20 January 2027
Machinery Regulation 2027: your instructions, ready on time.
What many call the Machinery Directive 2027 is Regulation (EU) 2023/1230. From 20 January 2027 it replaces Directive 2006/42/EC and changes how a machine’s instructions are written and supplied.
This page explains the regulation; it is not legal advice, and TwinWorks does not certify compliance. The reference is the official text on EUR-Lex.
Regulation (EU) 2023/1230
Three changes for your manual.
- Digital is allowed Instructions can be supplied in digital format, under the conditions of Article 10(7).
- Paper on request A user can ask for paper at the time of purchase, free of charge, within one month.
- The declaration can be a link The EU declaration of conformity can be an internet address or a machine-readable code given in the instructions.
Going digital. Four checks first.
Article 10(7) sets seven conditions. Read all seven.
- Say where they are. Mark on the machine how to reach the instructions.
- Keep them printable. Users must be able to print, download and save them.
- Keep them online. For the machine’s expected lifetime, and at least 10 years.
- Keep safety on paper. For non-professional users, the essential safety information stays on paper.
What to do now. Pick your starting point.
- Check what your instructions must containChecklistA few answers in. A PDF out. Nothing is sent.
- Read what changes from the DirectiveGlossaryDates, scope and the seven conditions.
- Rewrite the manual from your PDF or Word filesTwinWorksEditable drafts your experts review, approve and publish.
- Start a manual from a blank pageTemplateA user manual template for Word.
Where TwinWorks fits
The manual itself. Not the conformity.
TwinWorks turns the PDF or Word manuals you have into editable drafts, and publishes them on the web by link or QR code and as PDF. Your team keeps responsibility for conformity.
Questions
What is the Machinery Directive 2027?
It is the name many people give to Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, the EU Machinery Regulation. It replaces the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and applies from 20 January 2027. As a regulation, it applies directly in every Member State, without national transposition.
When does the EU Machinery Regulation apply?
From 20 January 2027. On that date Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 replaces the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. Machinery placed on the market under the Directive before then can still be made available afterwards.
Can machine instructions be supplied only in digital format?
Yes, under Article 10(7): the machine must say how to reach them, users must be able to print, download and save them, and they must stay online for the machine’s expected lifetime and at least 10 years. Users can still ask for paper at the time of purchase, and machinery that non-professionals may use needs its essential safety information on paper.
What should a machine builder do before 20 January 2027?
Check the instructions of each machine against Annex III, section 1.7.4. Decide which machines get digital instructions under Article 10(7), and mark on the machine how to reach them. The free checklist keeps only the points that apply to your machine. It is a working aid, not legal advice.
Does TwinWorks make instructions compliant?
No. TwinWorks is software for writing, reviewing and publishing manuals and work instructions, on the web and as PDF. It does not certify compliance: your team keeps responsibility for conformity.
Check your instructions against the Regulation
Go through the instruction requirements of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 one by one with the free checklist. It is a working aid, not legal advice.
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