Directive on cableways for passenger transport

Directive on cable ways for passenger transport

Regulation (EU) 2016/424 regulates cable ways in the European Economic Area and entered into force on 9 March 2016. It sets standards for the construction, approval and safety regulations for new and existing rope ways. The CE marking certifies compliance with European standards for cable ways and requires various conformity assessment procedures before it can be applied. Cable car dealers must ensure that the products are CE marked and comply with the applicable regulations. In the event of non-compliance, they must take measures and inform authorities about hazards.

Find out here what the requirements of the EU Directive 2011/65/EU are and how this can influence the CE marking of your product.

The experts at easyCE will be happy to assist you in placing your product on the market in the EEA and in assessing special cases. We support you with CE, UKCA and other markings.

Frequently asked questions

Q&A

Which directive applies to cable cars?

Regulation (EU) 2016/424 on cable ways, which repealed Directive 2000/9/EC, entered into force on 9 March 2016. The regulation regulates the EEA market and the traffic of subsystems and safety components for new rope ways. It includes regulations for the design, construction and commissioning of passenger rope ways as well as changes that require a new permit.

show more
hide content

What is a cable car?

A cable car is a complete system designed, built and put into operation for the purpose of passenger transport. Cable cars transport passengers using ropes that run along routes.

show more
hide content

What is a drag lift?

T-bar lifts within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2016/424 are cable cars that, with the appropriate equipment, pull people along a prepared route.

show more
hide content

What is "commissioning"?

The commissioning is the first use of a cable car, which fulfills the explicit purpose of transporting people.

show more
hide content

Who is a manufacturer of cable cars?

The manufacturer is any natural or legal person who produces a subsystem or safety component. design or manufacture and market this subsystem or safety component under its own name or brand or install it in a cable car.

show more
hide content

Who is responsible for the approval of cable car facilities?

Each Member State shall establish authorisation procedures for the construction and commissioning of cable ways in its territory. The manufacturer must submit documents such as the safety report and the EU declaration of conformity to the competent authority or body.

show more
hide content

What must Member States ensure before a cable car is approved?

Member States must ensure that the safety analysis, safety report and related technical documentation are submitted. They should relate to the characteristics of the Appendix and, where appropriate, any documentation certifying the conformity of the safety components and subsystems listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2016/424/EU. In addition, documents must be available specifying the required operating conditions; they should include operating restrictions, complete information on monitoring the operation, as well as setting and maintenance.

show more
hide content

What technical documentation is required under Regulation (EU) 2016/424?

The technical documentation requirements for the various conformity assessment procedures (modules) are set out in Annex VIII to the Regulation. They contain at least the following elements:

  • a general description of the subsystem or safety component
  • designs, manufacturing drawings and plans of components, subassemblies, circuits, etc. and descriptions and explanations necessary to understand the above drawings and plans and the functioning of the subsystem or safety component
  • the additional evidence for an appropriate solution to the design, including the results of the design calculations, studies and tests carried out by or for the manufacturer, and the related reports
  • a copy of the instructions for the subsystem or safety component
  • for subsystems, one copy of each of the EU declarations of conformity for the safety components used in the subsystem.
show more
hide content

What are safety components of cable cars?

Safety components are components or devices that are installed in cable cars or their subsystems to fulfil a safety function. Their failure or malfunction endangers the safety or health of passengers, operating personnel or third parties.

show more
hide content

What is the CE marking for cable cars?

The CE marking indicates that a product complies with European legislation on health, safety and environmental compatibility. It helps to facilitate free trade in the European Economic Area. Regardless of the origin of the products, manufacturers or importers must demonstrate the conformity of the goods to be sold.Regulation (EU) 2016/424 lays down these requirements for cable ways, their subsystems and safety components. The Regulation provides various conformity assessment procedures (modules) to verify their compliance. Once these have been completed, the manufacturer applies the CE mark.

show more
hide content

Where should the CE marking be applied?

The CE marking must be clearly visible on each safety component; where this is not directly possible, the CE mark must be affixed to the packaging and accompanying documents.

show more
hide content

What if the CE mark is incorrectly affixed?

If Member States become aware that the CE marking has been incorrectly affixed, the manufacturer of the safety component or the company’s authorised representative must produce a new product or the previous product with the provisions for the CE markingHarmonize conformity labelling. It may also be used to end the infringement under the conditions laid down by the Member States. Legal consequences must also be expected.

show more
hide content

What are the general principles of CE marking?

The general principles laid down in Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 shall apply to the CE marking. The following are the general principles for CE marking:

  • The CE marking must be clearly visible, legible and permanently affixed to the subsystem or with the safety component on its type plate. If this is not possible or not guaranteed due to the nature of the subsystem or the safety component, it must be attached together with the packaging and the accompanying documents.
  • The CE marking may only be affixed by the manufacturer or his authorised representative.
  • CE marking should be marked with the identification number of the notified body controlling the production process.
  • The CE marking may be followed by other markings indicating a particular danger or use.
show more
hide content

How to obtain the CE marking for cable cars?

Before a subsystem or safety component of the cable way is placed on the market, the manufacturer shall subject the subsystem or safety component to a conformity assessment procedure in accordance with Article 18(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/424. The details of the various conformity assessment procedures (modules) for subsystems and safety components are set out in Annexes III to VII to the Regulation.

show more
hide content

Which conformity assessment procedures exist for subsystems and safety components of cable ways?

The conformity assessment procedures include:

  • Module B: EU type examination
  • Module D: Type conformity based on quality assurance of the production process
  • Module F: Design conformity based on a test of the subsystem or safety component
  • Module H: Compliance based on comprehensive quality assurance with design review
show more
hide content

What obligations do cable car dealers have?

Some of the commitments are:

  • Before making a subsystem or safety component available on the market, distributors shall verify that the subsystem or safety component is CE marked.
  • Distributors shall take due account of the applicable requirements of this Regulation when providing a subsystem or safety component on the market.
  • As long as a subsystem or safety component is under their responsibility, dealers shall ensure that that storage or transport conditions do not affect the conformity of the subsystem or safety component with the applicable essential requirements of Annex II.
  • Traders who consider or have reason to believe that a subsystem or safety component they provide on the market does not comply with this Regulation shall ensure that the necessary corrective measures are taken to establish the conformity of that subsystem or safety component or, where appropriate, to withdraw or recall it.
  • Distributors shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they have made the subsystem or safety component available on the market if there are any hazards associated with the subsystem or safety component providing detailed information, in particular on the non-compliance and the corrective actions taken.
  • Distributors shall, at their reasonable request, provide the competent national authority with all the information and documentation necessary to demonstrate the conformity of a subsystem or safety component.
show more
hide content

We help you with the CE marking
of your product