Lift Safety Component Certification

The Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU covers not only completed lifts, but also the safety components for lifts listed in Annex III of the directive. Manufacturers of these products must complete the conformity assessment, draw up the EU declaration of conformity and affix the CE marking before placing them on the market.

The modules for safety components are not the same as those for completed lifts. In particular, H and H1, and B+E, which is used in two separate scopes, should not be confused.

Safety Components Listed in Annex III

The directive lists the following product groups as safety components:

1. devices for locking landing doors,
2. devices to prevent the car from falling or from unchecked movement,
3. overspeed limitation devices,
4. energy-accumulating shock absorbers, either non-linear or with buffered return movement, and energy-dissipating shock absorbers,
5. safety devices fitted to the jacks of hydraulic power circuits where these are used as devices to prevent falls,
6. electric safety devices in the form of safety circuits containing electronic components.

The trade name of a product may not be enough on its own to decide whether it is in scope. The product’s safety function and the Annex III definition must be assessed together.

Which Modules Apply to Safety Components?

Article 15 of the directive defines three alternative routes:

Route	Annexes	Approach
B+C2	Annex IV-A + Annex IX	EU type-examination + random checks by the notified body
B+E	Annex IV-A + Annex VI	EU type-examination + product quality assurance
H	Annex VII	Conformity based on full quality assurance

For these options, the scope of the application, the production model, product variety and the maturity of the quality system are assessed together.

Safety Component Module B+C2

In the first stage, the product model is submitted for EU type-examination under Annex IV-A. The notified body assesses the technical design and a representative specimen.

In the subsequent C2 stage, the manufacturer ensures that products conform to the approved type; the notified body carries out, or has carried out, inspections and tests on suitable samples taken from the production site at random intervals.

B+C2:

• is based on a defined product type,
• requires the manufacturer to maintain conformity to type continuously,
• includes random third-party product checks,
• makes product and batch traceability important.

Safety Component Module B+E

The Annex IV-A type-examination is followed by Annex VI product quality assurance. The manufacturer operates an approved quality system for the final inspection and testing of the safety components.

The quality system includes:

• type certificate and product revision control,
• final inspection and test methods,
• acceptance criteria,
• personnel competence,
• measuring and test equipment,
• product, series and batch traceability,
• nonconformity and corrective action,
• retention of records.

The notified body audits and monitors the system.

Although B+E for safety components carries the same name as B+E for completed lifts, it follows different annexes with different responsibilities.

Safety Component Module H

Module H under Annex VII is based on the safety component manufacturer’s full quality assurance system. The system covers design, manufacture, final product inspection and testing, and is assessed and monitored by the notified body.

Module H may be considered for manufacturers that:

• can manage different or evolving product designs within the system,
• have a design verification structure in place,
• manage production and quality control processes in an integrated way,
• can assess technical changes in a recorded manner.

Module H1 for completed lifts is based on Annex XI. A Module H certificate for a safety component does not replace the installer’s H1 conformity assessment.

Safety Component Technical File

Depending on the product and the route chosen, the file generally contains:

• a description of the safety component and its intended use,
• design and manufacturing drawings,
• the operating principle and safety function,
• an assessment of the essential health and safety requirements,
• the harmonised standards applied,
• calculations and design verification results,
• type tests and test reports,
• information on materials and critical parts,
• marking, labels and instructions for use,
• production, final inspection and traceability records.

The file must show that the product, when correctly installed in a lift, enables the relevant safety requirements to be met.

Certification Process

1. Product scope

We determine whether the product falls under Annex III, which safety function it performs and the boundaries of the product family.

2. Module selection

The options of type-examination plus random checking, type-examination plus product quality assurance, or full quality assurance are compared according to the production structure.

3. Technical file and specimen

The file is completed; for routes requiring type-examination, a representative specimen and a test plan are prepared.

4. Notified body assessment

The notified body carries out the activities required by the chosen module, such as technical review, testing, quality system audit or random checks.

5. Nonconformities and decision

Findings are closed. The conformity decision and the certificate are issued only by a notified body authorised for the relevant scope.

6. Placing on the market and surveillance

The manufacturer draws up the EU declaration of conformity and affixes the CE marking and, where required by the legislation, the notified body’s number. Quality system and surveillance obligations and the reporting of changes continue.

Responsibilities of the Safety Component Manufacturer and the Lift Installer

A certificate of conformity for a safety component does not remove the installer’s responsibility for the whole system. The installer must verify:

• that the product suits the lift design,
• that the certificate matches the product model and revision,
• correct installation and adjustment,
• the type/module scope of the lift,
• system-level tests and inspections.

The manufacturer, in turn, fulfils the design, production, conformity, marking and traceability obligations for the component.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is every lift part a safety component?

No. The products considered “safety components” under the directive are listed exhaustively in Annex III. Other parts must also be safe, but their conformity route and type of certificate may be different.

What is the difference between an H certificate and an H1 certificate?

H applies to the safety component manufacturer under Annex VII; H1 applies to completed lifts and the lift installer under Annex XI.

If the component has a CE certificate, is the lift automatically compliant?

No. The component’s certificate only covers the relevant product. The design, installation and system integration of the complete lift and the chosen conformity route are assessed separately.

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.