Level 1 Header Technische Regelwerke und Normen

Technical Regulations & Standardization
Technical regulations and standardization facilitate economic cooperation and the marketing of products at national and international level. Through the DIN Mechanical Engineering Standards Committee (NAM), the VDMA promotes the competitiveness of the mechanical engineering industry. In addition, the Standardization Department coordinates the preparation of VDMA specifications.

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Themenfeldgrafik Technische Regelwerke

From our content

From our content
Regulatory overview: Your guide through the regulatory jungle

The new regulatory overview keeps you up to date with the most important existing and upcoming regulations in the areas of product safety, operational safety, environmental regulations, sustainability and occupational safety.

Knowledge Machinery Directive

When CE marking machines, important instructions must be observed in order to fulfill the legal obligations. The VDMA has compiled these notes for practical use, which go beyond explanations in the official guide.

Revision of the Machinery Directive

What are the implications for standardization of the proposal for revision of the Machinery Directive published by the European Commission?

VDMA Cyber Resilience Act webinar on 27.03.2025

The EU Cyber Resilience Act is one of the most important regulations for the mechanical engineering industry in the coming years. Find out about the dates, obligations and implementation proposals for the regulation, which will apply at the end of 2027.

VDMA EB 6924X Plant Requirements matrix H2 & Derivatives DE + EU (3)

After the second face-to-face meeting on 8.11.2024 and numerous further online meetings of the 7 sub-working groups, the first drafts and H2 requirements lists are available. (update no. 3)

Overview of Related Regulations in China

This article collects some of the EU counterpart policy developments in China in the past two years for reference.

Chinese National Standards

24 mandatory standards, 405 voluntary standards and 75 translated standards were approved in the past two months.

Drafts of Mandatory Standards and Application Rules

A series of mandatory standard drafts are released for comments, such as agricultural machinery, foundry machinery, metalforming machinery, etc.

Product Catalogue for China Energy Labelling (17th Batch)

A series of implementation rules of China Energy Labelling are approved together with the updated Product Catalogue.

Pilots for Product Carbon Footprint Certification

Pilots for product carbon footprint certification have begun, and related standardization activities have been carried out orderly.

Chinese Catalogues for Import and Export Control (2025)

A series of import and export-related catalogues are released.

CE marking for products for import into the United Kingdom

The import of products with CE marking into the United Kingdom is still permitted. What is the legal basis and is there any official information?

VDMA Info Day EU Regulation Machinery - Fully booked! Waiting list

What are the sticking points of the EU Regulation Machinery and what has the VDMA been able to achieve for its members? What can those responsible for compliance expect?

Details and contents of the “DPP for Machinery” initiative

The VDMA launches the “DPP for Machinery” initiative. Here you will find the current structure and the upcoming content relating to the initiative.

Opening of the “DDP for Machinery” initiative

The VDMA launches the “DPP for Machinery” initiative. The initiative bundles, coordinates and aligns all DPP activities and thus represents the VDMA's association-wide bracket with regard to the topic of digital product passports.

Cyber Resilience Act is published

The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 20.11.2024. The act is an EU Regulation that has legal effect in the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA) without national implementation.

Position paper: Implementation of the digital product passport

In this position paper, the VDMA and its member companies comment on the design and implementation of the Digital Product Passport under the new Ecodesign Regulation.

Chinese National Standards

13 mandatory standards, 327 voluntary national standards and 5 Amendments of national standards were released.

Drafts of Mandatory Standards and Application Rules

A series of mandatory standard drafts are released for comments, such as for construction machinery, packaging machinery, rubber and plastics machinery, foundry machinery, tractors, etc.

China RoHS Increased to Ten Restricted Substances

The No. 1 Amendment of GB/T 26572-2011 Requirements of concentration limits for certain restricted substances in electrical and electronic products is approved.

Chinese Group and Association Standards

Chinese group and association standards are encouraged to be implemented through, testing, certification, inspection, bidding and contract performance.

Overview of regulations: Your guide through the regulatory jungle

Regulations are instruments used to ensure the stability and integrity of markets and industries. They serve to protect consumers, promote fair competition and ensure compliance with legal stability.

Regulations and Mechanical engineering: Between mountains of files and

Bureaucracy holds back innovation and investment in the machinery and plant engineering sector. 

News from the DAfA

The last DAfA Thematic Committee took place on March 26, 2024 and the last DAfA meeting on April 9, 2024.

New guide to the Machinery Directive

The official guide to the Machinery Directive has been revised and published in version 2.3 in English and German. The reason for the revision is the new legal interpretation of digital operating instructions.

