Table of contents
Introduction to the New Regulation
The new Regulation 2023/1230/EU will replace the current Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, introducing a number of significant changes that will impact the machinery industry across the European Union. As of January 20, 2027, the provisions of this regulation will apply directly in all member states without the need for transposition into national law.
Key Changes in the Regulation
New Definitions and Terminology Changes
The regulation introduces new definitions and modifies existing ones, such as:
- Significant Modification: A change made to a machine or related product in a physical or digital manner after it has been placed on the market or put into service, not foreseen or planned by the manufacturer, affecting the safety of the machine or related product by creating new hazards or increasing existing risks, necessitating the addition of guards or protective devices requiring modification of the existing safety-related system or the implementation of additional protective measures to ensure stability or mechanical strength.
- Machine: Machines in the narrow sense only, excluding software installation intended for specific applications envisaged by the manufacturer.
- Related Product: Interchangeable equipment, safety components, lifting accessories, chains, ropes, straps, detachable mechanical transmission devices.
- Products Covered by the Regulation: Machines, related products, and incomplete machines.
- Safety Component: Added “digital” component.
- Safety Function: A function of a protective measure designed to eliminate hazards or, if not possible, reduce risks, whose defective performance can increase those risks.
- Lifecycle: The period from the placing on the market or putting into service of a machine or related product to the end of its use, including the actual time the machine or related product is fit for use and stages of transport, assembly, disassembly, decommissioning, scrapping, or other physical or digital modifications envisaged by the manufacturer.
- Source Code: The currently installed version of the software of the product covered by this regulation, written in a programming language to be unambiguous and understandable to humans.
- Professional User: A natural person who uses or operates a machine or related product as part of their business or professional activities.
Changes in Conformity Assessment Procedures
One of the key elements of the new regulation is the introduction of a new conformity assessment module (G) alongside the existing modules (A, B+C, H). The new provisions also include the possibility of providing electronic versions of user manuals.
Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Requirements
The new regulation includes requirements related to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, addressing the growing threats in the digital era.
Plans of the European Commission
The European Commission plans to issue a Guide to Implementing the Machinery Regulation and to gradually issue harmonized standards (primarily in new areas) through standardization bodies before January 20, 2027, which is the date when the regulation will become applicable.
Summary
The introduction of the new Regulation 2023/1230/EU is a key step in raising quality and safety standards in the machinery industry. Companies that adapt to these requirements will gain not only in competitiveness but also in building customer trust.
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