Description |
| CE marking | 
Affixing the CE marking is mandatory on products covered by the Machinery Regulation. |
| Traceability information | Manufacturers need to affix traceability information to their products, packaging, or documentation. Such information should include:
|
| Signs and warnings | Various forms of machinery require different types of signs, signals, and warnings. |
| Markings | According to the regulation, the product may carry a pictogram, marking, or symbol that indicates a special risk or use, where appropriate. |
Noise Emission in the Environment Directive
The Noise Emission in the Environment Directive establishes noise emission requirements for equipment that is intended to be used outdoors. Here are some examples of covered power tools:
- Lawn trimmers
- Brush cutters
- Portable chainsaws
It excludes non-powered attachments sold separately, among other products.
The directive generally requires you to provide documentation such as test reports, and user instructions, and correctly label your products with CE marking and other information.
Noise emission standards
Here are some examples of standards that are mentioned in the directive and may be relevant to power tools:
EN ISO 3744 – Acoustics – Determination of sound power levels and sound energy levels of noise sources using sound pressure – Engineering methods for an essentially free field over a reflecting plane
EN ISO 3746 – Acoustics – Determination of sound power levels and sound energy levels of noise sources using sound pressure – Survey method using an enveloping measurement surface over a reflecting plane
Documentation
In this section, we list the key documentation requirements.
| Document | Description |
| Declaration of Conformity | The Declaration of Conformity should indicate the product’s conformity with the regulatory requirements.
Manufacturers should ensure that their Declaration of Conformity contains the information listed in Annex II of the directive. |
| Technical documentation | The directive requires manufacturers to provide technical documentation, which should contain the information listed in Annex V(3). |
| Instructions | The directive mandates that manufacturers provide an instruction manual with their products. |
| Test reports | Manufacturers should have their product undergo testing, and when their product passes tests, they receive a test report indicating product compliance. |
Labelling
Here we list the key labelling requirements set by the directive.
| Title | Description |
| CE marking | This directive requires the manufacturer to affix a CE marking onto the product before selling it. |
| Traceability information | The directive requires the provision of traceability information to permit the product to be traced back to the importer or manufacturer. |
| Guaranteed sound power level marking | The directive defines “guaranteed sound power level” as a sound power level dictated by the requirements set out in Annex III.
Manufacturers are required to provide the guaranteed sound power level marking together with the CE marking. This marking needs to comply with the dimensional and informational requirements in Annex IV. |
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive
The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive applies to electric and electronic equipment that may cause electromagnetic disturbance to other electric products. Such products include electric tools and similar apparatus.
Covered products should:
a. Comply with the essential requirements set out in Annex I
b. Undergo a conformity assessment and lab testing
c. Be accompanied by relevant documentation (e.g. test report)
d. Be properly labelled (e.g. with CE marking)
Standards
We could not find harmonised standards that specifically mention power tools. Here we list some examples of standards that may apply to power tools, even if only partially:
EN 55014-1 – Electromagnetic compatibility – Requirements for household appliances, electric tools and similar apparatus – Part 1: Emission
EN 50370-1 – Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Product family standard for machine tools – Part 1: Emission
EN 50370-2 – Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) – Product family standard for machine tools – Part 2: Immunity
Documentation
Here we list the documents manufacturers should provide:
a. Declaration of Conformity – should contain information listed in Annex IV
b. Technical documentation – should contain the information listed in Annex II-A(3)
c. User instructions – provision of user instructions is mandatory
d. Test report – a required document as part of the technical documentation
Labelling
The manufacturer should affix a CE marking onto their product. They should also provide product traceability information, which should include:
- Product type, batch, or serial number
- Manufacturer name
- Postal address
Low Voltage Directive
The Low Voltage Directive sets requirements for electrical equipment that operate between 50-1000 V AC and 57-1500 V DC. As such, it applies to chargers, and it may also apply to some types of power tools.
The directive requires covered products to:
a. Not pose risks to humans, pets, or property when used or maintained as intended
b. Comply with the principal safety objectives listed in Annex I
c. Undergo lab testing
d. Be accompanied by relevant documentation and labelling
Standards
Here are some examples of standards that may be relevant for some types of power tools:
EN IEC 60974-1 – Arc welding equipment – Part 1: Welding power sources
EN 61071 – Capacitors for power electronics
Documentation
Here are the documents that the manufacturer needs to provide:
a. Declaration of Conformity – should contain the information listed in Annex IV
b. Technical documentation – should contain the information listed in Module A-2 in Annex III
c. User instructions – manufacturers should provide this with their equipment
d. Test report – manufacturers should provide this as part of their technical documentation
Labelling
The directive requires manufacturers to affix the CE marking and traceability information on their products. This should include:
- Product type, batch, or serial number
- Manufacturer name, or trade name, or trademark
- Manufacturer postal address
RoHS Directive
The RoHS Directive sets substance restrictions for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sold in the EU, which includes power tools.
