Product Compliance
As a major supplier of torque equipment, Norbar has ensured compliance for its products which fall within the scope of the relevant European directives/regulations.
The most common directives and regulations affecting Norbar products are listed below:
Machinery Safety (Directive 98/37/EC & 98/79/EC)
A ‘machine’ is defined as equipment in which at least one part moves relative to another under applied, non-manual, force. Norbar machines powered by pneumatic or electric are covered by this directive; most are CE marked except for those machines designed to be incorporated into a larger machine before use.
EMC (Directive 89/336/EEC, 92/31/EEC & 93/68/EEC)
EMC stands for “Electromagnetic compatibility” and covers almost all electrical / electronic equipment. Norbar has invested in its own EMC test laboratory to ensure timely development of new product and the continued compliance of existing items.
Low Voltage Equipment (Directive 73/23/EEC & 93/68/EEC)
This directive covers electrical safety issues on equipment using 50 to 1000 VAC or 75 to 1500 VDC, so covering most electrical / electronic products.
WEEE (Directive 2002/96/EC)
WEEE stands for “Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment”. The directive aims to increase reuse, recycling and recovery from these products, applicable products are identified by having a crossed out wheelie bin symbol on the case.
RoHS (Directive 2002/95/EC)
RoHS stands for “Restriction of Hazardous Substances” and is applicable to many electrical & electronic products from 1st July 2006. The six restricted substances are lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB (Polybrominated biphenyls) & PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers).
The scope of the RoHS directive does NOT cover “Category 9. Monitoring and control instruments”; so many Norbar products are exempt at present.
Although exempt Norbar has been looking at the implications of this directive since 2003, the main issue is the use of lead within the electronics. Compliant components & working practices have been used where possible.
CE marking (93/68/EEC)
The CE mark stands for “Conformité Européen” and is used to indicate compliance with the relevant European Directives (EMC, Low Voltage and Machinery Directive).
Summary of Norbar products affected by directives:
| Product |
Directive |
| |
Machinery safety |
EMC |
Low Voltage |
WEEE |
RoHS |
CE marked |
| Torque Wrench |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Hand Torque |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pneutorque (Stall) |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Pneutorque Remote |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Pneutorque (Shut off) |
|
|
|
|
Exempt |
|
| Calibration instruments |
|
|
|
|
Exempt |
|
| Transducer |
|
|
|
|
Exempt |
|
| Loader (Manual) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Loader (Powered) |
|
|
|
|
Exempt |
|
| Calibration beams |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| USM |
|
|
|
|
Exempt |
|
|
|
Needs to comply. |
|
|
Not needed to comply |
|
|
Issued with “Declaration of Incorporation”, not CE marked. When the product is incorporated into a finished machine, that machine will need to comply with Machinery safety and be CE marked. |
|
|
Needs to comply when connected as a system. |
REACH (EU Regulation 1907/2006)
Registration, Evaluation, Authorization of Chemicals
Norbar's Responsiblility and Distributors' Responsibilities
What is the REACH Regulation?
This regulation is intended to increase the safety of substances and preparations imported into or used within the EU: It requires importers and manufacturers to register information about chemicals with a new agency in Helsinki called the European Chemicals Agency (ECA). It also places requirements on companies such as Norbar who use substances in producing aritcles for sale, and on distributors, who are recipients of these articles.
The regulations are very complex and the exact duties of "Downstream Users" such as Norbar and Norbar's distributors are currently unclear.
For further information about the regulation, the following web site may be helpful:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/reach/reach_intro.htm
Responsibilities of Norbar:
As a "Downstream User" Norbar believes that the substances and preparations used in the production of our products have been or are being registered or pre-registered with the ECA by the relevant manufacturers or importers. We do not import more than 1 tonne of SVHC per annum.
We believe that production of our products does not create any new substances requiring registration by our company.
Our products do not intentionally release substances which would require registration by our company.
We have reviewed the articles that we produce and have not found the presence of substances and preparations "of very high concern" in amounts more than 0.1% by weight.
Responsibilities of Distributors in the EU:
As a "Downstream User", distributors should satisfy themselves that the articles and substances that they purchase have been registered. This bulletin is intended to assure distributors of Norbar product that the necessary registrations have been or will be in place once the uncertainties of the regulations are clarified.
If you have any questions on the REACH regulations, please contact Neill Brodey at Norbar. nbrodey@norbar.com
Please view Norbar's REACH Declaration.