i  REPUBULIKA  Y’URWANDA  
REPUBLIC  OF RWANDA  
 
 
 
RWANDA  INSPECTORATE,  COMPETITION  AND  CONSUMER  
PROTECTION  AUTHORITY  
P.o Box:  375 Kigali -Rwanda,  
 
Safari Centre House located at  Plot Number 436 |  Kicukiro 
District  Email:  info@rica.gov.rw  Website:  
www.rica.gov.rw  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
November  2021  
REGULATION  N˚ DGO/REG/001  OF NOV./2021  
 
GOVERNING  AGRICULTURAL  MACHINERIES  
AND  EQUIPMENT  
ii   
 
iii  Preamble  
The Rwanda  Inspectorate  Competition  and Consumer  Protection  Authority;  
 
Pursuant  to the Law  N° 31/2017  of 25/07/2017  estab lishing  Rwanda  
Inspectorate,  Competition  and Consumer  Protection  Authority  (RICA)  
Pursuant  to law the Nº 36/2012  of 21/09/2012  relating  to competition  and consumer  
protection;  
Hereby  issues  the following  Regulation:  iv  Contents  
 
Chapter  1: GENERAL  PROVISION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  1 
Article  1: Citation  and commencement  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  1 
Article  2: Purpose  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  1 
Article  3: Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 1 
Article  4: Definitions  of Key  terms  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  1 
Article  5: General  requirement  for Registration  of agricultural  machinery  and equipment  .........  4 
Article  6: Specific  requirement  for Registration  of agricultural  machinery  and equipment  ...........  4 
Article  7: General  requirements  for Licensing  of business  operators  ................................ .........................  5 
Article  8: Specific  requirements for  Licensing  of business  operators  ................................ .........................  5 
Article  9: Transfer  of registration  certificates  and operational  License  ................................ ......................  5 
Article  10: Decision  on registration  and licensing  Applications  ................................ ................................ . 5 
Article  11: Decision  on Appeal  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 6 
Article  12: Validity  of registration  certificates  and operational  license  ................................ ...................  6 
Article  13: Suspending  a registration  certif icate  or License  ................................ ................................ ..........  6 
Article  14: Loss  of registration  certificate  or license  ................................ ................................ .........................  6 
Article  15: Surrendering  the operational  license  ................................ ................................ ................................  7 
Article  16: Registration  certificate  or license  revocation  ................................ ................................ .................  7 
Article  17: Effect  of Suspension  or Proh ibition  against supply  ................................ ................................ ... 7 
Chapter  2: GENERAL  REQUIREMENTS  ON THE  WORKING  ................................ ................................  8 
Article  18: Materials  and products  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  8 
Article  19: Lighting  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  8 
Article  20: Design  of machiner y to facilitate  its handling  ................................ ................................ ..............  8 
Article  21: Ergonomics  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  9 
Article  22: Operating  positions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 9 
Article  23: Seating  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  9 
Chapter  3: CONTROL  SYSTEM  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  10 
Article  24: Safety  and reliability  of control  systems  ................................ ................................ .......................  10 
Article  25: Control  devices  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  10 
Article  26: Starting  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........................  11 v 
 Article  27: Stopping  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  11 
Article  28: Assembly  of agricultural  machinery ................................ ................................ ...............................  11 
Article  29: Selection  of control  or operating  modes  ................................ ................................ ........................  11 
Article  30: Failure  of the energy  source  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  11 
Chapter  4: INFORMATION  AND MARKING  ................................ ................................ ................................  12 
Article  31: Information  and information  devices  ................................ ................................ .............................  12 
Article  32: Warning  devices  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 12 
Article  33: Warning  of residual  risks  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  12 
Article  34: Marking  of agricultural  machinery  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 12 
Chapter  5: AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY GUARDING AND  PROTECTION  AGAINST 
MECHANICAL  HAZARDS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  13 
Article  35: Risk  of loss of stability  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  13 
Article  36: Risk  of break -up during operation  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 13 
Article  37: Risks  due to falling  or ejected  objects  ................................ ................................ .............................  13 
Article  38: Risks  due to  surfaces,  edges  or angles  ................................ ................................ ...........................  13 
Article  39: Risks  related  to combined  agricultural  machineries  ................................ ...............................  13 
Article  40: Risks  related  to variations  in operating  condition s ................................ ................................ . 14 
Article  41: Risks  related  to moving  parts ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  14 
Article  42: Choice  of protection  against  risks  arising  from  moving  parts  ................................ ............  14 
Article  43: Moving  transmission  parts  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  14 
Article  44: Moving  parts  involved  in the process  ................................ ................................ ............................  14 
Article  45: Risks  of uncontrolled  movements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 14 
Article  46: General  requirements  for guards  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 15 
Article  47: Special  requirements  for guards  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 15 
Article  48: Adjustable  guards  restricting  access  ................................ ................................ ...............................  15 
Article  49: Special  requirements  for protective  devices  ................................ ................................ ................  15 
Article  50: Safety  cabs  and frames  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  16 
Article  51: Guarding  of operating  positions  on auxiliary  equipment  ................................ ....................  16 
Chapter  6: MACHINERY  GUARDING  AND  PROTECTION  AGAINST  ................................ ...........  17 
Article  52: Electricity  supply  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 17 
Article  53: Static  electricity  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  17 vi 
 Article  54: Energy  supply  other  than  electricity  ................................ ................................ ...............................  17 
Article  55: Errors  in fitting  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  17 
Article  56: Fire  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 17 
Article  57: Explosion  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  17 
Article  58: Noise  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  18 
Article  59: Vibration  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  18 
Article  60: Ionizing  and non-ionizing  radiation  arising  from  the agricultural  machinery  ..........  18 
Article  61: External  radiation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 18 
Article  62: Laser  radiation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  18 
Article  63: Emissions  of hazardous  materials  and substances ................................ ................................ ... 19 
Article  64: Risk  of being  trapped  in machinery  ................................ ................................ ................................  19 
Article 65: Risk  of slipping,  tripping  or falling  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 19 
Article  66: Lightning  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  19 
Article  67: Access  to operating  positions  and servicing  points  ................................ ................................ . 19 
Article  68: Isolation  of energy  sources  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  19 
Article  69: Worker  intervention  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  20 
Article  70: Cleaning  of internal  parts  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  20 
Chapter  9. FINAL  PROVISIONS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  21 
Article  71: Repealing  Provision  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  21 
Article  72: Disclaimer  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  21 
Article  73: Transition  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  21 
 
