Publication of the new Lifts Regulations, due to be published to bring the recast Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU into force from 20 April, will be delayed until after the UK Referendum on EU membership. So transposition of the recast Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU will not take place until sometime after the Referendum; we will update members when we know more.
The following guidance to members on how to proceed in the meantime is based on advice from BIS, the government department responsible, and from UK Notified Bodies.
Lift installers or manufacturers of products (lifts or safety components) for supply outside the UK should proceed from 20 April as though Directive 2014/33 EU was implemented in UK law from that point. Lift installers or manufacturers of products for supply solely within the UK should also seek to be compliant with the requirements of the new Directive as if it was now implemented in UK law. We believe that the Notified Bodies will support this approach. So from 20 April, Declarations of Conformity would reference 2014/33/EU.
The only technical change in the recast Lifts Directive is the requirement to CE-mark devices to prevent unintended car movement (UCMP). New UCMP devices placed onto the market from 20 April should be CE marked as if being assessed under the recast Lifts Directive.
Since the Lifts Regulations 1997 will not be repealed until publication of new Lifts Regulations, there is an alternative for companies whose products are sold solely within the UK of continuing under the current regulations.
In relation to enforcement during this period, we expect UK market surveillance authorities will pursue only offences in relation to obligations which are covered by both the old and new directives.
Notified Bodies which have been notified to the Commission in advance of the new regime should be able to carry out conformity assessments and issue certificates to products in conformity with the new Directive.
Our advice is to discuss this urgently your Notified Body to agree your approach. As ever, we will try to answer any questions and will provide further updates as we learn more.