Technical information

1.2 Market control systems and Control bodies

The control structure in the European Union is carried through the Production

Ministry (or Industrial and Commerce Ministries) and from the local organisations

(in Italy, for example, the ASL or SPISAL Services of Prevention and Protection).

In EU countries, manufacturers have had to build machinery and/or components

observing the Directives in force in their specific sector,and referring to the

harmonised standards.

The Declaration of Conformity,issued by the manufacturer,and the CE conformity

mark, are proofs of compliance with the Directives and they are not subject to

verification by third bodies unless in particular cases (some categories of

dangerous machinery, lifting equipment, PED pressurised containers, etc.).

In Europe the intervention of authorities generally occurs after an accident, as a

preventive assessment or as a result of an external evidence signalling presumed

non conformity.

Procedures foreseen in the safeguard clauses of the relevant directives are

triggered after these controls.

Supervision in the United States market is in the hands, first,

of the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health

Administration) and the NIOSH (National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health).

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established both NIOSH and

OSHA. OSHA belongs to the Department of Labor and is in charge of developing

and enforcing safety and health standards in working environments by issuing

accurate regulations and standards. OSHA plays another extremely important role

in safety as it is the only organisation authorised to accredit a National

Recognised Testing Laboratory (NRTL), that is laboratories authorised to

certify component and material conformity according to standards in force.

On the other hand, NIOSH belongs to the Department of

Health and Human Services and it is an agency set up to

ensure adequate labour conditions, through research,

information and training of workers.

The local (county) supervision and checks are managed by the inspector with

jurisdiction known as AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction).

Here is a brief outline of the Canadian supervisory structure

derived from the mix between the American counties

(especially in the Western states) and the European

governmental structure.There are “municipalities” that

managed their own local territory, and on the other hand, there are the “agencies”

working within only one state (for instance, the Electrical Safety Authority,

ESA, in the state of Ontario).Afterwards each single Labour ministry accredits the

inspection bodies.

INTRODUCTION TO NORTH AMERICAN STANDARDS