Laser Processing Why European Machine Safety Standards Must be Enforced

Working with unsafe laser machines poses a significant risk to the health of employees. That is why several manufacturers have joined forces in the CECIMO Working Council to enforce European machine safety standards.

The safety of workers and operators should always be a top priority. Unsafe machines pose a significant risk for accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. Working with unsafe laser machines, especially those without sufficient beam protection, entails serious health risks. These include skin burns and permanent eye damage from direct or accidental laser exposure, inhalation hazards, chemical exposure, electrical risks, and long-term health consequences. To ensure operator safety, choosing compliant and properly secured laser machines is essential. For end users and customers, machine safety means protecting their employees, securing their investments, and minimizing potential legal and financial implications. Furthermore, the use of compliant machines contributes to the reputation and credibility of the entire industry. However, ensuring CE compliance alone can easily mean a price difference of 10 to 20 percent, significantly influencing decision-making. Established providers worldwide—particularly in the EU—are increasingly witnessing cases where potential customers, drawn to attractive prices, unknowingly consider machines with counterfeit safety solutions.

End users play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and compliance of the machines they purchase. One of the most important steps is to demand proper documentation and certification from the manufacturers. This includes checking for CE markings and obtaining relevant information regarding the machine’s compliance with required safety standards, as end users often mistakenly view the CE marking as a "certificate" or may even be misled by the very similar "China Export" symbol, which looks almost identical to a CE marking. Collaborating with established and reputable manufacturers and seeking recommendations and advice from industry associations can also contribute to informed decisions. For this purpose, CECIMO has published a simplified CE checklist for machine tools, which has been ratified by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) and can be found here: Guidelines of CE Marking on Laser Machines—CECIMO.

Legally Responsible for Employee Safety

Non-compliant machines may initially appear cost-effective, but the risks far outweigh the benefits. Non-compliant machines can lead to frequent breakdowns, inefficient operation, and prolonged downtime due to unexpected malfunctions. Moreover, not all end users are aware that, within the EU, they are legally responsible for the safety of their employees, even if the non-compliant functions of a machine are due to the manufacturer's negligence. The manufacturer's responsibility for damages arising from inadequate safety measures in the design and production of the machine does not absolve the employer of their own responsibility. Employers are obligated to eliminate risks for employees using the machine and to adopt modern technologies to ensure employee safety in the workplace.

Even within the EU, specific regulations vary from country to country. Given this complexity, it would benefit all market participants to have an EU-wide standardized procedure and unified jurisdiction. The new EU Supply Chain Act, also known as the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD), could, if implemented correctly, already ensure a level playing field for all EU and non-EU suppliers in Europe. This is also why it is challenging for market surveillance authorities to detect unsafe equipment—it is nearly impossible to take action, as exemplified in the USA, which recently blacklisted several suppliers, meaning their products can no longer be imported into the US even without inspection. India has also responded by halting the import of unsafe equipment. In turn, this could lead to even more unsafe machines entering the EU market in the future, requiring increased awareness from end users and market surveillance authorities.

Commitment to Safety, Transparency and Compliance

Established providers worldwide report cases where potential customers, attracted by appealing prices, unknowingly consider machines with counterfeit safety solutions. Competing with manufacturers that prioritize cost savings over safety is a challenge. However, these experiences motivated the European machine tool industry to emphasize their commitment to safety, transparency, and compliance and to come together on this topic in a CECIMO working council. Through the exchange of experiences and educating customers about potential risks from both legal and economic perspectives, they aim to create a market environment where safety takes precedence above all.

Politics has also understood that the EU must place greater focus on its competitiveness than before. The European internal market, in particular, must be quickly protected from unfair competitors and subsidized low-cost products. To this end, the EU Commission recently identified significant shortcomings with its new internal market strategy. The EU e-commerce strategy from early February also brings these issues further into focus. However, recognition alone is not enough. Concrete solutions are needed, such as holding platform operators accountable or creating a unified EU market surveillance authority. With the involvement of customs authorities, non-compliant products and machines must already be identified and rejected at the EU’s external borders. Customs reforms and the digital product passport can play a key role here. In the fall, discussions will enter a critical phase regarding the so-called New Legislative Framework (NLF). This framework provides the legal basis for product regulations such as the CE marking and the declaration of conformity. It is essential that these measures take effect quickly and strengthen the competitiveness of quality and safety-conscious companies now. Currently, political focus is heavily directed at low-cost products sold online in the B2C sector, but the issue of machine safety should urgently be included due to the economic impact of these expensive machines and the high risks of non-compliance.

The collaboration of politics, market surveillance, professional associations, suppliers, organizations, and users is fundamentally important. It increases the overall safety of machines across various industries and ensures the well-being of users. Furthermore, it promotes fair competition by eliminating the advantage of non-compliant manufacturers due to lower production costs. Ultimately, we aim for a safer and more reliable market environment that benefits both businesses and employees.

*Member of the CECIMO task force on "unsafe machines"