Transitional presumption of conformity (Machinery Regulation Art. 20(10))

How it applies

• Source, not date: The rule changes where the presumption of conformity can come from. It does not move the machinery examination to 2028 and does not make the full AI Act framework apply to machinery in 2027.
• Temporary: It applies until machinery-specific harmonized standards or common specifications are referenced or adopted under the Machinery Regulation.
• Limited: As with any presumption, it covers only the requirements the AI Act standard actually addresses, and only standards whose references are cited. AI Act harmonized standards were still being developed by CEN and CENELEC JTC 21 when this entry was reviewed.
• Technical documentation: Name each standard, its edition and the requirement it is used for, and state that the presumption rests on Article 20(10).

Compared with the USA, Canada and China

There is no presumption of conformity in US or Canadian law; standards support a manufacturer's defense and regulators' expectations rather than creating a legal presumption. China's system of mandatory and recommended GB standards works differently again: mandatory standards must be met, recommended ones are voluntary.