Lift Module B (EU Type-Examination)

Module B is the EU type-examination of a model lift under Annex IV, Part B of the Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU. The notified body examines the technical design of the model lift and a representative lift, verifies that it meets the essential health and safety requirements of the directive and issues an EU type-examination certificate.

Short answer: Module B on its own is not enough. After the type-examination, one of the Module B+E, Module B+D or final inspection (B+F) routes is applied to place each lift derived from the model on the market.

What Is a Model Lift?

A model lift is a representative lift whose technical file shows how lifts derived from it will meet the essential health and safety requirements. The scope of the model is defined by objective parameters; lifts within the same model scope use identical safety components.

The main parameters defining the model scope are:

• drive type (electric or hydraulic) and suspension arrangement,
• rated load (capacity) and speed ranges,
• travel height and number of stops,
• design characteristics of the car, doors and shaft,
• the safety components used.

The types most commonly found in the industry are electric direct (1:1 roping), electric indirect (2:1 roping) and hydraulic indirect lifts. The company must show a lift for each certified type during the audit.

What Does the Technical File Contain?

• a general description of the model lift and the limits of permitted variations,
• design and manufacturing drawings, layout and circuit diagrams,
• how the essential health and safety requirements are met and the harmonised standards applied (EN 81-20, EN 81-50, etc.),
• EU type-examination certificates of the safety components used,
• calculations, examination and test reports,
• instructions for use, maintenance and rescue.

How Does the Module B Process Work?

1. Defining the model scope: The types to be certified and the parameter ranges are clarified.
2. Preparing the technical file: All design and verification documents of the model lift are compiled.
3. Application: An application for type-examination is made to a single notified body.
4. Examination and tests: The technical file is reviewed; inspections and tests are carried out on a lift representing the model.
5. EU type-examination certificate: A certificate is issued for a compliant model; it defines the scope of the model and any conditions.
6. Choosing the next route: The E, D or final inspection route is applied to lifts derived from the model.

Can You Go Beyond the Type Scope?

A Module B certificate allows only the types defined in the certificate to be built. The company cannot use components outside its declared component list and types without approval of the change from the notified body. Design or safety component changes that may affect the model scope must be reported to the notified body before they are applied, and the certificate updated where necessary.

Module G can be used for a one-off lift that falls outside the scope.

Routes Used Together with Module B

Route	Legal basis	In short
Module B+E	Annex IV-B + Annex X	Approved product quality system covering final inspection and testing
Module B+D	Annex IV-B + Annex XII	Approved production quality system covering manufacture, installation, final inspection and testing
Module B+F	Annex IV-B + Annex V	Final inspection of every completed lift by a notified body

For a general comparison of the routes, see our Lift Certification Modules guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Module B certificate enough for the CE marking on its own?

No. The type-examination approves the model; one of the E, D or final inspection routes must also be completed for each lift derived from the model.

Can Module B be obtained for more than one lift type?

Yes. A company can have separate type-examinations carried out for different lift types; new Module B certificates can also be added after the Module E certificate has been obtained.

What happens if a safety component changes?

Because the model lift is defined with identical safety components, a change of component must be reported to the notified body before it is applied, and its effect on the type certificate must be assessed.

Legal Basis

For the current scope and annexes, refer to the Lifts Regulation (2014/33/EU) (in Turkish) and the consolidated text of Directive 2014/33/EU.