Metric screws for CE compliance

Warhead · #1 (**permalink**) 13-06-2008, 18:39

I've had a complaint from a French distributor that the CE marked American machines I've sold him have come with, wait for it, American nuts and bolts.

As a full American toolkit is included, I don't think we're doing anything wrong. I'm certainly not going to ask my American supplier to get every machine redesigned to use metric bolts!

Any thoughts?

Kent Tiger · #2 (**permalink**) 13-06-2008, 21:46

If it's CE marked what are the standards being complied with? And do any of those standards contain a requirement to use metric threads?

I suspect not, and would imagine your distributor's complaint is simply practical: American threaded bolts are harder to obtain and are more expensive. In the UK they are reasonably available, maybe harder to get in France.

consultant · #3 (**permalink**) 13-06-2008, 23:41

If the item is CE marked (and it is kosher) all is OK. I am not up on my finer CE detail, which is also dependant on the specific regs, but I am sure the screw fittings size is not relevant to comply.

French commercial clients can be more difficult to please (that is not an anti French statement - even my French colleague says that!!!!).

Nick Dyer · #4 (**permalink**) 16-06-2008, 11:17

Isn't CE just a guideline?
I didn't realise it was enforceable in any way.

consultant · #5 (**permalink**) 16-06-2008, 11:25

In itself, it is not actually a standard.

CE indicates that the item meets (and, is ideally tested to) relevant EU regulations purtaining to thet item.

Warhead · #6 (**permalink**) 18-06-2008, 03:09

Thanks for all the replies, that's just as I suspected...he's French! Nice guy though, I have to add!

Cheers,

consultant · #7 (**permalink**) 18-06-2008, 09:01

if he continues to moan, ask him to indicate the specific part of which regulation it fails on

Warhead · #8 (**permalink**) 18-06-2008, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by consultant

if he continues to moan, ask him to indicate the specific part of which regulation it fails on

Nice one, thanks...

Warhead · #9 (**permalink**) 26-06-2008, 17:08

Hmm - this is his latest reply...

" If we don't supply metric, we will get problems with some customers and NF (french norm). Nf is as TUV in Germany, if you want to sell in France you have to be CE and NF and it is legal"

I don't know either NF or TUV - can anyone advise?

Thanks,

Martin-Subbynet · #10 (**permalink**) 28-06-2008, 14:21

Ok, my 2 pence... (Mind you, considering we have no idea what this machine is, it might be worthless)

If you want to carry on supplying people in the EU with American products you better start making sure you provide the means of installation or maintenence. Trust me, US equipment on a site is a pain the a$$ if its industrial in nature.

You can't argue this point with the distributer and doing so will do you no good, because mark my words you'll be on the list to be dropped if you don't make any allowances.

So, how much is a pack of nuts and bolts going to cost you? It doesn't have to be every nut and bolt but most certainly any to do with installation/maintenence parts (ie. Covers on the unit, replaceable items) should come with Metric nuts/bolts.

Your French customer is right... Whoever they will be installing this machine for won't be happy... My dads business won't even touch anything which isn't metric because the customers don't want it. Standardising is very important in engineering / manufacturing areas because down time = money!

Why won't you go to your supplier about this? One US toolkit in many cases just isn't going to hack it because it will be lost at some point... and one kit between however many maintenence engineers is also not practical.

You don't need to redesign the whole product to change the nuts/bolts, and I can't help thinking this wouldn't be the first time they have sold to the EU market, so if you asked, they might be able to supply.