TÜV Rheinland officially recognised by EU as ‘Notified Body’

Thomas Koester, global head of the technical competence centre for industrial machinery at TÜV Rheinland. Photo: TÜV Rheinland

The world is increasingly being shaped by machines which are becoming smarter, more powerful and more versatile. With the new EU Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, the European Commission is setting new standards for the protection of people and technology. TÜV Rheinland, a leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services, is now playing a key role in this as the EU Commission has officially recognised the company as a ‘Notified Body’ for testing and certification according to the new Machinery Regulation. As a result, TÜV Rheinland is not able to provide comprehensive support to companies to comply with the standards.

Thomas Koester, global head of the technical competence centre for industrial machinery at TÜV Rheinland, explained: “The main changes to the Machinery Directive relate to the digitalisation and connectivity of machines. The focus is on artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, human-robot collaboration and the networking of machines via the internet. In this context, the EU Commission has defined stricter health and safety requirements, such as protection through software updates and protection against cyber-attacks.”

Machinery Directive
The regulation explicitly applies to machinery and related products such as interchangeable equipment, safety components, load-handling equipment, chains, ropes, belts, cardan shafts and partly completed machinery. Aircraft, motor vehicles, agricultural tractors and most household and office appliances are among the exceptions.

From 20 January 2027, manufacturers will have to comply with the new requirements of the Machinery Directive. Mr Koester said: “Manufacturers of industrial machinery should prepare for the new requirements at an early stage and use the transition period to adapt their machines and processes accordingly.”

As a Notified Body, TÜV Rheinland offers manufacturers support in the form of testing and certification services in accordance with the new health and safety requirements. For example, the company’s experts can check the plausibility of cyber security documents and carry out individual conformity assessments. By preparing early, manufacturers can avoid downtime and additional costs and get their machines onto the European market faster, and TÜV Rheinland can provide support with tailored testing procedures and ensure that companies can effectively implement the new requirements.