 1   
Chapter  1: GENERAL  PROVISION  
 
Article  1: Citation  and commencement  
This technical regulation will be cited as “technical regulation governing agricultural  
machineries and  equipment”  and shall  come  into force  after  approval.  
 
Article  2: Purpose  
The aim of this technical regulation is to assure th eir quality and safety to prevent 
any hazards  that can arise  from  operations  and use of Agricultural  machineries  and 
equipment  in normal  or faulty  conditions.  
 
Article  3: Scope  
This technical regulation shall apply to all agricultural machineries and equip ment 
and all agricultural  mechanization  business  operators  on the Rwanda  territory.  
The list of regulated agricultural machinery and equipment   and relevant standards shall  
be available  on the website  of the Regulatory  Authority.  It shall  be regularly  updated  
any time  when  the Regulatory  Authority  finds  it necessary.  
This  technical  regulation  does  not apply  to: 
 
a) Experimental  or prototype  agricultural  tractors  that have  been  constructed  or 
imported  for the purpose  of testing,  assessment,  development  or research;  and 
b) Industrial  tractors,  earthmoving  tractors  and purpose -built  forestry  tractors,  
 
Article  4: Definitions  of Key  terms  
For the purposes  of this technical  regulation  the following  terms  shall  mean:  
1. Agricultural tractor: Power -driven vehicle, either w heeled or track laying and  
whose function depends essentially on its tractive power, and that is specially  
designed to pull, push, carry or actuate certain implements, machineries or trailers  
intended  for use in agriculture;  
2. Authorized dealerships ; busines ses which have a franchise or ‘dealer 
agreement’  with a manufacturer. This agreement gives them the right to act as 
a primary seller  of the manufacturer’s  equipment  and authorized  
replacement  parts  and as a provider  of authorized  servicing  and repairs,  2  usually within  a defined  geographical  area;  
3. Business operators: including dealers, manufacturers, Importers and services  
providers  of agricultural  machineries  or equipment;  
4. Competent laboratory : an accredited or designated laboratory or any laboratory  
from  a recognized  institution;  
5. Conformity  assessment  body:  means  a body  that conducts  Conformity  
assessment  for regulated  machineries  and equipment;  
6. Custom  Hire  Services:  Custom  hiring  is a method  service  of performing  
agricultural  operations  or gaining  short -term control  of farm  machinery,  for 
performing  farm  operations.  Custom  services  may  be available  from  a 
neighbor,  a local dealer, or a business specializing in custom farming that 
performs all types  of field  agricultural  operations;  
7.  Drawbar  power:  power  available  at the drawbar  sustainable  over  a distance  of 
at least  20 meters;  
8. Drawbar:  boar at the rear of a tractor  to which  implements  are hitched  
9. Economical  life period:  refers  to the length  of time  an agricultural  machinery  
or equipment  is expected  to be useful to the owner;  
10. Equipment: means any goods other than parts which can be attached/added to or  
installed  on an agricultural  machinery  or self-propelled;  
11. Four -wheel  drive:  type  of four -wheel  tractor  where  power  is transmitted  to 
all wheels;  
12. Four -wheel  tractor: self-propelled,  wheeled  vehicle  having  two axles  designed  
to carry,  pull or propel  agricultural  implements  and machines;  
13. Guard:  A part of machinery  specifically  designed  to provide  protection  by 
means  of a physical  barrier;  
14. Hazard:  The inherent  potent ial to cause  injury  or damage  to people’s  health;  
15. Importer: Person who, for the purpose of use or selling, imports new or used  
agricultural machinery or equipment; tractors, imports new or used 
agricultural  tractors  into Rwanda;  
16. Incident: An unsafe occurre nce arising out of or in the course of work where no  
personal  injury  is caused;  3  17. Joint  ownership:  allows  more  than  one party  to share  the responsibility  for 
investment, repairs, and labor with someone else, and reduce ownership costs per  
hectare;  
18. License : a document  granted  by the Regulatory  Authority  under  which  a 
specific  business  operation  is provided  by an operator;  
19. Licensing:  a process  by which  licenses  are issued  by the Regulatory  Authority  
