[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/CE marking for agricultural machinery EUProduct guide # CE Marking for Agricultural and Forestry Machinery Agricultural machinery CE marking under the Machinery Directive covers implements, attachments, and self-propelled equipment — but complete tractors use vehicle type-approval under a separate EU regulation. The line between Machinery Directive scope and tractor type-approval is a common source of confusion for equipment manufacturers and importers. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fce-marking-for-agricultural-machinery) At a glance Applicable legislation 3 ROPS/FOPS requirement types 3 Key standards 6 ## Applicable legislation Machinery ### Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 / Directive 2006/42/EC Primary legislation for all agricultural and forestry machinery. Covers design safety, guarding, controls, stability, and marking. Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs) in Annex I apply. OND ### Outdoor Noise Directive 2000/14/EC Specific types of outdoor equipment including lawnmowers, pedestrian-controlled mowers, and grass trimmers have guaranteed sound power level limits. Manufacturers must declare measured and guaranteed sound power levels. EMCD ### EMC Directive 2014/30/EU Agricultural machinery with electrical/electronic systems — GPS guidance, precision farming electronics, hydraulic control systems — must meet EMC requirements to avoid interference with farm communication systems. ## Operator protective structures: ROPS, FOPS, OPS ### ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structure) Required for tractors to protect the operator in case of rollover. Testing to EN ISO 11684-series (safety signs and pictograms). ROPS must be type-tested per OECD Code 3, 4, or 6 — or equivalent national approval. EU type-approval under Regulation (EU) 167/2013 covers tractors sold as complete vehicles separately from component CE marking. ### FOPS (Falling Object Protective Structure) Required for forestry machines and earthmoving equipment where falling objects (tree sections, debris) pose a risk. Testing per ISO 8083 or ISO 3449 depending on equipment type. FOPS level I (low energy falling objects) or level II (high energy falling objects) must be specified. ### OPS (Operator Protection Structure) Required for self-propelled machines where the operator may be hit by lateral objects or the machine may tip sideways. Applicable to some specialised agricultural equipment including grape harvesters and orchard tractors. ## Key harmonised standards EN ISO 4254-1 Agricultural machinery — safety — general requirements (Machinery Directive harmonised standard) EN ISO 4254-7 Agricultural machinery — safety — combine harvesters, forage harvesters, and cotton harvesters EN ISO 11684-1 Tractors, machinery for agriculture and forestry — safety signs and hazard pictograms EN 13857 Safety of machinery — safety distances to prevent hazard zones from being reached by upper and lower limbs EN ISO 5349-1 Mechanical vibration — measurement and evaluation of human exposure to hand-transmitted vibration EN ISO 2631-1 Mechanical vibration and shock — evaluation of human exposure to whole-body vibration ## Frequently asked questions ### Does Machinery Directive CE marking apply to agricultural tractors? Tractors sold as complete vehicles are type-approved under Regulation (EU) 167/2013 (replacing Directive 2003/37/EC) — not CE marked under the Machinery Directive. However, implements and attachments connected to the tractor (ploughs, sprayers, balers, mowers) are subject to the Machinery Directive/Regulation. PTO-driven implements, mounted equipment, and towed implements all need their own CE assessment. ### What vibration declaration is required for agricultural machinery operators? The Machinery Directive requires manufacturers to declare hand-arm vibration (HAV) values per EN ISO 5349 for hand-held and hand-guided machines (chainsaws, brush cutters, vibrating hand tools). Whole-body vibration (WBV) values per EN ISO 2631 are required for ride-on equipment. The declaration must state the actual emission value and whether it was measured or determined by comparison with similar machinery. Operators use these values to calculate daily exposure under the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive 2002/44/EC. ### Are PTO (power take-off) guards subject to CE marking? Yes. PTO drive shafts and PTO guards are covered as individual components under the Machinery Directive. PTO guards and drive shaft guards are 'interchangeable equipment' that are themselves machines if placed on the market separately. They need their own CE marking. Tractor manufacturers also have specific EHSR requirements for PTO shaft protection in Annex I of the Machinery Directive. ### Do handheld agricultural tools like brush cutters need CE marking? Yes. Handheld outdoor power equipment — chainsaws, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, blowers — must be CE marked under the Machinery Directive. They are also subject to Outdoor Noise Directive requirements where applicable. Chainsaws additionally require kickback energy testing and anti-vibration system declarations. Handheld equipment sold for professional agricultural use must carry CE marking and be accompanied by an instruction manual in all required EU languages for the intended market. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. Agricultural machinery CE marking requires specialist knowledge of Machinery Directive EHSRs, agricultural safety standards, and ROPS/FOPS test codes. Consult a qualified machinery safety engineer for your specific equipment. 🇪🇺 CE Marking roadmap for machinery Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take machinery through 🇪🇺 CE Marking compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. 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