EU proposes new machine regulations

News Story
- 6 May 2021 ( #1024 ) - Brussels, Belgium
2 min read
The new EU recommendations
The new EU recommendations
The European Union has issued a new proposal for the regulation of machinery products, potentially impacting all materials handling suppliers.

The proposal comes in the wake of an EU report on artificial intelligence which concluded that the EU's current product-safety legislation - in particular regarding the machinery directives (MD) - contains a number of gaps that need to be addressed.

The general objectives of the directives are to ensure free movement of machinery within the single market and to ensure a high level of protection for machinery users and other exposed persons.

The report found that current regulations do not address developments in digitalisation, such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence (AI), and the new generation of autonomous robots.

"In particular, the revision of the MD intends to address the following issues: (i) the MD does not sufficiently cover new risks originating from emerging technologies;
(ii) legal uncertainty due to a lack of clarity on the scope and definitions, and possible safety gaps in traditional technologies;
(iii) insufficient provisions for high-risk machines;
(iv) monetary and environmental costs due to extensive paper-based documentation;
(v) inconsistencies with other pieces of Union product-safety legislation; and
(vi) divergences in interpretation due to transposition," according to an EU statement.

The EU considered a range of options and is recommending "burden minimisation and enhanced safety".

This option would change the current act to increase legal clarity in scope and definitions. It would also make changes to achieve simplification by allowing digital documentation, aligning the MD to the NLF (new legislative framework), and avoiding divergences in interpretation by converting the MD into a regulation.

"This option would also include an empowerment to the Commission for reviewing the current list of machines presenting high risks to new market developments in this area, remove the internal check option for the conformity assessment of the high-risk machines, and make a first adaptation of the list of high risk machines."

A number of industry groups have begun examining the proposed changes and should be consulting with their members in the months ahead.
Man charged over scissor lift escapade
Man charged over scissor lift escapade 14 Sep 2023 - Adelaide, SA, Australia - 1 min read
ERA ponders Machinery Regulation 
ERA ponders Machinery Regulation  18 Aug 2022 - Brussels, Belgium - 2 min read
Manufacturers prepare for Stage V
Manufacturers prepare for Stage V 13 Sep 2018 - EUROPE - 2 min read
Previously about:
ERA joins EU skills pact News Story - 16 Nov 2023 - Brussels, Belgium - 1 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here

PREMIUM business

GemOne
Telematics for industrial fleets. Fleet & safety management solutions: track vehicles, boost efficiency, operate safer, & avoid unexpected downtime.

Use your high-impact banner on our high-traffic technical forum pages to promote your products, services, or career opportunities directly to forklift technicians and engineers.

Starting at just $396 (USD) for 100,000 impressions.

Since our launch in February 2005, Forkliftaction has been home to the leading global discussion forum for forklift technicians, attracting 98,000 visits every week.

Spaces are limited—contact us today!

Words of support …

After advertising with Forkliftaction.com, we got many enquiries regarding interest to be our distributor. Mostly from Europe and USA but including a few in ASEAN. We feel that the advertisement was useful and good for market expansion.

Lawrence Xu, Assistant Sales Manager - Resonac Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Use your high-impact banner on our high-traffic technical forum pages to promote your products, services, or career opportunities directly to forklift technicians and engineers.

Starting at just $396 (USD) for 100,000 impressions.

Since our launch in February 2005, Forkliftaction has been home to the leading global discussion forum for forklift technicians, attracting 98,000 visits every week.

Spaces are limited—contact us today!

Showcased in the Virtual Expo

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Use your high-impact banner on our high-traffic technical forum pages to promote your products, services, or career opportunities directly to forklift technicians and engineers.

Starting at just $396 (USD) for 100,000 impressions.

Since our launch in February 2005, Forkliftaction has been home to the leading global discussion forum for forklift technicians, attracting 98,000 visits every week.

Spaces are limited—contact us today!