Small goods lifts are lifting appliances governed by the current European Machinery Directive in conjunction with the harmonised European Standard for small goods lifts, EN 81-30. Consequently, a small goods lift is, by definition, a machine and not a ‘lift’, as the Lifts Directive does not apply in this context.
EN 81-30 limits small goods lifts to the following values:
- Footprint: 1 m²
- Car depth: 1.0 m
- Car height: 1.2 m
- Load capacity: 300 kg
Due to these relatively low figures, the cabin is classified as ‘not accessible’ and does not need to be fitted with a safety catch.
There are no restrictions on travel speed, lift height or the number of stops.