to allow  business  operators  to conduct  business  within  Rwanda n geographical  
jurisdiction,  upon  evaluation  of compliance  with  requirements  of specific  
predefined  skills;  
20. Machinery:  An assembly  fitted  with,  or intended  to be fitted  with,  a drive  
system  other than one using only directly applied human or animal effort,  
consisting of  linked parts or components, at least one of which moves, and 
which are joined  together  for a specific  application;  
21. Maintenance and servicing : preventive, periodic and predictive activities to  
prevent  premature  failure  and to maintain  good  functional  performance  of 
agricultural machinery, equipment. Workplace activities such as constructing,  
installing, setting up, testing, adjusting, inspecting, modifying, and 
maintaining  machinery  on a preventive,  periodic  and predictive  basis.  These  
activit ies include  lubrication, refueling,  replacement  of parts,  cleaning  or 
unjamming;  
22. Manufacturer: Person  or company  who  makes,  produces,  assembles,  alters,  
modifies  or converts  an agricultural  tractor  machinery  or equipment,  and 
"manufacture"  has a correspond ing meaning;  
23. Manufacturer’s  representative/Authorized  agent  means  any natural  or legal  
person  established  in the Union  who  is duly  appointed  by the manufacturer  to 
represent  the manufacturer  before  the approval  authority  or the market  
surveillance  authorit y and to act on the manufacturer’s  behalf  in matters  
covered  by this technical  regulation;  
24. Mechanization service Providers: Machinery or equipment owner who provides  
mechanization  hire related  services  to the farmers;  
25. Model: Manufacturer's description for  a series of agricultural  tractor  designs that  
do not differ  in respect  of body,  chassis  structure  or the number  of axles;  
26. Ownership:  method  of acquiring  long -term  control  of farm  machinery  services  
by a single  party.  By owning  a machine,  you control  its use and the quality  of its 
performance.  You provide the labor  to operate  it, and you assume  responsibility  
for repairs  and maintenance,  liquidation,  and obsolescence;  4  27. Protective device: A safeguard other than a guard which reduces risk, either alone  
or in conjunction  with  a guard;  
28. Registration : Process of documenting and maintaining records of agricultural  
machineries  and equipment  and machines  meeting  certain  minimum  
requirements;  
29.  Regulatory authority: Government department or other public authority with t he 
power  to issue  regulations,  orders  or other  instructions  having  the force  of law; 
30. Repair: restoring  a machine  to operative  condition  after  breakdown,  excessive  
wear,  or accidental  damage;  
31. Residual  risk:  the risk remaining  after  risk treatment;  
32. Risk asse ssment: The process of evaluating the risks to safety and health arising  
from  hazards  at work;  
33. Risk: A combination of the likelihood of an occurrence of a hazardous event 
and the severity  of injury  or damage  to health  of workers  and environment  
caused  by this event.  
 
Article  5: General  requirement  for Registration  of agricultural  machinery  and 
equipment  
Any  type  of agricultural  machinery  or equipment  to be put on the Rwandan  
territory  shall  have  to be registered  by the Regulatory  Authority.  
 
Article  6: Spec ific requirement  for Registration  of agricultural  machinery  and 
equipment  
While  applying  for registration,  the application  shall  be accompanied  by the following:  
 A duly  filled  application  form  signed  by an authorized  representative;  
 Proof  of payment  of an application  fee; 
 Performance  Test report  issued  by a competent  laboratory;  
 Conformity  assessment  certificate  issued  by a designated  conformity  
assessment  body;  
 A copy of  agricultural  Machinery  Installation  and user  manual;  
 Proof that the economic life of a n agricultural machinery is not less than 60% of  
international  norms  before  it is put on the Rwandan  market  at the date  of the 
application;  5  Article  7: General  requirements  for Licensing  of business  operators  
Any Business operator who wishes to manufacture , import, wholesale or distribute 
or become the manufacture’s dealer of any of the regulated agricultural machinery 
and equipment and put them on the Rwanda market shall be licensed by the 
Regulatory  Authority.  
 
