Machinery Ordinance Five Tips for the New EU Machinery Regulation

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The new EU Machinery Regulation comes into force in January 2027. For manufacturing companies, this means preparing for stricter requirements—especially when it comes to protection against cyber attacks.

The urgency is real: cyberattacks on production facilities can not only cause expensive downtime, but also jeopardize the existence of entire companies. The new regulation responds to this threat and makes cybersecurity mandatory. For machine manufacturers, this means that they must incorporate protective measures right from the design stage. Industrial companies, on the other hand, must operate and maintain their devices carefully.

But where to start? The automation experts at Omron have put together five practical tips that companies can use to prepare themselves optimally for the new requirements.

1. Understand And Strategically Implement New Regulations

Regardless of whether you are a machine manufacturer or a user company: If you want to implement and comply with the new regulations properly, you first need to understand them. The overarching aim of the new regulation is the same as before: to ensure the safe design, manufacture and use of machinery. However, gaps in the original directive are now also to be closed, particularly in view of advances in digital technology and the complexity of modern manufacturing. In addition to a more structured approach to conformity assessments, the new regulation also includes specific provisions on digitalization and cybersecurity. A sound understanding of these provisions is essential.

2. Introduce New Standards at An Early Stage

There is no transitional period between the two pieces of legislation. This means that companies must achieve full compliance by January 20, 2027. By this date, all machines on the EU market must be designed to withstand unauthorized access or tampering that could compromise safety-critical functions. This includes protective measures against malicious tampering via physical connections such as USB ports and digital channels such as networked systems. The regulation also explicitly requires safety-critical AI systems to undergo rigorous risk assessments and, in many cases, third-party conformity assessments to verify compliance. Setting up and testing processes and protocols to ensure compliance can take some time. The sooner companies start implementing the required new standards, the easier the transition will be.

3. Check Existing Machines And Systems

The next step is to check all existing machines and systems against the new standards. A comprehensive audit helps to determine which machines are networked, which contain AI or adaptive systems and which safety-critical components could be vulnerable to cyberattacks. For machine builders, this may mean evaluating design plans, software architecture and network integration points. For end users, it means reviewing how machines are actually operated on the shop floor. This includes any ad hoc modifications or legacy connections. The aim is to identify gaps, prioritize high-risk systems and plan upgrades or additional security measures in good time before the deadline in January 2027.

4. Develop And Conduct Training Courses

Even the safest machines are only as safe as the people who operate them. Machine manufacturers should therefore provide clear instructions and documentation on cybersecurity measures. End users, in turn, must ensure that operators, maintenance staff and supervisors are fully trained in safe use, reliable operation and incident response. A note: The new regulation allows manufacturers to provide online user manuals. This can help reduce environmental impact and operating costs. To ensure compliance, digital resources must remain accessible for at least ten years after a product is launched on the market.

5. Rely on Reliable And Experienced Partners

The cybersecurity requirements of the new Machinery Directive can be complex. That's why it pays to work with experienced suppliers and integrators to ease the transition. Companies with a proven track record in areas such as secure design, automation and compliance offer comprehensive industrial automation solutions that integrate cybersecurity best practices from the ground up. Working with trusted partners like Omron helps ensure secure and compliant machines that can stand up to new cyber threats.

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