This Practice Note provides an overview of the objectives and scope of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 on machinery also known as the EU Machinery Regulation (EU MR). The EU MR requires manufacturers and other market participants involved in the production of machinery and related products to adhere to various health and safety requirements. This document describes the key obligations of manufacturers, importers and distributors (as well as other individuals who may be bought into scope) and examines the main changes from Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery known as the EU Machinery Directive (EU MD) in relation to new digital and technological concepts.

The machinery sector has an annual turnover of €700 billion and provides a range of essential products and technology for applications in several other manufacturing and services industries, such as mining, manufacturing, textile, as well as producing domestic appliances.

The EU MR covers a wide range of products from construction machinery, lawnmowers, to robots, and 3D printers. The EU MR also covers other related products, such as safety components or partly completed machinery