Machinery Regulation from 20 January 2027: what changes for AI and robotics
AI · not reviewedWritten with AI from the sources listed, not yet editorially reviewed.
Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 replaces the Machinery Directive and explicitly covers self-learning controls, autonomous mobile machines and protection against tampering.
The essentials in five points
- From 20 January 2027, the regulation applies in full and directly in all EU member states; it replaces Directive 2006/42/EC.
- Machines with embedded systems whose behaviour evolves through machine learning and which perform safety functions are listed in Annex I — this can require a notified body.
- Autonomous mobile machines must perform their safety functions independently, must not act beyond their defined task and movement range, and must remain correctable at all times.
- Safety-relevant software must be identified and protected against tampering; lawful and unlawful interference must be recorded as evidence.
- It is linked to the AI Act: AI requirements for machinery are to come via delegated acts under the Machinery Regulation, applying by 2 August 2028 at the latest.
What this means for businesses
If you place robots, cobots or autonomous vehicles on the market or substantially modify them, you will need a conformity assessment under the new law from 2027. Operators are affected too: an unplanned software change that creates new hazards can count as a substantial modification and trigger a new assessment. Agree with manufacturers now on who supplies which evidence.
Sources · 2
- IHK Erfurt · 2026Neue EU-Maschinenverordnung gilt ab 2027: Übergang langfristig vorbereiten
- A&O Shearman · July 2026EU Digital Omnibus on AI: the wait is over but the compliance clock is running
Links open the original source in a new tab. Figures from company statements are labelled as vendor or company figures in the text.
Matching hardware
Cobots in manufacturing
Automate recurring tasks such as machine tending, packing or inspection with collaborative robots.
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