Compliance update — 30 July 2026
On 22 July 2026, the UK Government made The Supply of Machinery (Safety) (Amendment etc.) and the EU Machinery Regulation (Enforcement etc. in Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/867) — a significant update to machinery safety law across the UK. The Regulations come into force on 20 January 2027, the same day the EU’s new Machinery Regulation takes effect.
Why It Matters
The EU is replacing its long-standing Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) with Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which introduces new safety requirements covering software, AI-based safety functions and cybersecurity as well as updates to notified body involvement in the certification process. Under the Windsor Framework, that EU Regulation applies directly in Northern Ireland from January 2027. This instrument makes sure it can be properly enforced there, while keeping Great Britain’s own regime intact.
Great Britain: Continuity, Not Upheaval
For businesses placing machinery on the market in England, Wales and Scotland, the headline is continuity. The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 continue to apply, amended to confirm they now extend to Great Britain only. Machinery that meets the requirements of the new EU Machinery Regulation, and is CE marked, will continue to be recognised in Great Britain. Businesses keep the flexibility to use either UKCA or CE marking when placing machinery on the GB market — no forced switch, no cliff-edge deadline.
Northern Ireland: A New Enforcement Framework
Part 3 of the instrument builds the machinery needed to enforce the EU Machinery Regulation in Northern Ireland. It designates the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (for work equipment) and district councils (for consumer products) as market surveillance authorities, creates a register of UK notified bodies able to carry out conformity assessments for the NI market, and introduces the “UK(NI)” indication that must sit alongside CE marking where a UK body has assessed the product. New offences apply for breaching manufacturer, importer or distributor duties, carrying penalties on indictment of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The Government’s View
“The UK Government’s approach will improve safety and modernise machinery legislation, reduce duplicative and costly burdens on business and ensure there is no friction within the UK internal market.”
— Office for Product Safety and Standards, Department for Business and Trade
What Businesses Should Do Now
Anyone who designs, manufactures, imports or distributes machinery — from production equipment and robotics to everyday items like lawnmowers — has until 20 January 2027 to check technical files, declarations of conformity and marking practices against the new requirements, especially for products with software-driven or connected safety functions. Given the criminal penalties attached to Northern Ireland enforcement, it’s worth starting that review now rather than waiting for the deadline.
The full text of the instrument is available on legislation.gov.uk: The Supply of Machinery (Safety) (Amendment etc.) and the EU Machinery Regulation (Enforcement etc. in Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026 No. 867.
