Our goal is to create a logically structured and legally compliant operating manual based on the risk-hazard analysis that is understandable for the European user. The objective is to minimize our clients’ product liability risk for the European market as far as possible, and so an operating manual must meet minimum standards.

According to Annex I of the EU Machinery Directive, the operating manual is an integral part of the product and must be enclosed with the product in both the original text issued by the manufacturer and in the national language of a user’s country. Furthermore, the content must meet minimum standards so that security gaps and misunderstandings can be avoided. In place of the often used collective term “operating instructions”, the term “operating manual” is used for capital goods; for consumer or durable goods, the term “instruction manual” is used.

In every case, these instructions must provide users with the information required for the safe operation of the product. For the European market, it is very important to distinguish what group of people the content targets.
If the manuals contain too little or too much content or content that is obsolete for Europeans (self-evident facts are described in unnecessary detail), it will be difficult for the recipient to read, with incalculable risks related to product liability.

EAC’s technical editors are well-versed in the requirements of the EU Machinery Directive and the applicable European standards. Manuals are designed, written, and tested to ensure their compliance with all European specifications.

Operating manuals must comply with the following standards:

• EN 82079: Preparation of instructions for use: Structuring, content, and presentation
• EN ISO 20607: Safety of machinery/Instruction handbook/General drafting principles
• EN ISO 7010: Graphical symbols/Safety colors and safety signs/Registered safety signs
• DIN 5008: Writing and layout rules for word processing (especially for Germany)
• Product-specific EU standards, designated as so-called C standards in the European Official Gazette.