Umm question for you all, I need some advice I have a customer who is buying a standard new grinder, taking off the guards and welding on a section about one foot long to sharpen knives (really sharp knives used to trim farm animals feet) I have asked another person who I know who also uses the same (no guards) piece of kit but his is direct from a manufacture in Holland. I have looked at the supply of machinery regulations 2008 and not sure what to advise my customer, I have in my mind that the grinder should have guarding, yes. No question there. And would like to advise that it should be CE kite marked but he buys it already marked, then carries out a modification before moving it on, so he has in effect tampered with the safety devices. I am aware that he is also breaking the HSWA “so designed and constructed that it will be safe and without risks to health” but what else should this equipment have? Declaration of Conformity!

what do you mean by the term 'customer'?

As always, I stand to be corrected by m'learned friends but I think the Supply of Machinery Safety Regs extend their coverage such that you can be a supplier to yourself. Must try to find my copy.... So a home-made bodge still has to comply with the "Essential Safety Requirements".

I think the OP is saying that an organisation is buying a standard grinder, taking bits off, adding new bits on then selling it to another company (the Customer), as a specialised product. My understanding is that even if made for your own use in your own organisation, you are still "putting it on the market". Your company could go bust and all assets be sold. So as others have said need to meet the standard.