The European Commission works on the revision of the Machinery Directive, which is expected to be implemented by the second quarter 2021.
The Machinery Directive has undergone several changes since its implementation in 1989, tackling the new technical knowledge and business practices of extremely heterogeneous and innovative industry.
Why does the text of MD need a revision?
The Directive has a dual objective, while guaranteeing the safety of machinery and ensuring the free movement of machinery throughout the EU, it must keep its relevance in light of the technological developments. Mainly, emerging digital technologies allowing the EU to remain competitive on the global market.
The revision of the Directive is aiming to improve 4 pillars: its coherence, legal clarity in definitions, the administrative burden and new challenges posed by the technical progress in the digitalization.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) were the two main triggers to launch the revision. The initiative intends to work in the health and safety requirements for machinery devices implementing these technologies, considering the autonomous behavior of AI systems, robots and cyber threats. It is the intention of the Commission to address cybersecurity through a comprehensive approach, assessing its pertinence in the Radio Equipment Directive (RED).
What’s next?
The public consultation is scheduled in the second quarter of 2019. During this period, stakeholders and citizens can express their views on the scope, priorities and added value of the proposed changes. On the base of the outcomes, the European Commission will examine the possibility of a proposal for a Machinery Regulation.
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Victor Pastor Martin