The current technical requirements for lift trucks can be found in the EU Machinery Directive. Manufacturers of lift trucks ensure that the requirements of the Machinery Directive are met and CE mark the lift trucks.

Lift truck trucks placed on the market or put into service from 1996 onwards (and in some cases 1997) must carry CE marks.

Lift trucks that are not to be CE marked must instead fulfil the requirements of the Swedish Work Environment Authority's provisions and general guidelines (AFS 2023:11) Work equipment and personal protective equipment – safe use, Appendix 3. The requirements in the provisions apply to the majority of lift trucks placed on the market or put into service before 1996. Note that the requirements in the provisions may differ from the technical requirements for CE-marked lift trucks. This means that older lift trucks meeting the requirements in the appendix may have certain characteristics not found in CE-marked lift trucks.

The employer is responsible for ensuring that the lift truck is safe to use.

Regardless of how old a lift truck is, you as the employer are always responsible for ensuring that the lift truck is safe when used and meets the requirements that applied at the time it was placed on the market or put into service.

Always read the lift truck's user manual. If you have any questions about your lift truck and its safety features, please contact the lift truck manufacturer or your lift truck supplier for assistance.