Article  8: Specific  requirements for  Licensi ng of business  operators  
 The Business  operator  shall  have  a traceable  address  in Rwanda  and be 
registered  by the Competent  Authority;  
 A duly  filled  application  form  signed  by an authorized  representative;  
 Proof  of payment  of application  fee(s);  
 The Busines s operator shall have well  equipped  
workshops/warehouses/stores/shops or any other facilities that are 
needed in  their  businesses  and shall  be installed  in a way  that assures  
health  and environmental safety of employees and neighborhood as well 
as protecti on of  product  safety;  
 Business operator or their employees shall have all required skills in 
operations  and maintenance  of agricultural  machineries  or equipment  
justifiable  by relevant  qualification  documents  and contract  agreements;  
 Business operator(s) s hall be able to offer after sale services to their clients or 
have  an agreement  with  a third  party  that offers  those  services.  
 
Article  9: Transfer  of registration  certificates  and operational  License  
 Operational  license  issued  by a Regulatory  Authority  is non-transferable.  
 When  a registration  certificate  holder  wants  to transfer  his/her  registered  
agricultural machinery or equipment, he/she shall have to apply for 
transfer of  registration to the Regulatory Authority twenty -one (21) calendar 
days before the  transfer. Once registration transfer is approved by the 
Regulatory Authority, the  original registration holder loses his/her 
ownership on the registered agricultural  machinery  or equipment.  
 
Article  10: Decision  on registration  and licensing  Applications  
 Regulatory Authority after reviewing the application documents shall declare 
the decision  in not more  than  30 calendar  days  after  application  reception  if 
not delayed  by the resubmission  of missing  documents.  
 A successful outcome of the assessment will res ult in the Regulatory 
Authority  issuing  an operational license  or registration  certificate.  6   Unsuccessful outcome will result in the Regulatory Authority issuing a 
letter containing the reason of rejection.  
 
Article  11: Decision  on Appeal  
 If the applicatio n for registration or licensing is rejected or has been 
approved with conditions that the applicant is not satisfied with, the 
applicant shall send an appeal letter addressed to the head of the 
institution with clear reasons for their appeal.  
 The head of i nstitution after reviewing the appeal case shall reply to the 
applicant in not more than 7 working days whether the appeal is 
accepted or rejected. Once the applicant does not get the reply in 7 
working days or is not satisfied with the new decision, the a pplicant 
may reapply to the Appeal Committee or the Line Ministry.  
 
Article  12: Validity  of registration  certificates  and operational  license  
 Registration certificate and operational license are valid for three (3) 
years that are renewable.  
 Expiration of a n operational license of a business operator automatically 
makes the certificates of registration issued to that business operator 
invalid.  
 Application for registration or licensing renewal is done at least ninety 
(90) calendar days before expiration of th e issued certificate or license.  
 
Article  13: Suspending  a registration  certificate  or License  
Any business operator whose certificate or license has been suspended due to 
some  noncompliance  shall  send  to the Regulatory  Authority  in writing  the 
corrective  measure  put in place  in not more  than  fourteen  (14) calendar  days.  
The Regulatory Authority shall respond to the notification in not more than thirty 
(30) calendar  days  from  the day of notification.  
 
Article  14: Loss  of registration  certificate  or license  
The certificate or license holder shall notify the regulatory authority about the loss of 
a license or certificate and request for the duplicate within 15 calendar days following 
the day the certificate  or license  has been  lost. 
The application for duplica te shall include the application letter addressed to the 
Director  General  of the Regulatory  Authority  and it must  be accompanied  by the 
certificate  of loss provided  by the Competent  Authority.  7  The request for duplicate of the certificate or license shall be subject to the payment of the  
full license  or certificate  fee. 
The conditions  for the duplicate  of the license  or certificate  remain  the same  as the 
original  certificate  or license.  
 
Article  15: Surrendering  the operational  license  
A business  operator  or licensee  who  wishes  to stop  supplying,  distributing,  
manufacturing or importing any of the registered agricultural  machinery and equipment  
shall notify the Regulatory  Authority  three  (3) months before  ceasing  the activities.  
Notifications that are done after expiration of the i ssued license shall have to pay a 
late renewal  penalty.  
 
Article  16: Registration  certificate  or license  revocation  
The Regulatory  Authority  may  revoke  the registration  certificate  or license  before  the 
expiration of its term when it  determines  that revoca tion is needed in  order  to respond  
to: 
 
- Submission  of false  or deliberately  misleading  data  or information  to the 
Regulatory  Authority  during  registration/licensing  or in response  to field  
verifications  or in response  to Regulatory  Authority’s  inspection  or audit  
requirements;  
- Contradicting with Law Nº 36/2012 of 21/09/2012 relating to competition and  
consumer  protection  or any other  laws,  orders,  regulations  or guidelines  in 
force;  
- The license or certificate holder failure to provide timely access to the r egulatory  
authority  or inspection  of the holder  facilities  and corporate  records;  
- Failure  to renew  the registration;  
- Failure  to comply  with  minimum  requirements.  
 
