Professional (non-professional) user Machinery Regulation 2023/1230.

The Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 contains an important definition of a ‘professional user’. This is a user who needs to be protected when using a machine or similar product.

A professional user is a person who uses a machine or related product in the course of their professional or work activities.

A non-professional user is a user who uses a product in some way, but not in a professional context. A non-professional user is not necessarily an inexperienced user. A professional user is not necessarily an expert. Professional users may be insufficiently qualified or almost unqualified.

Professional users work in a regulated environment. This affects how instructions should be provided to them and the content of those instructions. The employer has a significant responsibility for the safe use of its equipment by professional users. The operating instructions provided by the manufacturer are the information that the employer will use to train its employees.

If the product is intended for use by ‘non-professional users’, there will be no employer who could ensure its safe use. Therefore, the wording and design of the instructions for use for non-professional users must take into account the level of general knowledge and skills that can reasonably be expected from such operators.

If use by non-professional users is undesirable, this should be excluded by a clear indication in the instructions.

In the case of machinery or related products intended for non-professional users or which, under reasonably foreseeable conditions, may be used by non-professional users even if not intended for them, the manufacturer is obliged to provide in paper form the safety information necessary for the commissioning and safe use of the machinery or related products.

It is not possible to provide instructions for use similar to those provided to professional users. Regulation 2023/1230 sets restrictions on the provision of instructions in digital format to non-professional users. Therefore, it does not depend solely on the manufacturer's intentions. It is possible for equipment to be transferred from a professional target audience to a non-professional one.