The directive requires importers and manufacturers to make sure that their EEE:
a. Comply with the substance restrictions listed in Annex II
b. Undergo lab testing
c. Are accompanied by relevant documentation (e.g. test report)
d. Are properly labelled (e.g. CE marking, traceability information)
Substance restrictions
The directive restricts ten substances, including some heavy metals such as cadmium, and some phthalates, such as DEHP.
Documentation
The RoHS Directive requires manufacturers to create and issue:
a. Declaration of Conformity – should contain information listed in Annex VI
b. Technical documentation – should contain information as listed in Module A-2 of Annex II of Decision 768/2008/EC
Labelling
Manufacturers are mandated to permanently affix the CE marking onto the finished product.
The directive also requires manufacturers to provide product traceability information with their product, which should include:
- Product type, batch, or serial number
- Manufacturer name, registered name or trademark
- Manufacturer address
Batteries Regulation
The Batteries Regulation establishes requirements for batteries and waste batteries sold in the EU. Most power tools are powered by portable batteries, which are covered by the regulation. Here we focus on the requirements for those types of batteries
The regulation generally mandates that batteries:
a. Not pose risks to the environment, property, people, and human health
b. Comply with requirements regarding safety, and sustainability
c. Are accompanied by relevant documentation, labelling information, and instructions
Standards
You can find a list of standards harmonised under the regulation on CENELEC. The listed standards are under either approval, enquiry, drafting, or preliminary stages. Here are some examples:
prEN IEC 60086-1 – Primary batteries – Part 1: General
prEN IEC 60086-2-1 – Primary batteries – Part 2-1: Physical and electrical specifications of batteries with aqueous electrolyte
prEN IEC 60086-2-2 – Primary batteries – Part 2-2: Physical and electrical specifications of lithium batteries
Documentation
Here are the main documents that manufacturers of portable batteries need to provide:
a. Declaration of Conformity – should contain the information in Annex IX
b. Technical documentation – should contain the information listed in Part A(2) of Annex VIII
c. Test reports – provision is mandatory as part of the technical documentation
d. Instructions and safety information
Labelling
The regulation requires manufacturers to affix the following to their battery product, packaging, or accompanying document information such as the following:
- CE marking
- Separate collection symbol
- QR code
- Battery capacity information
Lab Testing
Lab testing is necessary to prove product safety and compliance with regulatory requirements. Some directives or regulations require lab testing and the provision of a test report as part of the mandated technical documentation, while for others, testing is a practical necessity. Regardless, when your product passes testing, you receive a test report indicating compliance with the requirements.
| Regulation | Lab testing |
| Machinery Regulation | This regulation requires covered machinery to undergo testing (e.g. static or dynamic tests) to determine the product’s compliance with the regulation’s requirements. |
| Noise Emission in the Environment Directive | This directive sets methods for measuring how much noise outdoor-use equipment can emit into the air.
You can find those methods in Annex III of the directive – Part A contains the basic noise emission standard, while Part B provides equipment-specific noise test codes. |
| EMC Directive | This directive requires covered equipment to undergo lab testing to determine its electromagnetic compatibility or whether it poses electromagnetic risks to other devices and equipment. |
| Low Voltage Directive | This directive mandates that covered electrical equipment undergo testing per its technical requirements for electrical safety. |
| RoHS Directive | This directive requires electrical and electronic products to undergo testing to ensure they do not contain restricted substances exceeding the limits indicated in Annex II.
For instance, covered products should be tested to prove they do not contain more than 0.01% lead by weight. |
| Batteries Regulation | This regulation requires batteries to undergo testing to prove they are safe (e.g. do not pose harm to human health) and do not exceed the restricted substance limits listed in Annex I.
For example, batteries should not contain more than 0.0005% of mercury by weight. |
Power tool testing companies
Here we list several companies that claim to be able to test power tools to the above directives or regulations
- Intertek
- Eurofins
- QIMA
- TÜV Rheinland
Additional Requirements
Here we list some other regulations that are relevant to consumer products in general, including power tools.
| Regulation | Description |
| General Product Safety Regulation | The General Product Safety Regulation sets safety requirements for consumer products, including the following:
In general, the regulation sets requirements for aspects that are not already covered by other regulations. |
| Ecodesign Directive | The Ecodesign Directive applies to energy-related products, such as power adaptors. We could not find any information stating that the directive specifically covers power tools.
To comply with the directive, you should:
|
| Radio Equipment Directive | The Radio Equipment Directive sets requirements regarding the electromagnetic compatibility, health and safety, and radio spectrum usage of covered radio equipment.
These requirements would apply to power tools with wireless communication features, such as Bluetooth and Wifi. |
| REACH | The REACH Regulation sets restrictions for substances used in a wide variety of products. Power tools may contain substances restricted by REACH.
Here are some examples of such substances:
|
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