Harmonised Standards of machinery are divided into three categories: A, B and C.

Basic standards (type A). These basic standards contain general principles for safe design and may be applied to products when appropriate. The main A Harmonised Standard for the Machinery Directive is the EN 12100. Design Concepts and Risk Assessment. 

Generic standards (type B). For safety, the type B standards concern specific technical aspects and are applied as needed, such as for specific components or guarding. For machinery the B standards are further divided into Bl and B2 standards. EN 60204 is the well knwon B Type standart of 2006/42/EC Machinery.

B1 Standards. These apply to particular aspects, such as surface temperatures and safety distances. Some B1 examples are EN 13849-1 (Safety Related Control Systems), and EN 60204-1 (Electrical Requirements of Machinery).
B2 Standards. These apply to particular safety devices or device such as EN 13850 (Emergency Stop Systems). 

Product standards (type C). Type C standards specify a specific product or range of equipment. The type C standards take precedence over the basics and generics and call up the mixing of A and B standards, when necessary. Examples of Type C standards are EN 11111 series for Textile Machineries or EN 280 for high areial platforms.

TESTPLUS gives service for all test and inspection according to the harmonised standarts of 2006/42/EC Machinery Directive as a third party.