1.2.3 · Starting

What it requires

1.2.3 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 requires: start-up only by voluntary action on the control device provided (including restart after a stoppage); safe sequences where there are several control devices. It is unchanged in substance compared with Directive 2006/42/EC and applies to machinery placed on the market from 20 January 2027.

What the instruction manual must reflect

Start-up and restart procedure.

Official text

It shall be possible to start the machinery or related product only by voluntary actuation of a control device provided for the purpose. The same requirement applies: (a) when restarting the machinery or related product after a stoppage, whatever the cause; (b) when effecting a significant change in the operating conditions. However, the restarting of the machinery or related product or a change in operating conditions may be effected by voluntary actuation of a device other than the control device provided for the purpose, on condition that this does not lead to a hazardous situation. For the machinery or related product functioning in automatic mode, the starting of the machinery or related product, restarting after a stoppage, or a change in operating conditions may be possible without intervention, provided this does not lead to a hazardous situation. Where the machinery or related product has several starting control devices and the operators can therefore put each other in danger, additional devices shall be fitted to rule out such risks. If safety requires that starting and/or stopping shall be performed in a specific sequence, there shall be devices that ensure that these operations are performed in the correct order.

Source: Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, OJ L 165, 29.6.2023, Annex III, 1.2.3. The sections ‘What it requires’ and ‘What the instruction manual must reflect’ are our own summary and do not replace the official text.