Regulations in practice.
Short, sourced, no advertising. What is changing in the law for maintenance, inspection and service, and what operators and service providers should do now. Every article with primary sources.
Machine modifications from 20 January: no transition period for ongoing projects
From 20 January 2027, the EU Machinery Regulation determines when a modification or software change makes the modifier the manufacturer. There is no transition period for projects that restart after that date. Harmonized standards and the Commission's interpretation of substantial modification are still missing.
Data Act: operators decide which service provider gets the data
Since September 2025, operators of connected equipment can demand the raw data from their machines and have it passed on to a service provider of their choice. Since 6 November, the European Commission has published model clauses for this, and from September 2027 the law also reviews existing contracts.
Product liability from 9 December: substantial modifications make you the manufacturer
On 9 December, the new German Product Liability Act takes effect. Software and updates then count as a product, and anyone who substantially modifies equipment without the manufacturer's consent is liable like a manufacturer. For operators and service providers, what counts from now on is what they can prove about modifications and updates.
F-gases 2027: The quota halves, the checking duty grows
On 1 January 2027, the EU halves the quantity of HFC refrigerants that may be placed on the market. In March, leak checks follow for air conditioning in trucks, construction machinery and trains. If you operate or service refrigeration, air conditioning or heat pump systems, review your logbook, certificates and top-up strategy now.
Remote maintenance: Manufacturers report to ENISA, operators to the BSI
Since 11 September, manufacturers of gateways, routers and service tools must report actively exploited vulnerabilities to ENISA within 24 hours. Operators covered by the new German BSI Act report significant incidents with the same deadline to the BSI, Germany's Federal Office for Information Security. The service provider in between is not automatically obligated, so the reporting route belongs in the service contract.
Maintenance that thinks ahead.
Show us a service contract or inspection report. We'll show you what vi makes of it.