Article  17: Effect  of Suspension  or Prohibition  against supply  
When  the supply  of any of the registered  agricultural  machinery  or equipment  is 
suspended  or prohibited,  the machinery  or equipment  registration  is immediately  
cancelled and the business operator is requested to effect the call of suspended or  
prohibited  machineries,  equipment  or parts . 
Failure  to comply  with  the recall  instructions,  the business  operator  shall  be guilty  of 
an offence on conviction to a fine as specified in the Law No 36/2012 of 21/09/2012 
relating  to competition  and consumer  protection  or any other.  8  Chapter  2: GENERAL  REQUIREMENTS  ON THE  WORKING  
ENVIRONMENT  
 
Article  18: Materials  and products  
Manufacturers and designers of agricultural machineries shall take measures to 
ensure  that materials used to construct agricultural machineries, and products used 
or created  durin g its use, do not endanger safety or health of people and animals and 
are designed  in a way that prevents risks from falling, use, recovery and draining 
where fluids are  used.  
 
Article  19: Lighting  
Adequate  and suitable  lighting  of agricultural  machinery  shall be provided  for the 
operation of machinery so that machinery movements, controls and displays can 
easily  be seen  from  a distance.  
Artificial lighting shall not produce glare or disturbing shadows and internal parts  
requiring  inspection  and adjustment,  as well  as the maintenance  areas,  shall  be 
provided  with  appropriate  lighting.  
 
Article  20: Design  of machinery  to facilitate  its handling  
Agricultural  machinery  and each  component  part  thereof  shall:  
 be capable  of being  handled  and transported  safely;  and 
 be designed  and packaged  so that it can be stored  safely  and protected  
from  damage.  
Where  the weight,  size or shape  of machinery  or its various  component  parts  
prevent  them  from  being moved by hand, the machinery or  each  component part 
shall:  
 be fitted w ith attachments for lifting gear; or  
 be designed so that it can be fitted with such attachments; or  
 be shaped in such a way that standard lifting gear can easily be attached.  
Where agricultural machinery, or any of its component parts, is to be moved by 
hand, it  shall  be either:  
 easily movable; or  
 equipped for picking up and moving safely  9  Article  21: Ergonomics  
Designers and manufacturers shall take into account ergonomic principles to 
produce  agricultural machinery that reduce to the minimum possible disc omfort, 
fatigue, physical  and psychological  stress  that may  be faced  by the operator.  
 
Article  22: Operating  positions  
The operating  position  shall  be designed  and constructed  in such  a way  as to prevent  
any risk. If the agricultural machinery is intended to be used in a hazardous 
environment  adequate  means  shall  be provided  to ensure  that the operator  has good  
working  conditions and  is protected  against  any foreseeable  hazards.  
The exit shall allow rapid evacuation and, where applicable, an emergency exit shall 
be provided  in a direction which  is different  from  the usual  exit 
 
Article  23: Seating  
Operators’  seats  shall  enable  them  to maintain  a stable  position,  and the operators  
shall  be able to adjust  their  seats  and their  distance  from  the control  devices . 
If the machinery  is subject  to vibration,  the seat shall  be designed  and constructed  in 
such  a way as to reduce the vibration transmitted to the operator to the lowest level that 
is reasonably  possible.  10  Chapter  3: CONTROL  SYSTEM  
 
Article  24: Safety  and reliability  of control  systems  
Control  systems  shall  be designed  and constructed  in such  a way  that 
hazardous  situations are  minimized  by taking  into account  the following  aspects:  
 they shall be able to withstand the intended operating stresses and externa l 
inﬂuences;  
 a fault in the hardware or software of the control system shall not lead to 
hazardous situations;  
 errors in the control system logic shall not give rise to hazardous situations; 
and 
 reasonably foreseeable human error during operation shall not g ive rise to 
hazardous situations.  
The control  systems  shall  be designed  in a such  way  that:  
 the agricultural machinery shall not start unexpectedly;  
 the parameters  of the agricultural  machinery  shall  not change  in an 
uncontrolled way;  
 the agricultural mach inery shall not be prevented from stopping if the stop 
command has already been given;  
 automatic or manual stopping of the moving parts, whatever they may be, 
shall be unimpeded;  
 protective devices shall remain fully effective; and  
 safety -related parts of the control system shall apply in a coherent way to the 
whole of an assembly of agricultural machinery and partly completed 
agricultural machinery.  
Article  25: Control  devices  
Control  devices  shall  be: 
 clearly visible and identifiable and readily distingui shable from one another 
by their separation, size, shape, colors or feel, and by labelling controls either 
with words or with unambiguous and easily recognizable symbols;  
 designed in such a way that controls for starting or stopping are clearly 
marked;  
 positioned in such a way as to be safely operated without hesitation or loss of 
time and without ambiguity;  
 designed in such a way that the movement of the control device is consistent 
with its effect;  
 located outside danger zones, except where necessary for certain control 
devices such as an emergency stop or a teach pendant;  
 positioned in such a way that their operation cannot cause additional risk;  11   designed or protected in such a way that the desired effect, where a hazard is 
involved, can be achieved only  by a deliberate action; and  
 made in such a way as to withstand any foreseeable forces; particular 
attention shall be paid to emergency stop devices likely to be subjected to 
considerable forces.  
 
