The new EU lifts directive takes effect less than a year from now. If you’re buying or developing property, make sure it meets the new design standards, the Malta Lift Association points out.

Someone buying a sixth floor apartment would not be able to use a lift which doesn’t meet the new technical and safety standards.

Lift installers’ obligations and building design and construction are to change in line with the new EU directive 2014/33/EU and new standards (EN-81-20 and EN81-50) for lift design, installation and certification. The new lifts directive replaces CE/95/16, is aimed at harmonising lift safety laws across the EU and will come into effect on April 20, 2016.

All new buildings and new lift installations planned to be put to use by that date must be designed and built to meet the standards set by the new directive. Lifts that do not comply with the standards set by the new directive cannot be certified and will not be put to use.

Property buyers and developers should ensure that an apartment building’s design and lift installation meet the legal and technical requirements of the new directive, especially when a property is bought on plan.

In line with the new directive, lifts are defined as finished products only once they are permanently installed, registered, certified and put to use. This changes the game for lift suppliers, installers and their customers.

Under the new directive, an economic operator is responsible for the compliance of a lift and its safety components. Lift suppliers, installers and suppliers of lift components – defined as economic operators under the new directive – are obliged to ensure that the lifts and safety components they place on the market comply with the technical and safety standards of the new directive. This means that lift buyers should choose suppliers carefully.

Building plans should clearly show that the provisions for lift installation meet the safety and technical criteria defined by the new directive

For developers and home owners in particular, choosing a reliable installer is critical. Any new lift installation or upgraded lift must be formally inspected and certified before being put to use. Lifts that do not meet the standards in force at the time of inspection are uncertifiable and cannot be put to use.

Someone buying a sixth floor apartment would not be able to use a lift which doesn’t meet the new technical and safety standards. This is because the lift would fail the certification process.

As the new EU directive has not yet been transposed into Maltese law, the Malta Lift Association recommends that property buyers should get professional advice to ensure that the building design and lift installation meet the new legal and technical requirements. This is especially important when a property is bought on plan.

Building plans should clearly show that the provisions for the installation of a lift meet the safety and technical criteria defined by the new directive. As there is scope for change between the date of purchase and delivery of the finished property, the contract of purchase should provide appropriate protection for buyers.

The new standards, especially EN81-20, affect the building industry as they redefine headroom heights and pit depths. These standards take effect on August 6, 2017, the cut-off date for current standards.

All existing and new lift projects designed under current standards must be completed, certified and formally commissioned well ahead of this date, after which the new standards take effect.

Lift installation and upgrading projects due for completion after August 6, 2017 should be in line with the new standards. Building and lift installation projects that are likely to be delayed beyond this date should also be in line with the new standards to ensure that the lifts will be certifiable and can be put to use.

The Malta Lift Association is an industry association that provides information about lift safety requirements, CE certification and related concerns. Members of the association provide quality service and installation and reliable maintenance in line with statutory regulations and EU directives. The association is self-regulating. Suppliers who do not meet the required standards are not admitted to the association.

www.mla.org.mt