Compliance Made Simple With a New CECE Platform

The Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE) has officially launched a new digital platform, www.compliantconstructionmachinery.eu, designed to help identify non-compliant machinery across key categories of construction equipment sold or imported into the European Union. The launch responds to growing pressure on manufacturers, importers, and enforcement agencies to meet the increasingly complex requirements under EU law.

Unveiled during the CECE Summit in Brussels, the platform is positioned as a practical, inspection-level tool. It aims to ensure that only safe, compliant machinery circulates in the European Single Market—a goal increasingly challenged by grey imports, non-declared equipment, and missing documentation. The platform offers simple, visual brochures that help users assess machines like excavators, wheel loaders, compact rollers, tower cranes, and compact excavators without needing specialist technical knowledge.

Riccardo Viaggi, CECE Secretary General, said during the launch,

“Effective market surveillance is fundamental to ensuring fairness, safety and innovation in our industry. With this new platform, CECE provides a valuable resource to help all stakeholders confidently navigate compliance requirements and support a level playing field in the Single Market.”

Each Machine a Guide

Each guide on the platform walks the reader through key features of compliant machines, beginning with manufacturer identification. In all five brochures, CECE highlights the importance of clearly marked nameplates showing the machine’s year of manufacture, operating mass, engine power, CE marking, and the full contact details of the economic operator responsible for the product. One recurring issue flagged by CECE is the absence of proper markings or the use of non-EU languages on labels—often the first visible indicator that the machine may not be suitable for sale or use in the EU.

What to know about Machinery Regulation

The next layer of compliance is documentary. Every machine must be accompanied by a valid Declaration of Conformity (DoC), a formal document stating which EU directives and regulations the machine complies with. This includes the Machinery Directive, or its successor the EU Machinery Regulation (set to apply from January 2027), as well as the Noise Emission Directive and either the EMC or Radio Equipment Directive. The DoC must match the machine’s serial number and include specific noise levels, names and addresses of responsible persons within the EU, and the technical file location. CECE notes that this is where many non-compliant machines fail: some may have generic or falsified DoCs, or lack them altogether.

Instructions for use, according to the brochures, must be provided either in printed or digital form and always in the official language of the destination country. They must also include the DoC contents, except the signature and serial number, and must be marked as either the original instructions or a verified translation. CECE emphasizes that improperly translated manuals, or those lacking noise and vibration data, are a red flag—especially for machines imported from outside the EU.

The brochures also dedicate significant attention to engine compliance. Under Regulation (EU) 2016/1628, all engines placed on the EU market must comply with Stage V emissions standards. The engine must bear a visible Type Approval Number, typically found on the engine data plate. The guides show examples of what a compliant plate looks like, while also explaining how customs or surveillance officers can identify machines that lack this critical information. According to CECE, if an engine lacks a visible type approval plate—or if the plate is hidden behind components—it is to be considered non-compliant under EU law.

Noise levels are also regulated, particularly for machines like compactors and rollers. The brochures cite the maximum permissible sound power levels by engine power class, based on Directive 2000/14/EC. For example, a vibratory plate with a 9.6 kW engine must not exceed a guaranteed sound power of 109 dB. Exceeding this limit, or omitting the noise label altogether, places the machine outside the legal threshold. CECE includes precise formulas and noise-stage classifications for each machine type, making it easier for inspectors and buyers to verify on-site.

The platform also addresses several often-overlooked compliance areas. For instance, lifting operations with excavators or tower cranes must follow specific safety rules. Machines must include visible load charts, cylinder lowering devices, and marked lifting hooks. Wheel loaders and compact excavators must be equipped with proper seat belts, and their rollover or tipping protective structures (ROPS and TOPS) must be visibly labeled in line with ISO or EN standards.

Access systems—especially on rollers—must provide safe entry to the cab. The height of the first step should not exceed 600 mm from the ground, and all steps must be slip-resistant. CECE has included photos in the brochures showing both compliant and non-compliant designs. Similar attention is given to the placement and language of safety labels. Warning signs must be written in the official EU language of the country where the machine is operated and positioned visibly inside the cab or on high-risk components

As of 2025, new compliance requirements under Regulation (EU) 2024/573 require labeling and documentation for fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-Gases), which are often used in air conditioning systems. The brochures explain how to locate the F-Gas label near the compressor or AC ports and detail what information must be included—such as the type of gas, weight, and CO₂ equivalent emissions. A missing or incomplete label renders the machine non-compliant. CECE has also flagged the need for proper authorization from importers under the F-Gas quota system, a requirement now verifiable through customs platforms.

Battery compliance will become mandatory in the near future as part of the updated EU Battery Regulation. Machines using lithium or lead-acid batteries must bear CE markings and chemical compliance labels, particularly relevant for compact electric machines.

Throughout all five brochures, CECE underscores that the presence of just one missing or incorrect compliance element can disqualify a machine from being legally placed on the market. The platform’s goal is not to act as a replacement for full certification, but to provide stakeholders with a quick, visual guide to assess potential risks.

Beyond documentation, CECE emphasizes the economic stakes. The European construction equipment industry employs around 300,000 people and generates €59 billion in annual revenue. Non-compliant machines erode trust, reduce safety, and create unfair competition for manufacturers and importers who invest heavily in meeting EU regulations. By promoting this platform, CECE calls on national authorities, customs officials, contractors, and equipment dealers to jointly foster a culture of compliance across Europe.

The platform is now live and freely accessible. CECE has committed to updating the guides in step with future regulations, including the transition to the new Machinery Regulation in 2027. It invites feedback from users across the supply chain and encourages integration of the tools into procurement, inspection, and enforcement workflows.

For now, the five brochures—covering excavators, compact excavators, wheel loaders, tower cranes, and compactor rollers—offer a comprehensive starting point. Additional machine categories are expected to follow.

To access the platform, visit: www.compliantconstructionmachinery.eu

Compliance Made Simple With a New CECE Platform published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.