Article  26: Starting  
Agricultural  machinery  shall  be fitted  with  specific  start  control  devices  that;  
 start agricultural machinery only by voluntary activation of the control 
device provided for that purpose;  
 are shrouded or otherwise protected to prevent inadvertent operation.  
 
Article  27: Stopping  
Agricultural  machinery  shall  be fitted  with  a reliable  control  device  allowing  the 
agricultural  machinery  to be brought  safely  to a complete  stop.  
 
Article  28: Assembly  of agricultural  machinery  
In the case  of agricultural  machinery  or parts  designed  to work  together,  the 
agricultural  machinery shall be designed and constructed in such a way that the stop 
controls can  stop not only the agricultural machinery itself but also all equipment, if 
its continued  operation  may  be dangerous.  
 
Article  29: Selection  of control  or operating  modes  
The control or operating mode selected shall override all other control or operating  
modes,  with  the exception  of the emergency  stop.  
 
Article  30: Failure  of the energy  source  
The agricultural machinery shall be designed in such way that ﬂuc tuation, 
interruption  and re -establishment after an interruption of the energy source shall not 
lead to a  dangerous  situation.  12  Chapter  4: INFORMATION  AND MARKING  
 
Article  31: Information  and information  devices  
The information needed to control agricultur al machinery shall be provided in a form  
that is unambiguous and easily understood. It shall not be excessive to the extent of  
overloading the worker and shall be in at least one of the official languages used in  
Rwanda.  
Visual display units or any other i nteractive means of communication between 
worker  and agricultural  machinery  shall  be easily  understood  and easy  to use. 
 
Article  32: Warning  devices  
Where  the safety  and health  of workers  may  be endangered  by a fault  in the operation  
of supervised  or unsup ervised  agricultural  machinery,  the agricultural  machinery  
shall  be equipped  in such  a way  as to emit  an appropriate  acoustic  or visual  signal  as 
a warning.  
 
Article  33: Warning  of residual  risks  
Where residual risks remain, the necessary warnings, includi ng warning devices, 
shall  be provided.  
 
Article  34: Marking  of agricultural  machinery  
All agricultural  machineries  shall  be marked  visibly,  legibly  and indelibly  with  the 
following  minimum  particulars  whenever  applicable:  
 the business name/ brand name;  
 information relevant to its type;  
 designation of the agricultural machinery;  
 machinery dimensions;  
 acceptable weight;  
 maximum permissible speed of certain rotating parts;  
 designation of series or type;  
 serial, chassis, VIN and/or engine number;  
 the year of co nstruction, that is the year in which the manufacturing process 
is completed.  
Agricultural  machineries  designed  and constructed  for use in a potentially  explosive  
atmosphere  shall  be marked  accordingly.  13  Chapter  5: AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY GUARDING AND  
PROTE CTION  AGAINST MECHANICAL  HAZARDS  
 
Article  35: Risk  of loss of stability  
Agricultural machinery and its components and fittings shall be stable enough to avoid  
overturning,  falling  or uncontrolled  movements  during  use, transportation,  assembly  
and dismantli ng. All agricultural  tractors  shall  be equipped  with  rollover  protective  
structures  (ROPS)  and seat belts.  
If the shape  of the Agricultural  machinery  itself  or its intended  installation  does  not 
offer  sufficient  stability,  appropriate  means  of anchorage  shall be incorporated  and 
indicated  in the instructions.  
 
Article  36: Risk  of break -up during operation  
 The various parts of Agricultural machinery and their linkages shall be able 
to withstand the stresses to which they are subjected when used.  
 The durabili ty of the materials used shall be adequate for the nature of the 
working environment foreseen by the manufacturer, in particular as regards 
the phenomena of fatigue, ageing, corrosion and abrasion, and the 
maintenance schedule of the owner.  
 Rigid or flexib le pipes carrying fluids, particularly those under high pressure, 
shall be able to withstand foreseeable internal agricultural machinery 
guarding and protection against mechanical hazards and external stresses 
and shall be firmly attached and protected to ensure that no risk is posed by a 
rupture.  
 
Article  37: Risks  due to falling  or ejected  objects  
Measures  shall  be taken  to prevent  risks  arising  from  falling  or ejected  objects.  
 
Article  38: Risks  due to  surfaces,  edges  or angles  
In so far as their  purpose  allows,  parts  that are accessible  during  use and maintenance  
of the agricultural machinery shall have no sharp edges, sharp angles or rough 
surfaces  likely  to cause  injury.  
 
Article  39: Risks  related  to combined  agricultural  machineries  
Where the combined  agricultural machineries are intended to carry out several different  
operations  with  manual  removal  of the piece  between  each  operation,  it shall  be 
designed  and constructed  in such  a way  as to enable  each  element  to be used  14  separately,  without  the other  elements  constituting  a risk to exposed  persons.  
 
