What legislation regulates elevators?

The vertical transport sector (elevators, lifts, freight elevators, car lifts, etc.) is regulated at European level by different Directives depending on the speed reached by the devices.

• European Lift Directive: regulates devices that have a speed greater than 0.15 m/s, whether electric or hydraulic.

• European Machinery Directive: regulates devices that have a speed of less than 0.15 m/s, whether electric or hydraulic.

At national level, EN 81.2 (hydraulic system) and EN 81.1 (electrical system) regulations apply.

Elevator Directive

Directive 95/16/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 1995 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to lifts. Date of adoption: 29/6/1995.

Frequently asked questions and answers about this Directive.
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Machinery Directive

Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast). Date of adoption: 17/5/2006.

Frequently asked questions and answers about this Directive.

Read the full Directive.

Source: Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade (MITYC); Foundation for the Promotion of Industrial Innovation (FFII)