EU Work Equipment Directive 2009/104/EC (including work at height)
Minimum EU rules for the use of work equipment, including inspection and rules for temporary work at height such as ladders and scaffolds.
- 2requirementsin our own words
- 1edition Directive 2009/104/EC
- 27places where it is a duty of 30 assessed
- 18 Oct 2026last checkedat the sources below
Where it applies
It is a duty in 27 of 30 places, and 1 needs a closer read. The outcome holds under the conditions shown and says nothing about any one site.
| Where | Outcome | Basis | Conditions | Authority and route |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All 27 EU Member States | Applies | Required by law In force | None stated EU directive implemented in national law of every Member State. | Not stated |
| Norway | Needs review | Required by law Status not confirmed | None stated EEA relevance; Norwegian working environment law not checked. | Not stated |
| Switzerland, United Kingdom | Does not apply | Required by law In force | None stated EU directive; GB and CH have their own laws. | Not stated |
What it asks for
2 requirements, each in our own words with the evidence an assessor would expect and who on a site usually owns it. Read the clause itself on the scheme owner's page.
| Requirement | Evidence expected | Owner | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control temporary work at height with suitable equipment and rules. | Work-at-height procedure Policy, checked by document review | EHS | Continuous Governance, one site |
| Inspect work equipment as required. | Inspection records Record, checked by document review | EHS | Each certification cycle Inspection, one site |
Editions
Which text is in force, from when, and which one it replaced.
| Edition | Status | Published | In effect | Replaces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directive 2009/104/EC | Current | 3 Oct 2009 | Not stated | None named |
About the programme
- Scheme owner
- European Parliament and Council
- Assessed by
- The duty holder
- Scope
- work equipment and workplace
- Validity
- Continuous duty.
- Accreditation route
- none
- Regulator
- National labour inspectorates
- Official body
- European Parliament and Council
- Who asks for it
- Regulator, Insurer
- Where it is used
- EU27
Sources
Official bodies behind this page, each with the date we last read it.
- EUR-Lex (Official Journal of the EU)read 18 Oct 2026
Not legal advice. Confirm each duty against the text itself.