Article  40: Risks  related  to variations  in operating  conditions  
Where  the agricultural  machinery  performs  operations  under  different  conditions  of 
use, it shall  be designed  and constructed  in such  a way  to ensure  safety  and health  in 
the use of agricultural machinery that selection and adjustment of these conditions can 
be carried  out safely  and reliably.  
 
Article  41: Risks  related  to moving  parts  
Moving parts of machinery shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent  
risks of contact which could lead to accidents and shall, where risks persist, be fitted with  
guards  or protective  devices.  
 
Article  42: Choice  of protection  against  risks  arising  from  moving  parts  
Guards or protective devices d esigned to protect against risks arising from moving parts  
shall  be selected  on the basis  of the type  of risk.  
 
Article  43: Moving  transmission  parts  
Guards shall be designed to protect persons against the hazards generated by 
moving  transmission.  
 
Article  44: Moving  parts  involved  in the process  
Guards or protective devices shall be designed to protect persons and animals against the  
hazards  generated  by moving  parts.  
 
Article  45: Risks  of uncontrolled  movements  
When  a part of the agricultural  machinery  has been  stopped,  any drifting  away  from  
the stopping position for whatever reason other than action on the control devices 
shall be  prevented or  shall  not present  a hazard.  15  Article  46: General  requirements  for guards  
Guards  and protective  devices  shall  protect users  against  dangers,  including  risks  
from  moving  parts.  They  shall:  
 be of robust construction;  
 be securely held in place;  
 not give rise to any additional hazard;  
 not be easy to bypass or render non -operational, or be easily defeated;  
 be located at a n adequate distance from the danger zone;  
 cause minimum obstruction of the view of the production process.  
 
Article  47: Special  requirements  for guards  
 Fixed  guards  
They  shall  be designed  so as to prevent  access  to the dangerous  parts  of the 
machinery.  
 Interlocking  movable  guards  
Interlocking  movable  guards  shall  be designed  and fixed  and associated  with  
an interlocking  device  to: 
 prevents the start of hazardous machinery functions until the guards are 
closed; and  
 gives a stop command whenever the guards ar e opened.  
 
Article  48: Adjustable  guards  restricting  access  
Adjustable  guards  restricting  access  to those  areas  of the moving  parts  strictly  
necessary  for the work  shall  be: 
 adjustable manually or automatically, depending on the type of work 
involved; and  
 readily adjustable without the use of tools.  
 
Article  49: Special  requirements  for protective  devices  
Protective  devices  shall  be designed and incorporated  into the control system  in 
such  a way  that:  
 persons cannot reach moving parts while those parts are moving;  16   the absence or failure of one of their components prevents starting or stops 
the moving parts;  
 they are adjustable only by means of an intentional action.  
 
Article  50: Safety  cabs  and frames  
All agricultural machinery shall be provided with a safe ty cab or frame to protect the  
operator  and any passenger  in case  of agricultural  machinery  overturn  in any 
direction;  falling  objects;  or displaced  loads.  
 
Article  51: Guarding  of operating  positions  on auxiliary  equipment  
An agricultural machinery shall be designed in a way that protects the operator from falls  
by every  appropriate  means.  17   
Chapter  6: MACHINERY  GUARDING  AND  PROTECTION  AGAINST  
OTHER  HAZARDS  
 
Article  52: Electricity  supply  
Where  agricultural  machinery  has an electricity  supply,  it shall  be designed,  
constructed  and equipped in such a way  that all hazards of an electrical nature are or  
can be  prevented.  
 
Article  53: Static  electricity  
Agricultural machinery shall be designed and constructed to prevent or limit the 
build - up of potentially  dangerous  electrostatic  charges  and be fitted  with  a 
discharging  system.  
 
Article  54: Energy  supply  other  than  electricity  
Where agricultural machinery is powered by sources of energy other than electricity, 
it shall be designed, constructed and equipped as t o prevent all potential risks 
associated  with  such  sources  of energy.  
 
Article  55: Errors  in fitting  
 Errors likely to be made when fitting or refitting certain parts which could be 
a source of risk shall be precluded by the design and construction of the 
parts;  
 Where a faulty connection can be a source of risk, the design shall make it 
impossible to connect parts incorrectly.  
 
Article  56: Fire 
Machinery  shall  be designed  and constructed  in such  a way  as to prevent  any risk of 
fire or overheating posed by th e machinery itself or by gases, liquids, dust, vapors or 
other  substances  produced  or used  by the machinery.  
 
Article  57: Explosion  
 Machinery shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent any 
risk of explosion posed by the machinery itself or by gases, liquids, dust, 
vapors or other substances produced or used by the machinery.  18   Where machinery is intended for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere, it 
shall be designed and manufactured to exclude or minimize ignition sources 
and comply w ith any national laws and standards applicable to explosive 
atmospheres.  
 
