The Department for Business and Trade’s [DBT] is calling for input from manufacturers, importers, and trade associations on the UK’s machinery safety legislation.
As part of the Department for Business and Trade’s review of the UK’s machinery safety legislation, they are launching a call for evidence and hosting a series of stakeholder roundtables.
These engagements aim to gather a broad range of views on potential reforms to the current regulatory framework, assess their impact on UK businesses and consumers, and explore opportunities to streamline implementation. This includes consideration of how any future changes could support the government’s ambition to reduce administrative costs and burdens on business. We welcome input from all stakeholders to help us build a robust evidence base that will inform our approach to machinery regulation in Great Britain.
Context
The EU has introduced a new Machinery Regulation (2023/1230), which will apply from January 2027, when the current EU Directive will be repealed. Under the Windsor Framework, this Regulation will be directly applicable in Northern Ireland. DBT is now considering the UK’s position for the GB market.
The UK’s legislation, the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, derives from the original EU Machinery Directive. The Regulations cover a wide range of both workplace and consumer products, from agricultural and industrial equipment to lawn mowers and leaf blowers.
Call for Evidence
The call for evidence seeks views on the potential benefits of enacting similar changes in Great Britain as apply in Northern Ireland and the EU, and on the impact of potentially continuing CE recognition for Machinery in Great Britain. This will help to inform the future regulatory position across the whole of the UK.
You can access the call for evidence here.
The deadline for responses is Monday 20 October 2025.
We welcome contributions from all interested parties, including manufacturers, importers, trade associations, consumers, and others with an interest in machinery regulation.
Machinery Regulation Roundtables
In addition to the written call for evidence, DBT are organising in-person engagement opportunities with relevant officials in the UK, as well as internationally with overseas businesses that supply the UK market.
These roundtables aim to ensure that the voices of all stakeholders, domestic and international, are reflected in our approach. Domestic roundtables will take place in Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff, and Birmingham in August, followed by a London roundtable in October.
We recognise the significant role that international supply chains play in supporting the UK economy, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. DBT will therefore be hosting a series of international roundtables throughout September, to seek input from businesses across the supply chain. This will help us better understand the potential impacts of regulatory changes and identify opportunities to reduce friction and support growth.
Please use this form to register to attend a roundtable in Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham or London.
Please complete this form by Friday 15 August.