Government Confirms Direction of Travel for UK Machinery Safety Regulation

The UK government has confirmed its intended approach to machinery safety legislation following a detailed call for evidence, signalling a clear move toward alignment with the European Union’s evolving regulatory framework.

The consultation, which opened in July 2025, sought stakeholder views on two key issues: the continued recognition of EU machinery requirements, including CE marking, and the potential adoption of measures similar to those set out in the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230, due to apply from January 2027.

Responses from industry stakeholders indicated strong support for maintaining regulatory alignment. Many participants emphasised that consistency with EU requirements would help minimise duplication, reduce compliance costs, and preserve access to key export markets, including both the EU and Northern Ireland.

Stakeholders also warned that divergence could have unintended consequences, particularly for smaller businesses. Increased regulatory complexity, higher costs, and potential disruption to supply chains were all cited as risks associated with departing from established EU frameworks.

In addition to alignment, respondents highlighted the importance of modernising machinery legislation. There was broad support for digital transformation, including the adoption of electronic documentation and enhanced data-sharing mechanisms to improve transparency and efficiency.

However, views were less unified regarding the expansion of mandatory third-party conformity assessments. While some respondents supported stricter oversight for higher-risk machinery, others raised concerns about affordability and the availability of assessment capacity.

Taking these findings into account, the government has confirmed that it will maintain CE recognition for machinery placed on the Great Britain market and update the existing regulatory framework to reflect key elements of the EU approach. Although full legislative alignment is not anticipated, the UK intends to remain closely aligned in practice.

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