Shaping the future of Machinery Regulation: Highlights from the April 2025 MEG meeting
CECE participated in the 8th meeting of the European Commission’s Machinery Expert Group (MEG), held in Brussels on 11th April 2025.
A key focus of the meeting was the ongoing work on the Guide to the Application of the new Machinery Regulation, with important updates shared on the newly formed Editorial Group and Subgroups. The Editorial Group, responsible for drafting the guide, has already held two meetings with Member State representatives, and the next is scheduled for 17th June. A call for expressions of interest to join supporting (technical) subgroups is currently open. CECE will submit its application in three active subgroups: risk of contact with overhead power lines, seating, and substantial modification. The objective is to complete the guide before the Regulation’s application date of 20th January 2027. Notably, approved sections will be published progressively, without waiting for the full document to be finalised.
On standardisation activities, the Commission gave an overview of progress on aligning standards with the new and revised ESHRs in the Machinery Regulation. Work is advancing on a new type-B standard to address ESHR 1.1.9, with submission for CEN enquiry already planned for April. The Commission is also currently assessing the first round of data from a gap analysis exercise. Discussions are also ongoing about the structure of Annex Z, with a potential shift toward listing all requirements rather than just the relevant ones—a change that would lengthen standards but could bring greater consistency.
Other key points discussed included the adoption of the Standardisation Request on 20th January 2025, with deliverables due by January 2026; updates on accident data collection to support possible revisions of Annex I; and timelines for future standard citations under the new Regulation.
CECE also raised questions about the citation of standards under the Machinery Regulation, and the Commission confirmed that legal clarity has now been reached to allow citation with restrictions.
On another note, it was announced that Mr. Mehdi Hocine, Head of Unit for Machinery, will leave his post on 1st May to take up a new role as Head of Unit for Services. His successor has not yet been named.
The next MEG meeting is planned for 20th October 2025 tbc.
More news