Glossary · Machinery law and conformity
Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
Also known as: Machinery Directive, Directive 2006/42/EC, MD
German: Maschinenrichtlinie 2006/42/EG
The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is the EU legal framework for machinery applicable before the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 becomes applicable. It sets essential health and safety requirements, conformity assessment procedures and CE marking for machinery and related products, and applies until January 19, 2027.
- Compliance
- EU
In one sentence
The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is the EU machinery framework in force until the Machinery Regulation replaces it on January 20, 2027.
Example
A conveyor placed on the EU market in 2026 is assessed under the Machinery Directive, with an EC declaration of conformity; the same model shipped after January 20, 2027 needs an EU declaration under the Machinery Regulation.
Explained in context
Context cards connect this term with others to answer one question. Also in British English and German.
How it applies
- Structure: Essential health and safety requirements in Annex I, the technical file in Annex VII, and the categories of machinery requiring specific procedures in Annex IV. As a directive, it applies through national transposing laws.
- Transition: The Machinery Regulation applies from January 20, 2027 and repeals the directive on that date. What counts is the date a product is placed on the market or put into service.
- Standards: Harmonized standards cited under the directive support the presumption of conformity only under the directive. Check whether the same standards are cited under the regulation before relying on them after the transition.
- Technical documentation: Plan the transition: templates for the declaration of conformity, terminology (“EC” vs. “EU”), digital instructions and the new requirements on cybersecurity and AI-based safety functions.
Machinery Directive vs. Machinery Regulation
The directive needed national transposition; the regulation applies directly in all member states. The regulation also adds requirements for software and AI-based safety components, protection against corruption and digital instructions, and defines substantial modification. The technical file of the directive becomes “technical documentation” in the regulation.