Machinery Regulation 2023/1230: what applies from 2027
By Redaktion Maschinenpass · As of · Machinery Regulation
Short answer
Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 on machinery applies from 20 January 2027 and replaces Directive 2006/42/EC. The start date results from the corrigendum of 4 July 2023; the 14 January 2027 named in the first publication is out of date. Manufacturers must, among other things, provide instructions, the declaration of conformity and the technical documentation as Art. 10 provides. The duties stay with each economic operator.
On this page
Start date and corrigendum
The Regulation was published in the Official Journal on 29 June 2023. The corrigendum of 4 July 2023 (OJ L 169) corrected the dates: the Regulation applies from 20 January 2027, and Directive 2006/42/EC is repealed on the same day. The version of 29 June 2023 therefore shows wrong dates.
Who is addressed?
The Regulation addresses economic operators that make machinery and related products available on the EU market or put them into service: manufacturers, authorised representatives, importers and distributors. The operator (user) is not an addressee. A user becomes a manufacturer only by substantially modifying a machine (Art. 18) or building one for own use.
Manufacturer duties (Art. 10)
| Duty | Reference | More |
|---|---|---|
| Draw up technical documentation and keep it for at least ten years | Art. 10(2) and (3), Annex IV | |
| Identification on the product: model, type, year, serial number | Art. 10(5) | |
| Manufacturer name and postal address, plus a digital contact option | Art. 10(6) | |
| Instructions, also in digital form | Art. 10(7) | Digital instructions |
| Enclose the EU declaration of conformity or make it accessible by internet address or code | Art. 10(8) | Declaration, digital |
| Corrective measures without delay; inform authorities where risks arise | Art. 10(9) |
What is not law yet
What this means in practice
- Plan with 20 January 2027 as the start date, not 14 January 2027.
- Treat instructions and declaration as a long-term offer: they must stay available for the lifetime and at least ten years.
- Do not rely on summaries. Check articles and annexes in the Official Journal.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Machinery Regulation apply?
From 20 January 2027. The corrigendum of 4 July 2023 replaced the 14 January 2027 stated at first.
Does it oblige the user?
The Regulation does not address the user as such. Duties of users arise from other law, which was not examined here.
Sources and references
References come from the editorial research of 5 November 2026. Consolidated versions and summaries are not legally binding; the Official Journal is authoritative. Standards texts were not read.
- Verordnung (EU) 2023/1230, konsolidierte Fassung vom 27.07.2026 (EUR-Lex, nicht rechtsverbindlich) (Primary source)
- Berichtigung der Verordnung (EU) 2023/1230, ABl. L 169 vom 04.07.2023 (EUR-Lex), Application from 20 January 2027 (Primary source)
- Berichtigung 2025/90297 der deutschen Fassung vom 01.04.2025 (EUR-Lex) (Primary source)
- Durchführungsbeschluss (EU) 2026/2015 vom 04.09.2026 (EUR-Lex), Art. 2: repeal of the list of standards under the Directive (Primary source)
- Maschinenverordnung-Durchführungsgesetz (MaschinenDG), BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 302, Section 2 (language), section 12 (applies from 20 January 2027) (Primary source)
- Omnibus IV, vorläufige Einigung, Text PE790.900 vom 26.06.2026 (Europäisches Parlament, IMCO), Art. 5 and Annex IV (Primary source)
- Legislative Observatory, Verfahren 2025/0134(COD) (Omnibus IV) (Primary source)
- BAuA: Überarbeitung der Maschinenrichtlinie (Primary source)
- IBF: Stand der harmonisierten Normen zur Maschinenverordnung (21.10.2026) (Secondary source)
Change log
- : First version.
Provide documents per serial number
Maschinenpass keeps instructions, declaration and file per serial number. The "Example" page shows a passport with fictional data.