Export & Compliance
The EU machinery directive requirements for forklifts and warehouse trucks — CE marking, declaration of conformity, technical file and the standards that apply.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
"CE certified" is a phrase you will see on almost every Chinese supplier website and it is, strictly speaking, meaningless. CE is not a certificate issued by anyone — it is a declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets the applicable EU legislation. What a buyer should actually ask for is the documentation behind it.
The legislation that applies
- **Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC** — the core requirement for powered industrial trucks
- **EMC Directive 2014/30/EU** — electromagnetic compatibility, relevant for electric trucks
- **Outdoor Noise Directive 2000/14/EC** — for certain outdoor equipment
- From 2027, the **Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230** replaces the Directive; designs placed on the market after that date must comply with the new text
The harmonised standards behind a CE claim
| Standard | What it covers |
|---|
| EN ISO 3691-1 | Safety requirements — industrial trucks, general |
| EN 1726-1 | Industrial trucks over 10,000 kg and towing tractors |
| EN 1175 | Electrical requirements for industrial trucks |
| EN 12053 | Noise measurement method |
| EN 13059 | Vibration measurement |
| EN 12895 | Electromagnetic compatibility |
What the documentation pack should contain
- **EC Declaration of Conformity** — signed, naming the manufacturer, the product and the directives applied
- **Technical file** — drawings, calculations, component certificates, risk assessment, test results
- **CE marking** on the machine, plus the data plate and any warning decals in the language of the destination country
- **Instructions in the destination language**
- **Component declarations** for safety-related parts — controllers, brakes, overspeed devices
What to check before you buy
- Does the declaration name **your exact model**, not a generic product family?
- Is it signed, dated, and does it name a responsible person in the EU, where required?
- Are the **standards listed** by number and year, or is it a vague statement?
- Is the **technical file** available for inspection, or only promised?
- Does the machine as delivered **match** the machine in the file — same mast, same controller, same brakes?
A supplier who cannot answer those five questions has a CE sticker, not CE compliance. If the machine is later involved in an incident, the declaration is the first document the authority will ask for.
Need help choosing the right truck?
Send us your load weight, lifting height and aisle width — we will recommend the right model.
Frequently asked questions
Does a forklift need CE marking for the EU?
Yes. Forklifts fall under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and require conformity assessment and CE marking before entering the EU market.
What documentation is needed?
Technical file (drawings, BOM, risk assessment, test reports), instructions, declaration of conformity and the list of applicable harmonised standards.
Is CE the same as a type test certificate?
No. CE is an EU market access requirement; type testing is a domestic special equipment requirement under different regulations.
