MH Type Gantry Crane Achieves CE Certification for EU Market Access
MH Type Gantry Crane Achieves CE Certification, Gaining EU Market Access. The MH type gantry crane has obtained CE certification from the European Union, securing market entry clearance for the European market. The certification was issued by an EU-notified body following full type testing and factory production quality assurance audits, covering the complete product range from 5t to 50t.
CE certification is a mandatory legal requirement for overhead cranes entering the EU market. Kelude Heavy Industry has officially obtained the CE certificate for its MH type gantry crane, covering nine models from MH5t to MH50t. The certification was carried out by TÜV Rheinland, which performed full type testing and factory production quality assurance audits. The products passed all three core assessment dimensions on the first attempt: structural strength calculation, safety protection device testing, and electrical safety verification.
CE Certification Framework and Applicable Directives for Overhead Cranes
Overhead cranes exported to the EU must comply with three CE directives: the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU. The Machinery Directive is the most critical assessment framework, requiring cranes to meet the EN 13001 series of crane design standards and the EN 15011:2020 product safety standard for bridge and gantry cranes across design, manufacturing, and installation. The EN 13001 series comprises four parts — EN 13001-1 (general principles), EN 13001-2 (load effects), EN 13001-3-1 (steel structure design), and EN 13001-3-3 (crane rails) — which together set detailed technical requirements for structural strength calculation, fatigue assessment, and safety factors.
Certification Process and Key Technical Requirements
The certification process was carried out in three stages: technical documentation review, factory audit, and type testing. During the documentation review, complete structural calculations were performed for two representative models — the MH20t-30m and MH32t-35m — including overall stability verification and fatigue life assessment.
In the factory audit stage, TÜV Rheinland auditors focused on verifying the actual operation of the ISO 3834-2 welding quality management system. They cross-checked welder qualification certificates, welding procedure qualification records (WPQR), and welding inspection records, and verified the completeness of calibration records for welding equipment. The audit concluded that the welding quality management system operates effectively, and the ISO 3834-2 certification was accepted as direct evidence of welding quality assurance.
The type testing stage involved three test procedures conducted at the test site: a rated load test (100% SWL) and a 1.25× static load test on the MH20t-30m gantry crane, a 1.1× dynamic load test on the same MH20t-30m unit, and a rated load test (100% SWL) plus 1.25× static load test on the MH32t-35m gantry crane.
Certified Product Range and Technical Features
The CE certification covers the full range of MH type single-girder gantry cranes across nine models: MH5t, MH10t, MH16t, MH20t, MH25t, MH32t, MH40t, MH45t, and MH50t, with spans from 18 to 42 m and lifting heights from 6 to 18 m. The hoisting mechanism uses an electric hoist for the main lift and a hand chain hoist for the auxiliary lift (standard on MH32t and above). Both the crane bridge and trolley travel mechanisms are driven by geared motor units (three-in-one) from SEW-Eurodrive or equivalent brands.
Three European customers have already submitted formal inquiries — one each from Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland — with interest concentrated in the MH20t to MH32t range for material handling applications in steel storage facilities and heavy machinery workshops. The first export prototype is scheduled for delivery to the German customer within this year.
International Market Expansion Strategy
Building on the CE certification of the MH type gantry crane, the company has mapped out its next steps for export certification: completing CE and EAC certification (Eurasian Economic Union, covering Russia and Central Asian markets) for the QD type overhead crane by 2027, followed by UKCA certification under ISO 3834-2 (UK market) and AS/NZS 1418 certification (Australian market) by 2028.
Export models will come standard with a multilingual user interface (selectable among English, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish), European-standard safety configurations (maintenance platforms and access system safety door locks per EN 81-41:2020), and European-standard electrical systems (400V/50Hz, three-phase five-wire), ensuring seamless integration with target market infrastructure.
FAQ
Q: Can CE certification be applied for simultaneously with other export certifications such as EAC or UL?
A: Yes, and these certification schemes share a high degree of commonality in their technical documentation requirements. The technical file prepared for CE certification (structural calculation report, risk assessment report, and operation manual) can be used directly as the foundation for EAC certification, with only EAC-specific requirements needing to be added, such as GOST standard gap analysis and Russian-language technical documentation. We recommend proceeding in a "CE first, then EAC" sequence, as the technical documentation prepared once can be reused across multiple certification applications.
Q: Does CE certification impose any brand requirements on electrical control components for overhead cranes?
A: CE certification does not mandate specific brands, but it does require that all electrical components — circuit breakers, contactors, relays, variable frequency drives (VFDs), PLCs, sensors, and so on — bear the CE marking. Using CE-certified components from internationally recognized brands such as Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, or SICK reduces audit risk. For components from lesser-known brands, the corresponding CE Declaration of Conformity and type test reports must be provided. Additionally, the Low Voltage Directive requires that the electrical system design documentation and electrical schematics be signed off by a certified electrical engineer.
Q: Does obtaining CE certification automatically permit export to all EU member states?
Q: Is CE certification valid across all EU member states?
A: CE certification is mutually recognized across the 27 EU member states and the 3 European Economic Area (EEA) countries (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein). The overhead crane CE certificate is issued by an EU Notified Body and is valid throughout the EU without requiring additional country-by-country certification. It meets the CE certification requirements for structural safety levels and product safety standards as set forth in EN 13001-2:2021 and EN 15011:2020. Please note that following Brexit, the UKCA certification is a separate requirement — exports to the UK market must obtain UKCA certification independently.
Q: What are the CE certification requirements for packaging and accompanying documentation for overhead crane exports?
A: CE certification sets clear requirements for both packaging and accompanying documentation. Packaging must comply with the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC, which restricts hazardous substance concentrations in packaging materials, and must bear the CE marking. The accompanying documentation must include an Operation Manual in the official language of the destination country (e.g., German, French, Italian), an EC Declaration of Conformity (DoC), a Certificate of Conformity bearing the CE marking, and Installation & Commissioning guidelines.
