New version of the ‘Blue Guide’ on the implementation of EU product rules
The new ‘Blue Guide’ has been published. It builds on the on the content of the Guide to the implementation of directives based on the New Approach and the Global Approach (the “Blue Guide”) published back in 2000, but reflects the modernisation brought to the legal framework in the past decade.
- This new version of the Guide includes new chapters, for example on the obligations of economic operators or accreditation, or completely revised chapters such as those on standardisation or market surveillance.
This Guide is intended to contribute to a better understanding of EU product rules and to their more uniform and coherent application across different sectors and throughout the single market. It is addressed to the Member States and others who need to be informed of the provisions designed to ensure the free circulation of products as well as a high level of protection throughout the Union (e.g. trade and consumer associations, standardisation bodies, manufacturers, importers, distributors, conformity assessment bodies and trade unions).
The new ‘Blue Guide’ primarily relates to the EU legislation on:
- The restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (Directive 2011/65/EU)
- Appliances burning gaseous fuels (Directive 2009/142/EC)
- Ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (Directive 2009/125/EC)
- Simple pressure vessels (Directive 2009/105/EC)
- Toys’ safety (Directive 2009/48/EC)
- Electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (Directive 2006/95/EC)
- Machinery (Directive 2006/42/EC)
- Electromagnetic compatibility (Directive 2004/108/EC)
- Measuring instruments (Directive 2004/22/EC)
- Non-automatic weighing instruments (Directive 2009/23/EC)
- Cableway installations designed to carry persons (Directive 2000/9/EC)
- Radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment (Directive 1999/5/EC)
- Active implantable medical devices (Directive 90/385/EEC)
- Medical devices (Directive 93/42/EEC)
- In vitro diagnostic medical devices (Directive 98/79/EC)
- Pressure equipment (Directive 97/23/EC)
- Transportable Pressure equipment (Directive 2010/35/EU)
- Aerosol Dispensers (Directive 75/324/EEC as amended)
- Lifts (Directive 95/16/EC)
- Recreational craft (Directive 94/25/EC)
- Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (Directive 94/9/EC)
- Explosives for civil uses (Directive 93/15/EEC)
- Pyrotechnics (Directive 2013/29/EU)
- Efficiency requirements for new hot-water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels (Council Directive 92/42/EEC)
- Personal protective equipment (Directive 89/686/EEC)
- Marine equipment (Directive 96/98/EC)
- Noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors (Directive 2000/14/EC)
- Emissions from non-road mobile machinery (Directive 97/68/EC as amended)
- Energy labelling (Directive 2010/30/EU)