Machinery Expert Group (MEG): Key outcomes from the April 2026 meeting

• The MEG meeting reviewed progress on a Commission study analyzing machinery accident data to support potential updates to the high-risk machinery list, emphasizing the need to distinguish accident causes.

• Work continues on the Guide to the Application of the Machinery Regulation, covering key safety and technical topics like safety functions and digital documentation.

• The Commission plans to transfer most harmonised standards from the Machinery Directive to the Machinery Regulation, conducting a gap analysis focused on new safety aspects such as AI, cybersecurity, and autonomous behavior.

• Updates were provided on standardisation, market surveillance, and regulatory revisions, with the next MEG meeting scheduled for October 2026.

The European Commission’s MEG met on 27 April 2026 to discuss key developments related to the implementation of the Machinery Regulation (MR), standardisation activities and other horizontal regulatory files with relevance for the machinery sector.

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A central point of discussion concerned the ongoing Commission‑mandated study on machinery‑related accident data, aimed at supporting possible future revisions of the list of high‑risk machinery. The Commission confirmed that the data collection and comparative analysis phases have been completed, while work is ongoing on translating legal risk criteria into measurable indicators. Throughout the discussion, stakeholders underlined the importance of distinguishing between accidents linked to design or conformity assessment shortcomings and those resulting from misuse or unforeseeable behaviour, noting current limitations in available EU‑level data.

Progress was also reported on the drafting of the Guide to the Application of the MR, coordinated by the dedicated Editorial Group and its five technical subgroups. Work is advancing on topics such as substantial modification, safety functions, safety components, seating and restraint systems, vibration and digital documentation.

Attention was also given to the transfer and citation of harmonised standards under the Machinery Regulation. The Commission reiterated its objective of ensuring legal continuity by carrying over the vast majority of existing harmonised standards from the Machinery Directive (MD), excluding only those that are clearly obsolete or withdrawn. A dedicated gap analysis focuses exclusively on new or updated Essential Health and Safety Requirements, notably those related to AI‑based safety functions, cybersecurity, autonomous behaviour and rollover risks. Where gaps are identified, standards will be cited with restrictions, without being rejected outright. The Commission indicated that the first batch of standard citations under the MR is expected in the course of the third quarter of 2026.

Updates were further provided on standardisation activities, including the final listings of harmonised standards under the MD and the recently published Implementing decision 2026/546. The Commission also informed the group about the state of play of the revision of the Standardisation Regulation and the Market Surveillance Regulation, which is expected to form part of the upcoming European Product Act package. The proposals are expected in Q3 2026.

Other items discussed included market surveillance activities, coordination of notified bodies under the MR, the revision of the New Legislative Framework, and ongoing work on the Digital Product Passport.

Finally, the Commission stressed that concerning the Outdoor Noise Directive, there is no longer a need to send a physical copy of Declaration of Conformity accompanying the noise values.

The next MEG meeting is tentatively scheduled to take place online on 22 October 2026.