EU motor efficiency regulation: IE3, IE4 and CE
EU motor efficiency regulation 2019/1781: which motors need IE2, IE3 or IE4 since when, what is exempt, what the rating plate shows, who must be in the EU.
Industrial machinery: EU rules for machine builders
Most machines combine machinery and EMC rules, and some add pressure equipment, ATEX or noise requirements. From 20 January 2027 the Machinery Regulation sets the frame.
- Machinery DirectiveDirective 2006/42/EC
- Machinery RegulationRegulation (EU) 2023/1230Applies from 20 January 2027
- EMC DirectiveDirective 2014/30/EU
- Outdoor Noise DirectiveDirective 2000/14/EC
- Cyber Resilience ActRegulation (EU) 2024/2847Applies from 11 December 2027
- Simple Pressure Vessels DirectiveDirective 2014/29/EU
- Pressure Equipment DirectiveDirective 2014/68/EU
- ATEX DirectiveDirective 2014/34/EU
Three key facts on industrial machinery
2027
Machinery Regulation
From 20 January 2027 Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 replaces Directive 2006/42/EC.
Part A
Always a notified body
Six categories in Annex I Part A of the Machinery Regulation always need a notified body.
Art. 4
Business in the EU
Machinery needs an economic operator in the EU: your EU importer, an authorized representative or a fulfilment service provider.
What applies to your product?
Pick a product to see the EU rules it usually falls under. Yours may differ, so we check each one.
Machine tools
Electrical hazards are covered by the machinery rules, without a separate Low Voltage Directive declaration.
Machinery Regulation replaces the Machinery DirectiveMachinery Regulation
Packaging and processing lines
With a network connection the Cyber Resilience Act applies as well.
Machinery Regulation replaces the Machinery DirectiveMachinery Regulation
Compressors with air receivers
The compressor is machinery; the air receiver falls under the simple pressure vessel or pressure equipment rules.
Machinery Regulation replaces the Machinery DirectiveMachinery Regulation
Lifting equipment and hoists
Lifting accessories, chains, ropes and webbing fall under the machinery rules as products of their own.
Machinery Regulation replaces the Machinery DirectiveMachinery Regulation
Construction machinery
Used outdoors: guaranteed sound power level on the label (Directive 2000/14/EC).
Machinery Regulation replaces the Machinery DirectiveMachinery Regulation
Equipment for explosive atmospheres
Category 3 can be self-certified; categories 1 and 2 involve a notified body.
Deadlines ahead
The next dates from the rules on this page.
Reporting of actively exploited vulnerabilities and severe incidents
Cyber Resilience Act
2 October 2026
Machinery Regulation replaces the Machinery Directive
Machinery Regulation
All Cyber Resilience Act requirements apply
Cyber Resilience Act
How we help
EU Authorized Representative
We act as your EU Authorized Representative and hold your machinery documents for authorities.
CE marking support
We check which directives apply to each machine and review your technical file.
Compliance consulting
We plan the switch to the Machinery Regulation for your product range.
Industrial machinery: frequently asked questions
Our EU customer imports the machines: do we still need an authorized representative?
Not necessarily. A customer established in the EU that places your machine on the market as importer can be the economic operator under Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020. An authorized representative helps when no EU business acts as importer, for example when you sell delivered duty paid or to many customers.
What changes on 20 January 2027?
Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 replaces the Machinery Directive: new high-risk categories, requirements to protect control systems, and instructions that may be supplied digitally.
Does a compressor fall under the Pressure Equipment Directive?
The compressor itself usually not: it is machinery, and pressure parts of a machine up to category I stay under the machinery rules. Air receivers fall under the Simple Pressure Vessels Directive or, outside its limits, the Pressure Equipment Directive, with a notified body from category II.
Which machines fall under the outdoor noise rules?
Equipment used outdoors, such as compressors, generators and construction machinery, carries its guaranteed sound power level. For some types a notified body is involved.
Insights on this topic
ATEX Directive requirements for non-EU makers
ATEX Directive requirements for non-EU makers: equipment category, notified body, Ex marking, what IECEx reports can do and who must be in the EU.
Machinery Regulation 2027: checklist for non-EU makers
Machinery Regulation 2027: what applies from 20 January 2027, which units still fall under the old Directive, and a seven-step checklist for non-EU makers.
Why companies choose Representa GmbH
Representa secured our EU Authorized Representative appointment within 48 hours, saving our shipment from costly delay.
U.S. electronic device manufacturerEU Authorized Representative They turned the CE Marking process into clear, actionable steps, helping us meet our launch timeline and pass compliance the first time.
Canadian consumer electronics companyCE marking Thanks to Representa, our products became fully GPSR-compliant well before the deadline, ensuring uninterrupted marketplace sales.
Asian consumer and healthcare exporterGPSR Responsible Person Our beauty cosmetics line faced labeling issues, but Representa's quick review and precise updates got us approved without delay.
Global beauty, fashion and cosmetics brandCompliance consulting The onboarding was fast and transparent. Representa made EU compliance simple and gave us confidence to expand across Europe.
Canadian industrial equipment supplier We were unsure how to manage new GPSR rules. Representa guided us step by step, keeping us fully compliant and avoiding delays.
U.S. consumer goods manufacturerGPSR Responsible Person
Machinery for the EU market?
Send us your machine types. We check which rules apply under the Machinery Directive and the Machinery Regulation and set up your EU representation.
Get in touch with our team of experts
Tell us what you manufacture and where you want to sell. We identify the requirements for EU and UK market access and come back to you with the next steps.