{"id":5480,"date":"2022-07-20T13:40:15","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T11:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/machine-substantial-change\/"},"modified":"2025-08-19T16:16:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T14:16:03","slug":"machine-substantial-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/machine-substantial-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Machine: &#8220;Substantial change"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5480\" class=\"elementor elementor-5480 elementor-3371\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5d5e242d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5d5e242d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1f51b3ba\" data-id=\"1f51b3ba\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3014b7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3014b7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is this article about?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-438ed99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"438ed99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Under the Machinery Directive 2006\/42\/EC, the &#8220;significant change&#8221; of a machine is of central importance for <a href=\"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/manufacturer-machinery-directive\/\">manufacturers<\/a> , operators and users of machines. Such changes can have serious consequences for the safety and legal status of the machine, as they may result in the machine having to undergo the conformity assessment procedures again. But what exactly is meant by a &#8220;significant change&#8221;? What criteria and consequences are associated with it? This article explains the term &#8220;significant change&#8221; and its meaning in the Machinery Directive.    <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d9c989d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d9c989d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e9f244e\" data-id=\"e9f244e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c96bdb0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c96bdb0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The legal basis of the Machinery Directive 2006\/42\/EC<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-187afe7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"187afe7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/machine-safety-machine-directive\/\">Machinery Directive<\/a> 2006\/42\/EC regulates the essential health and safety requirements that machines must meet when placed on the market or put into service in the European Union. It also specifies which machines may be marked with a CE marking and which conformity procedures must be followed. A machine that complies with the Machinery Directive must  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-68384c63 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"68384c63\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1f4e68ee\" data-id=\"1f4e68ee\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5cd47f30\" data-id=\"5cd47f30\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16a9308f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"16a9308f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>can be operated safely without posing a risk to people or the environment.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-60a6cb81\" data-id=\"60a6cb81\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b393371 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b393371\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The concept of \u201csignificant change\u201d is defined in the Machinery Directive<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-22f8be3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"22f8be3\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e55cff6\" data-id=\"e55cff6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-72888d6\" data-id=\"72888d6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc62c85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc62c85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>not explicitly defined,<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a693bcd\" data-id=\"a693bcd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7c6de2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c7c6de2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>However, it has been clarified through various interpretations and guidelines. It refers to a change that affects the safety requirements of a machine to such an extent that the original declaration of conformity is no longer valid and new tests and measures are required. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d9bd6e1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d9bd6e1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-35658a8\" data-id=\"35658a8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-695c290 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"695c290\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is a significant change to a machine?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ad5d60 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ad5d60\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A machine is considered to be significantly modified if a modification to the machine changes the original safety design or the risk profile of the machine to such an extent that the existing EC declaration of conformity and the CE marking are no longer valid. Such a change can be made by the machine manufacturer, the operator or a third party. <\/p><p>Typical examples of significant changes are:<\/p><ul><li>Modifications or extensions that significantly change the functionality or capacity of the machine.<\/li><li>Changes to the machine&#8217;s control system, such as replacing the machine control with another technology or making significant changes to the safety software.<\/li><li>Installation of new components that do not comply with the original safety requirements of the machine or that significantly affect the operation of the machine.<\/li><\/ul><p>Modifications to the protective devices or the removal of safety-relevant components that reduce the level of protection of the machine.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fee18dc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fee18dc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8fc1279\" data-id=\"8fc1279\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2f1750 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f2f1750\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Criteria for a significant change to a machine<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b7f220 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7b7f220\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In practice, there are a few key criteria that are used to determine whether there has been a significant change to the machine:<\/p><ol><li>change in the risk profile<\/li><\/ol><p>A significant change occurs when the modification increases the risks posed by the machine or creates new hazards. For example, increasing the speed or pressure of a machine could create new hazards that were not taken into account in the original risk analysis. <\/p><ol start=\"2\"><li>interference with the safety functions<\/li><\/ol><p>If the safety functions of the machine are interfered with by removing or modifying protective devices, this is usually a significant change. This also applies if new safety functions are added that change the entire safety concept of the machine. <\/p><ol start=\"3\"><li>change in operating mode<\/li><\/ol><p>If the conversion changes the way the machine is operated, this can be a significant change. This could be the case, for example, if a semi-automatic machine becomes a fully automatic machine as a result of the conversion, as the operation and interaction with the machine changes significantly. <\/p><ol start=\"4\"><li>Repair vs. Remodeling<\/li><\/ol><p>It is important to distinguish between a mere repair and an actual conversion. A repair or maintenance job in which worn parts or defective components are replaced with equivalent or similar parts is not generally considered a significant change. On the other hand, a conversion in which new technologies or non-original components are used can very well represent a significant change.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e97e41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8e97e41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">recommendation of the BAMS<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4539cd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4539cd2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs ( <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmas.de\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BMAS<\/a> ) in Germany deals with various legal regulations and regulations to ensure the safety and health protection of employees in various work environments. An important aspect in this area is the Machinery Directive, which sets out requirements for the safe operation and use of machines. Under the Machinery Directive, it is crucial to consider changes to machinery carefully, particularly when significant changes are involved.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f77718 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0f77718\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/MRL_Wesentliche-Veraenderung-rah8lwbon3c2pkk8ihjm2oiffzfp19dgeu7cvo0rnk.jpg\" title=\"MRL_Significant-Change\" alt=\"Significant change in the Maschinenkanzlei\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Figure 1: Test \"Significant change\" according to BAMS.