Why is CE-Certified Crane Important? Legal Obligations in Türkiye

Why is the CE Certificate Important?

• Workplace Safety and User Protection: The CE mark is proof that the crane meets essential safety requirements such as electrical safety, mechanical durability, and operator health. Systems possessing this certificate have passed necessary tests to minimize the risk of accidents.
• International Trade and Market Access: The CE certificate demonstrates that the product complies with European Union (EU) standards. Without this certificate, it is impossible for crane systems to be sold or placed on the market in EU countries.
• Corporate Reputation and Competitive Advantage: Companies possessing the CE mark prove that they prioritize quality and safety, providing an advantage over competitors in the international market.
• Financial and Legal Security: The use of uncertified cranes can lead to serious financial risks, legal pursuits, and financial losses following workplace accidents for businesses.

Legal Obligations in Türkiye

• Customs Union and Compliance: Within the scope of the Customs Union Agreement, which entered into force in 1995, Türkiye has transposed EU technical legislation into its national law. For this reason, the CE mark is a legal requirement in Türkiye for machinery and lifting equipment as well.
• Machinery Directive: Cranes are evaluated under the Machinery Directive numbered 2006/42/EC. This directive mandates that lifting equipment must be compliant with essential health and safety standards.
• Inspection Mechanisms: Products placed on the market in Türkiye are inspected by the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and the TSE (Turkish Standards Institution). Products that do not have a CE mark or are determined to be non-compliant can be recalled from the market, and fines can be imposed on the manufacturers.
• Periodic Controls: In addition to the CE certificate, the main legal foundation regarding the use of cranes in Türkiye is the "Regulation on Health and Safety Conditions in the Use of Work Equipment". This regulation mandates that cranes be inspected periodically by authorized and certified persons.