Machinery Ordinance 2027 in Switzerland – What Manufacturers and Operators Need to Expect

Apr 8
4 min read

Machine safety is getting a major update - and companies in Switzerland need to act now.

With the new European Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which becomes mandatory on 20 January 2027, Switzerland will align its legislation to maintain compatibility with the EU single market.

For manufacturers in mechanical engineering, plant engineering, and automation, this means one thing: early preparation is critical.

When Does the Machinery Ordinance 2027 Come into Force in Switzerland?

The new regulation will apply simultaneously with the EU:

Key date: 20 January 2027
From this date onward, only compliant machinery may be placed on the market
The current Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC will no longer apply

Machines already placed on the market before this date can continue to be operated and sold.

However: Any substantial modification can classify an existing machine as "new", requiring full compliance with the new regulation.

Why Switzerland Is Adopting the EU Machinery Regulation

Without alignment, Swiss companies would face:

additional certification requirements
increased testing effort
trade barriers in EU markets

For export-oriented companies, this would be a significant disadvantage.

What Fundamentally Changes with the New Machinery Regulation?

The biggest difference is already reflected in the name:

Previously	New
Machinery Directive	Machinery Regulation
Required national transposition	Applies directly and uniformly
Room for interpretation	Clear, harmonized rules

This means fewer national deviations - but greater binding obligations for manufacturers.

What Changes in Content Compared to the Previous Machinery Directive?

The new regulation addresses modern technologies that were not considered in 2006:

1. Software Becomes Safety-Relevant

Software is now part of the safety assessment. Manufacturers must ensure:

secure control systems
protection against manipulation
traceable updates

2. Cybersecurity Is Now Mandatory

Risks such as remote access and data manipulation are explicitly regulated.

Especially relevant for:

connected machines
remote maintenance
Industrial IoT systems

3. Artificial Intelligence and Adaptive Systems

Machines that learn or adapt must be continuously assessed and documented.

4. Expanded Documentation Requirements

Technical documentation must now include:

lifecycle considerations
digital functions
functional safety

5. Stricter Conformity Assessments

High-risk machines may require more frequent involvement of notified bodies.

Digital Operating Instructions: A Key Requirement

One of the most important and often underestimated changes is the requirement for digital operating instructions.

Manufacturers must ensure that documentation:

can be downloaded, stored, and printed
is accessible online via the internet
remains available for at least 10 years

This turns documentation into a compliance-critical system, not just a file.

Challenges with Traditional Documentation (PDF & Embedded Systems)

PDF-Based Documentation

Advantages:

easy to distribute
printable
language selection possible

Limitations:

depends on internet availability
not always accessible in critical situations
difficult to maintain and update
not suitable for dynamic machine configurations

Documentation in Machine Software

Advantages:

directly available on the machine
context-specific information

Limitations:

unavailable during system failure
not accessible during installation or transport
complex update processes
not suitable for Industry 4.0 applications

The Future: Smart Digital Operating Instructions

To fully comply with the Machinery Ordinance 2027, companies must move toward smart documentation systems.

A modern approach enables:

real-time updates
context-sensitive instructions
multimedia integration (images, videos, workflows)
user-specific and configuration-based content
reduced liability risks through traceability

But: digital alone is not enough.Documentation must also be available online and managed through structured processes.

How vSTAGE Supports Machinery Regulation Compliance

With increasing requirements around digital documentation, lifecycle availability, and traceability, traditional tools quickly reach their limits.

This is where vSTAGE provides a clear advantage:

Flexible Documentation Output

Export instructions as Word or PDF
Automatically generate step-by-step instructions with images

Easy Access & Distribution

Provide documentation via download links
Make operating instructions available online

Multi-Format Documentation

Combine PDFs, videos, and interactive guides
Support modern Industry 4.0 use cases

Lifecycle Compliance

Ensure documentation availability for 10+ years
Store and manage content centrally

Always Up-to-Date

Fast and simple updates
Consistent version control

Context-Sensitive Information

Deliver the right content based on:
- user role
- machine configuration
- application context

vSTAGE transforms documentation from a static obligation into a scalable, compliant, and cost-efficient system.

Why Companies Should Act Now

Even though 2027 seems far away, the impact is already visible today:

development processes must include software and documentation
risk assessments become more complex
documentation must be structured and digital
compliance requires cross-functional collaboration

Companies that delay risk:

higher costs
delayed product launches
compliance issues

Ready to Prepare for Machinery Ordinance 2027?

If you want to simplify compliance and reduce implementation costs:

Get in touch with us to see how vSTAGE can support your transition.

Sources and further information:

Verordnung (EU) 2023/1230 über Maschinen. Europäisches Parlament und Rat, veröffentlicht im Amtsblatt der Europäischen Union, 29.06.2023.
Maschinenrichtlinie 2006/42/EG (bisherige Rechtsgrundlage. Europäisches Parlament und Rat, gültig bis zur vollständigen Ablösung am 20.01.2027.
SECO. Produktsicherheit und Maschinen. Fachinformationen zur Umsetzung der Maschinenvorschriften und zur Marktüberwachung in der Schweiz.
Swissmem. Brancheninformationen zur neuen EU-Maschinenverordnung und deren Bedeutung für exportorientierte Schweizer Unternehmen.
EU-Kommission. Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW). Hintergrunddokumente, Leitfäden und FAQ zur neuen Maschinenverordnung (EU) 2023/1230.
Normenorganisationen (z. B. ISO / CEN / CENELEC). Laufende Harmonisierung technischer Normen zur Unterstützung der neuen Anforderungen an Sicherheit, Digitalisierung und funktionale Sicherheit.
WEKA. Elisabeth Maurer. Die Betriebsanleitung in der neuen Maschinenverordnung (EU) 2023/1230: ein Faktencheck.