The regulations set the schedule.
A dozen regulations determine how assets are operated, inspected, maintained and modified. For each one: what it means for operators, which deadlines apply and where the primary source is. As of November 2026.
What applies when.
- 11 Mar 2024F-gas Reg.F-gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573
- 20 Feb 2025MPBetreibVGerman Medical Devices Operator Ordinance (Medizinprodukte-Betreiberverordnung)
- 12 Sep 2025Data ActData Act (EU) 2023/2854
- 31 Jul 2026R2RRight to Repair Directive (EU) 2024/1799
- 11 Sep 2026CRACyber Resilience Act (EU) 2024/2847
- 9 Dec 2026PLDProduct Liability Directive (EU) 2024/2853
- 20 Jan 2027Machinery Reg.Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230
- 2 Aug 2028AI ActArtificial Intelligence Act (EU) 2024/1689
Duties, deadlines, sources.
Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230
Replaces the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and applies directly in all member states from 20 January 2027. New provisions include requirements for software in safety functions, protection against tampering, digital operating instructions and an explicit rule on substantial modification.
Cyber Resilience Act (EU) 2024/2847
Cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements, which includes controllers, gateways, remote maintenance modules and service software. Since 11 September 2026, manufacturers have had to report actively exploited vulnerabilities and severe incidents. All obligations apply from 11 December 2027.
Data Act (EU) 2023/2854
Regulates who may use data from connected products. Users, including operators of machines and equipment, are entitled to the product data and can have it passed on to third parties, for example an independent service provider.
Product Liability Directive (EU) 2024/2853
Extends no-fault product liability to software, updates and digital services. Anyone who substantially modifies a product outside the manufacturer's control is liable like a manufacturer. Germany has implemented the directive with a new Product Liability Act (Produkthaftungsgesetz), which applies to products placed on the market from 9 December 2026.
Artificial Intelligence Act (EU) 2024/1689
Regulates AI systems by risk. AI in safety functions of machines, elevators or medical devices can count as a high-risk system. The Digital Omnibus (Regulation (EU) 2026/1744) postponed the deadlines: high-risk obligations for products under Annex I apply from 2 August 2028.
NIS2 Directive (EU) 2022/2555
Obliges essential and important entities in 18 sectors to manage risks and to report security incidents. This expressly includes supply chain security, and therefore also service providers with remote access to assets. In Germany the BSI (Federal Office for Information Security) is responsible.
German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (Betriebssicherheitsverordnung)
Basis for the provision, operation and inspection of work equipment in Germany. In the risk assessment, the employer determines the type, scope and intervals of inspections. For installations requiring monitoring, such as elevators and pressure installations, Annex 2 sets maximum intervals and names approved inspection bodies.
DGUV Regulation 3: Electrical Installations and Equipment
Accident prevention regulation of the German statutory accident insurance. Electrical installations and equipment must be inspected by a qualified electrician before first commissioning and at defined intervals. The implementing instructions give guideline values; the specific intervals follow from the risk assessment.
DGUV Regulation 68: Industrial Trucks
Accident prevention regulation for forklifts and other industrial trucks. It requires an inspection by a qualified person at least once a year, as well as the authorization and instruction of drivers.
F-gas Regulation (EU) 2024/573
Regulates fluorinated greenhouse gases in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems. Leak tests depend on the charge in CO₂ equivalent. Record-keeping obligations and bans on certain refrigerants in servicing and new systems are phased in step by step.
Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU
Regulates design, manufacture and conformity assessment of pressure equipment such as vessels, piping and safety accessories. In Germany, operation and periodic inspections are governed by BetrSichV (German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health).
German Medical Devices Operator Ordinance (Medizinprodukte-Betreiberverordnung)
A newly revised version of the ordinance has applied since 20 February 2025. For devices under Annex 1, safety checks are required at least every two years; for devices with a measuring function under Annex 2, metrological checks. Operators keep an inventory register and a medical device logbook.
Right to Repair Directive (EU) 2024/1799
Obliges manufacturers of certain consumer products, such as washing machines, refrigerators or smartphones, to repair at reasonable prices and to offer spare parts. It targets consumers but shapes the market for spare parts and independent repair as a whole.
For orientation, not legal advice. The linked texts in their current versions are authoritative.
Meet your obligations, skip the paperwork.
Inspections, deadlines, defects, evidence: vi turns requirements into tasks with due dates.