Test reports for machinery
Before a machine is placed on the market, the protective measures defined in the risk assessment must actually be tested, not just on paper. This guide explains the role test reports play in the CE process and how the test report module in CE-Copilot supports you in standards-compliant, audit-proof verification and validation.
What are test reports in the CE marking process?
In the risk assessment the manufacturer defines the protective measures it uses to reduce the hazards of its machine. Before the machine is placed on the market, however, these protective measures must be verified and validated. EN ISO 12100 requires this as the last step of the risk reduction process. A common mistake is that measures appear in the documents but were never actually tested.
Test reports close exactly this gap: they document the testing actually carried out on the machine. This includes electrical safety per EN 60204-1, safety functions per EN ISO 13849-1, the mechanical tests, hydraulics and pneumatics per EN ISO 4413/4414, noise emission per EN ISO 3744 and the concluding final acceptance.
Test reports are not an optional extra but part of the technical file under Annex VII of the Machinery Directive. Towards market surveillance and experts they prove that the protective measures defined in the risk assessment were demonstrably tested before placing on the market.
Verification and validation of protective measures
EN ISO 12100 explicitly names the verification and validation of protective measures as the last step of risk reduction. Verification means checking whether a protective measure has been implemented correctly; validation means checking whether it actually fulfils its purpose in real operation. Only when both pieces of evidence are available is the risk assessment loop closed.
In practice this means checking every defined measure on the finished machine and substantiating the result with concrete measured values, such as the protective conductor resistance, the system pressure or the measured sound level. A mere tick “done” is not enough: without a documented test it remains open whether the protective measure is merely planned or actually effective. The test report makes this evidence traceable and auditable.
The test report module in CE-Copilot
Below you will find the central features, each with its concrete advantage and the benefit for your daily work.
Machine profile filter for electrics, hydraulics, pneumatics, noise sources, lasers, hazardous substances and non-contact safeguards
You store your machine's profile once, and only the test items relevant to that machine are shown. A machine without hydraulics shows no hydraulic tests, a machine without a laser source no laser tests.
You work through a focused report tailored to your machine, without irrelevant items and without the risk of overlooking an applicable test.
Standards-guided test items in six sections per EN 60204-1, EN ISO 13849-1, EN ISO 4413/4414, EN ISO 3744 and EN ISO 12100
The test items are organised into six sections (electrical safety, safety functions, mechanical tests, hydraulics/pneumatics, noise emission and final acceptance), each assigned to the relevant standard.
You test along the harmonised standards instead of from memory and can show for every item which standard the test is based on.
Four-status system per item plus measured-value and date fields
Each test item receives one of four statuses (open / passed / failed / not applicable) and offers measured-value fields for the values actually measured, such as protective conductor resistance in Ω, system pressure in bar or sound level in dB(A), as well as date fields.
You document not only that a test was carried out, but also with what result and measured value. The common mistake of measures existing only “on paper” is visibly avoided.
Automatic, project-based saving as part of the technical file
All entries are saved automatically and per project. The report stays assigned to the machine and develops into an auditable, traceable acceptance report.
You obtain an auditable acceptance report as part of the technical file under Annex VII, without separate file storage and without data loss.
Document protective measures audit-proof now
Create standards-guided test reports per EN ISO 12100, with machine profile filter, measured-value fields and an auditable acceptance report as part of the technical file. Cancel monthly, no annual subscription.