Call for evidence outcome

Government response to the call for evidence on machinery safety legislation

Updated 25 February 2026

Background

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (“the UK Regulations”) implemented the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (“the Directive”) in the UK. The EU Withdrawal Act 2018 preserved the UK Regulations and enabled them to be amended to continue to function effectively now that the UK has left the EU. In addition, under current UK legislation, businesses who comply with specific requirements of the Directive and mark their machinery with the CE marking may continue to place these products on the market in Great Britain (GB) (known as “CE recognition”).

The European Union has now adopted Regulation 2023/1230 on Machinery (“the EU Regulation”). The EU Regulation will replace the current Directive, with substantive changes applying from January 2027. Under the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland (NI) applies certain EU product regulations, including the new Machinery Regulation 2023, to facilitate NI’s dual access to the UK internal market and EU Single Market.

Overview

On 28 July 2025, the UK Government published a Call for Evidence, seeking views on GB’s approach to the EU’s new Machinery Regulation and the continued recognition of CE marked equipment within its scope. The Call for Evidence closed on 20 October, and a total of 48 responses were received from UK, EU and global manufacturers and distributors, UK Approved Bodies, trade associations, professional bodies, and enforcement authorities.

The Call for Evidence was split into two questions. The first question focused on continued recognition of the EU’s rules on machinery. The second focused on whether stakeholders would like to see a similar approach taken in GB to that of the EU, and therefore NI, with regards to machinery safety legislation.

45 out of 48 respondents were in favour of continued recognition of EU product requirements, 1 was not in favour, 1 presented arguments both in favour of and against the continuation of CE recognition, and 1 did not respond to the specific question. The 2 responses that indicated a preference not to continue CE recognition wanted to see the UK go further than the EU, setting higher safety standards.

43 out of 48 respondents were in favour of a similar approach in GB, 2 were opposed, 2 presented arguments both in favour and against, and 1 did not respond to the specific question. The responses which were not in favour of taking a similar approach in GB also wanted the UK to go further than the EU, setting higher safety standards.

Alongside the Call for Evidence, which invited written responses, the UK Government gathered verbal feedback through engagements held across ten locations, speaking with over 190 stakeholders across the UK and internationally. In addition, officials engaged with relevant Government Departments across Whitehall, the Devolved Governments, and enforcement authorities to seek their views on the future of GB safety legislation on machinery.

Key themes identified from the Call for Evidence and roundtables

Support for continued CE recognition and implementing similar measures in GB

Responses to both questions highlighted similar themes. Respondents supported implementing similar measures in GB with EU requirements and continuing CE recognition, citing efficiency, reduced administrative burdens, and maintaining access to EU and NI markets. This was viewed as pragmatic and essential for competitiveness, particularly for SMEs and sectors with limited resources.

Respondents suggested that the potential consequences of not continuing to recognise CE marking could raise costs, reduce product availability, and risk lower specification products being placed on the GB market.

Digitalisation

These findings were also supported by further engagement activities where there was also broad support for digitalisation, such as QR codes and digital product passports, to streamline compliance.

Conformity assessment

Views on mandatory third-party conformity assessments were mixed: some supported it for high-risk products, while others warned of capacity and cost issues. Mutual Recognition of Conformity Assessment Bodies was raised by numerous businesses as beneficial.

Wider issues

Wider issues raised included the need for clear guidance on coexistence of CE and UKCA markings and consideration of emerging challenges, such as cybersecurity and AI integration in machinery. Enforcement capacity and market surveillance were also identified as areas requiring attention to ensure effective implementation.

Next steps

For NI, implementation of the EU Regulation under the Windsor Framework requires legislation to be laid in Parliament by October 2026, in line with the EU deadline for enforcement provisions.

The Government intends to lay legislation to continue CE recognition for machinery products in GB when Parliamentary time allows. In addition, we will update the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 as they apply in GB to introduce similar measures to the EU, and therefore NI, into GB legislation. In line with stakeholder viewpoints, we will ensure these GB changes are compatible with EU requirements. However, full replication or ‘alignment’ is not possible as any legal text introduced in GB must be tailored to national requirements, such as omitting references to EU reporting requirements, institutions and language, as well as providing for conformity assessment by UK recognised conformity assessment bodies and the UK conformity marking (UKCA).