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-956ccbb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"956ccbb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If changes exceed the established limits, the modification is considered material. The effect of this is that the entire machine is considered new and the person making the change becomes, in practice, the manufacturer. The assessment of whether the change made should be classified as significant is the responsibility of the person carrying out the modification.<\/p><p>Whether the safety level (including all formalities) of a comparable CE machine must be achieved during the conversion depends crucially on whether conversion measures give rise to new risks that are no longer covered by the existing protective measures, see Figure 1.<\/p><p>Only the honestly conducted risk assessment can provide information about this. So anyone who makes changes as an operator,<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-d7e8760 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d7e8760\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4502d35\" data-id=\"4502d35\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1e7c331\" data-id=\"1e7c331\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e88884 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7e88884\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>a risk assessment must be carried out<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d0ee8d6\" data-id=\"d0ee8d6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-701d6b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"701d6b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 17px; color: var( --e-global-color-text ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-1b69a38-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-1b69a38-word-spacing ); background-color: var( --e-global-color-6da8ab0 );\">carry out.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ddcedd8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ddcedd8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5b85e1b\" data-id=\"5b85e1b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e21a86f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e21a86f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Consequences of a significant change to a machine<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fc9b6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2fc9b6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If a significant change has been made, this has legal and safety consequences:<\/p><ol><li>New Conformity Assessment<\/li><\/ol><p>In this case, the party who made the significant modification assumes the role of the new manufacturer. This means they must treat the machine as if it were new. The <a href=\"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/what-is-a-machine-definition\/\">machine<\/a> must then undergo the full conformity assessment procedure according to the Machinery Directive. This includes a new risk analysis, the preparation of technical documentation, the preparation of a new EC declaration of conformity, and the affixing of a new CE marking.   <\/p><ol start=\"2\"><li>safety requirements<\/li><\/ol><p>After the modification, the machine must continue to comply with the essential health and safety requirements of the Machinery Directive. If the modification makes the machine unsafe or creates new risks that have not been sufficiently minimised, the machine cannot be placed on the market or operated. <\/p><ol start=\"3\"><li>Liability<\/li><\/ol><p>The responsibility for the safety of the machine passes to the person who made the significant modification. This person is then responsible for any future accidents or damage that may arise from the unsafe use of the modified machine. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4271d22 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4271d22\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d1a679e\" data-id=\"d1a679e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec60c6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ec60c6f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Practical examples of significant changes to a machine<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82e5fd7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"82e5fd7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To better understand what constitutes a significant change, here are some short practical examples:<\/p><ol><li>Increasing machine power: Increasing the power of a motor or the capacity of a press could lead to an increase in kinetic energy and therefore a higher risk.<\/li><li>Replacing the control system: Replacing an old mechanical control system with a modern electronic control system can change the way safety functions are monitored and performed.<\/li><\/ol><p>Modification of protective devices: If an operator removes a protective cover to gain easier access, this constitutes a significant modification as it compromises the safety of the machine.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-df4efdb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"df4efdb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fe176d4\" data-id=\"fe176d4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea76499 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ea76499\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">borderline cases and gray areas<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ae0951 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9ae0951\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In practice, there are often grey areas where it is not clear whether a change is to be classified as significant or not. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-9a80333 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9a80333\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5df222b\" data-id=\"5df222b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f7009f\" data-id=\"3f7009f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f4a0dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8f4a0dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>internal experts or external consultants can help make an informed decision<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c99734f\" data-id=\"c99734f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bf45ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5bf45ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>to meet.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-17c3c23 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"17c3c23\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0885a22\" data-id=\"0885a22\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7f7919 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d7f7919\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion: Be careful when making changes to machines<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-930f469 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"930f469\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The term &#8220;significant change&#8221; is a key point when dealing with machinery, as it determines whether a machine continues to meet safety requirements or must be considered a new machine. Any change that affects the risk profile or safety functions of the machine can have far-reaching consequences. It is therefore essential to carefully check whether any planned modification constitutes a significant change and to act accordingly.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is this article about? Under the Machinery Directive 2006\/42\/EC, the &#8220;significant change&#8221; of a machine is of central importance for manufacturers , operators and users of machines. Such changes can have serious consequences for the safety and legal status of the machine, as they may result in the machine having to undergo the conformity [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5267,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ocean_post_layout":"full-screen","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"0","ocean_second_sidebar":"0","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"off","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"0","ocean_custom_header_template":"0","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"0","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"on","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"0","osh_disable_topbar_sticky":"default","osh_disable_header_sticky":"default","osh_sticky_header_style":"default","osh_sticky_header_effect":"","osh_custom_sticky_logo":0,"osh_custom_retina_sticky_logo":0,"osh_custom_sticky_logo_height":0,"osh_background_color":"","osh_links_color":"","osh_links_hover_color":"","osh_links_active_color":"","osh_links_bg_color":"","osh_links_hover_bg_color":"","osh_links_active_bg_color":"","osh_menu_social_links_color":"","osh_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[42],"class_list":["post-5480","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-machine-safety","tag-change-machine","entry","has-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5480"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5480\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14350,"href":"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5480\/revisions\/14350"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maschinenkanzlei.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?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