Article  58: Noise  
Machinery shall be designed and constructed in such a way that risks resulting from the  
emission  of airborne  noise  are eliminated  or reduced  to the acceptable  level . 
 
Article  59: Vibration  
Machinery shall be designed and constructed in such a way that risks resulting from  
whole -body  and hand -transmitted  vibration  produced  by the machinery  are reduced  
to the lowest  possible  level.  
 
Article  60: Ionizing  and non-ionizin g radiation  arising  from  the agricultural  
machinery  
 Radiation emissions that are not essential to the functioning of the machinery 
shall be eliminated, or reduced to levels that do not have adverse effects on 
workers;  
 Any functional ionizing radiation emis sions shall be limited to the lowest 
level sufficient for the proper functioning of the machinery during 
maintenance and use;  
 Any functional non -ionizing radiation emissions during maintenance and use 
shall be limited to levels that do not have adverse eff ects on workers;  
 Machinery shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent any 
accidental emission of radiation.  
 
Article  61: External  radiation  
Machinery  shall  be designed  and constructed  in such  a way  that external  radiation  
does  not interf ere with  its operation.  
 
Article  62: Laser  radiation  
Where  laser  equipment  is used,  the following  shall  be taken  into account:  
 
 laser equipment fitted on agricultural machinery shall be designed and 
constructed in such a way as to prevent any accidental em ission of radiation;  19   laser equipment fitted on machinery shall be protected in such a way that 
effective radiation, radiation produced by reflection or diffusion, and 
secondary radiation do not damage health; and  
 optical equipment for the observation or a djustment of laser equipment fitted 
on agricultural machinery shall be designed and fitted so as to prevent any 
health risk arising from the laser radiation.  
 
Article  63: Emissions  of hazardous  materials  and substances  
Agricultural machinery shall be desig ned and constructed in such a way as to prevent  
any risks of inhalation, ingestion or contact with hazardous materials and substances  
(including penetration of such materials and substances through skin, eyes or 
mucous  membranes)  which  it produces.  
 
Articl e 64: Risk  of being  trapped  in machinery  
Agricultural  machinery  shall  be designed,  constructed  or fitted  with  a means  of 
preventing  a worker  from  being  enclosed  within  it or, if that is not possible,  with  a 
means  of summoning  help.  
 
Article  65: Risk  of slipping,  tripping  or falling  
Parts  of agricultural  machinery  on which  workers  are likely  to move  about  or stand  
shall  be designed  and constructed  in such  a way  as to prevent  workers  from  slipping,  
tripping  or falling  on or off these  parts.  
 
Article  66: Light ning  
Agricultural  machinery  shall  be fitted  with  a system  for conducting  the electrical  
charge  to earth  to prevent  it from  lightning  strikes.  
 
Article  67: Access  to operating  positions  and servicing  points  
Agricultural  machinery  shall  be designed  and const ructed  in such  a way  as to allow  
safe access to all areas where intervention is necessary during operation, adjustment 
and maintenance.  
 
Article  68: Isolation  of energy  sources  
Agricultural machinery  shall  20   be fitted with a means to disconnect and isolate it from all energy sources;  
 have clearly identifiable isolators;  
 be capable of being locked in the off position if reconnection could endanger 
workers;  
Isolators  shall  also be capable  of being  locked  in the off position  if an operator is  
unable  to check th at the energy is still cut off because of inaccessibility of areas that 
require  checking  or because  workers  are unable  to view  them  from  a different  part  of 
the access  area.  
 
Article  69: Worker  intervention  
Agricultural machinery shall be designed, constru cted and equipped in such a way 
that the need  for worker  intervention  is limited.  If worker  intervention  cannot  be 
avoided,  it shall  be possible  to carry  it out easily  and safely.  
 
Article  70: Cleaning  of internal  parts  
Agricultural  machinery  shall  be designed  and constructed  in such  a way  that:  
 
  it is possible to clean internal parts which have contained hazardous 
substances or preparations without entering them;  
 any necessary unblocking shall also be possible from the outside;  
 if it is impossible to avoid entering the machinery, it shall be designed and 
constructed in such a way as to allow cleaning to take place safely.  21  Chapter  9. FINAL  PROVISIONS  
 
Article  71: Repealing  Provision  
All prior legal provisions contrary to this technical regulation espec ially guidelines 
on manufacturing,  importation,  wholesaling,  distributing  or dealership  of 
agricultural  machineries  and equipment,  are hereby  repealed.  
Other related Laws,  Presidential or Ministerial Orders are not repealed and will remain  
into force  and are referenced.  
Article  72: Disclaimer  
The Regulatory Authority shall not be held liable for any accidents, damage or loss  
resulting from the storage, transportation and or use of noncompliant or compliant  
regulated  agricultural  machinery  or equipment.  
Article 73: Transition  
Within  a period  of one (1) year  from  the date  of coming  into force  of this technical  
regulation, all existing local manufacturers of the regulated agricultural machineries shall  
have  to be licensed.