UK Moves to Support Transition to New EU Machinery Regulation
The UK government has published draft legislation designed to support the transition to the European Union's new Machinery Regulation, which will come into force on 20 January 2027.
The proposed measures have two principal objectives: to ensure the effective enforcement of the EU Machinery Regulation in Northern Ireland in line with the UK's commitments under the Windsor Framework, and to maintain the recognition of CE-marked machinery products in Great Britain once the new EU requirements take effect.
The draft legislation was laid before Parliament on 1 June and will be subject to debate and approval before it can become law. If approved, the measures are expected to apply from 20 January 2027, coinciding with the implementation of the EU Machinery Regulation 2023.
The government said the legislation will provide regulatory continuity for manufacturers, importers and distributors by ensuring that CE-marked machinery products can continue to be placed on the market in Great Britain after the EU's updated framework takes effect.
Alongside these immediate measures, Ministers are continuing to consider options for broader reforms to machinery safety legislation in Great Britain. The government has reiterated its intention to replace the current Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 with an updated framework that introduces requirements similar to those contained in the EU Machinery Regulation, while tailoring them to the specific needs of the GB market.
Brian Parker, Head of Safety & Technical at IPAF, said: “The latest announcement provides greater clarity on the future direction of machinery regulation across the UK, particularly for businesses operating across both Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We will continue to inform our members – particularly manufacturers and rental companies – to enable them to be prepared for change.”
Industry stakeholders are now awaiting further information on how closely future GB requirements will align with the EU regime and what transitional arrangements may be introduced.
The government has encouraged stakeholders with questions regarding the proposed changes to contact the Department for Business and Trade's machinery regulation team at [email protected].
