SPEAC
Safe non-food consumer Products in the EU and China
Safe non-food consumer Products in the EU and China
This factsheet applies to electric motor-operated or magnetically driven hand-held tools, transportable tools and lawn and garden machinery including product categories such as drills, impact drills, saws, polishers, sanders, electric screw drivers, grinders, table saws, mitre saws, wall saws, bench grinders, grass shears, chain saws, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and others.
The tools are operated from AC mains with a rated voltage not more than 250 V AC for single phase tools and not more than 480 V AC for three-phase tools, or they may be operated on batteries. The rated input is not more than 3700 W.
This factsheet applies to tools and DIY equipment with a voltage rating up to 1.000 V AC or 1.500 V DC.
Appliances incorporating batteries are also covered by the factsheet.
NB: For this product category, EU law does not foresee mandatory certification.
A guide to the application of the Machinery directive is available here.
The most common risks identified in this product sector are set out below.
1. Electrical risks
2. Thermal risks:
3. Mechanical risks:
4. Optical risks
This is a list of examples of common risks. However, the manufacturer has to carry out an assessment of the tool or DIY equipment that covers all relevant risks that may be associated with the product and actions taken to mitigate these risks where possible. A general definition of risk and its relationship to hazards can be found in the factsheet on Risk management.
Specific examples of measures taken against dangerous tools and DIY equipment offered for sale in the European Union are available on the Safety Gate website. Type ‘tools’ or ‘DIY equipment’ into the free text search box (but without the quotation marks) and select the ‘electrical appliances and equipment’ Product Category to view notified examples. A better understanding of mistakes made in the safety assessment on the tool or DIY equipment or its manufacture can help avoid their repetition.
These products are governed mainly by the Low Voltage Directive (LVD). The Directive lays down the safety criteria that all tool or DIY equipment must meet before they can be marketed in the EU. Tools or DIY equipments must comply with the essential safety requirements set out in this Directive. More specific details can be found here.
Moreover, all electric products should comply with these two pieces of legislation:
If the product can communicate wirelessly (e.g. incorporates Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), it should meet the requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive. Electromagnetic immunity and disturbances for products incorporating a communications device are dealt with under this directive. The Radio Equipment Directive also handles electric safety for products inside as well as outside the voltage limits in the Low Voltage Directive.
If the product doesn’t employ radio communication and it operates on a voltage below the limits specified in the Low Voltage Directive, then the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) applies.
Please also check the factsheet for Power Supplies, Chargers and Adaptors for safety requirements for the external power supply.
“European standards” exist in the EU for tools and DIY equipment. Tools and DIY equipment complying with these standards are presumed to be in conformity with the essential safety requirements set out in the Low Voltage Directive if the standards are referenced in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
It is important to note that the latest edition of the standard referenced in the OJEU (including any amendments) applies.
Note: The following site of CEN CENELEC (the European standardisation organisation) provides links to the national standardisation bodies’ websites. In addition, the China Standards Information Services Network can be used to access European standards.
The following standards apply to tools and DIY equipment (and others may apply in specific circumstances):
EN 62841-series
The EN 62841 series of standards cover most types of tools and DIY equipment. It is a family of standards structured as follows:
Standards for some of the more common tool types include safety requirements for:
EN 60745-series
The standards in the EN 60745-series are being replaced with standards from the EN 62841-series, but a few of them are still applicable including in particular:
This standard has to be read in conjunction with the parent standard:
However, the standard series covers other safety issues and manufacturers are strongly advised to consult the whole standard.
EN 12100:2010
The standard describes basic principles of risk assessment and risk reduction and a methodology for achieving safety in the design of machinery.
The most recent and relevant harmonised version published on the OJEU should be applied to your product to ensure that it is provided with the presumption of conformity.
The following summarises some further key applicable laws:
The following are obligatory:
Safety warnings and instructions are obligatory for many types of tools and DIY equipment to draw attention of users to risks and how to avoid injury.
To ensure that manufacturers produce only safe tools or DIY equipment, there are also a range of general requirements to be fulfilled. These are explained in the following factsheets and need to be read in conjunction with this factsheet:
You may also visit the SPEAC ACADEMY to learn more about the EU Safety requirements.
The provided information was updated in 2026. Please note that some of the provided information could change during possible subsequent revisions of legislation, standards, and guidance documents. For any updates of official information on the EU product safety rules, please follow the Link to the webpage of the European Commission.
This document was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of SPEAC project and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
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