VDMA takes a clear position on European Standardization.

Consultation on Regulation (EU) No. 1025/2012: VDMA advocates optimized standardization processes to ensure the efficiency and competitiveness of European industry and to meet modern market requirements

VDMA FAQ on the EU Cyber Resilience Act available

Update! The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) has been published and will enter into force on december 11th. The VDMA has compiled a FAQ document to provide support and non-binding guidance to its members.

Online calculation tool mechanicus.app

Mechanicus optimizes your work processes with straightforward calculations of machine elements. Test reliable calculations for gears, bearings, and more at www.mechanicus.app.

Schlierbacher cheese? Schlierbach machine safety!

The Schlierbach presence experience exchange on machine safety took place for the sixth time on June 10 and 11, 2024. More than 60 participants attended the event on one or both days.

Digital instructions - now possible

The EU Commission, member states and trade associations have agreed that manufacturers of machinery will be able to supply instructions in digital form from April 26, 2024.

EU Machinery Regulation: New obligations - old pitfalls

Between the current Machinery Directive and the new EU Regulation - those responsible for machinery safety are faced with some groundbreaking questions. An overview of obligations and deadlines.

VDMA expert discussion online - Technical regulations USA 15.05.2024

A flashlight on essential requirements for the safe commissioning of machines and systems in the USA in contrast to Europe.

Can prototypes be handed over to a customer?

In some cases, functions of a machine are tested and optimized on site. There is a desire to leave machines without CE marking to the customer for this purpose for a certain period of time.

NAM Annual Report 2023

The NAM annual report is now available for download.

Is there a solution to the deadline problem?

The EU Regulation Machinery will apply from 20 January 2027. The Machinery Directive must be applied by 19 January 2027. How can the manufacturer manage the changeover of the EU Declaration of Conformity in just one day?

Importers - obligations and labeling on the product

Manufacturers based outside the UK who wish to import products, such as machinery, into the UK must appoint an importer and provide details of this.

BIS Certification of low voltage components for India

With a delay of two and a half years, the mandatory certification of low voltage switchgear and controlgear according to the Indian IS/IEC 60947 series of standards will come into force in May 2024.

Are harmonized standards in danger now?

A lawsuit at the ECJ could endanger the entire system of harmonized standards. The planned final proposals of the Advocate General at the ECJ does not bode well.

Comparison of the EU Machinery Regulation with the Machinery Directive

Update: VDMA provides its members with a comparison of the provisions and technical requirements of the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 with those of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC in English and German.

Publication of the new machinery regulation

The text of the new EU Machinery Regulation, adopted in the Permanent Representatives Committee on January 25, 2023, is available for download.

Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC CE marking of machinery

The VDMA Quick Guide explains the manufacturer's obligations, in particular with regard to the conformity assessment procedure.

Newsletter "Mechanical engineering standardization in China

Current developments in the field of standardization and market access in China.

Database "Machinery safety standards"

The database "Machinery safety standards" helps manufacturers and users of standards to find their way through the jungle of standards.

Blue Guide - new version published

The Blue Guide is the central document explaining overarching provisions on CE marking. The version from 2016 has been updated.

ISO/TC 112 WG 1 "Vacuum pumps"

Dr. Magnus Janicki Convenor for another three years

VDMA offers expertise on technical regulations in third countries

The complexity of legal requirements for all products in the field of application of mechanical and plant engineering is constantly increasing. For this reason, the VDMA supports its member companies in opening up foreign markets with comprehensive expertise on the locally applicable regulations.

Study on the European Standardization System

Call for participation in the survey on the study by E&Y and Menon, which examines the European standardisation system and aims to improve innovation and competitiveness.

Focus: Anti-Counterfeiting And Brand Protection

On May 20, 2021, the Industrial Printing Working Group met virtually to discuss "Anti-Counterfeiting, Brand Protection - Solutions for Packaging and Label Printing".

CEN/TR 22100-1: Harmonized standards relating to the Machinery Directive

The Technical Report CEN/TR 22100-1 builds a bridge between the world of standardization and the European Single Market legislation for machinery.

Standardization strategy "China Standards 2035

China is currently formulating a new standardization strategy. Increasingly, attempts are being made to introduce national Chinese standards as the basis for an international standardization project.

VDMA Specifications and OPC UA Companion Specifications

VDMA Specifications and OPC UA Companion Specifications
VDMA 40444:2025-05

OPC UA for Textile Testing Devices

Draft VDMA 34189-1:2025-05

Cutting Tool Exchange format (CTE) – Part 1: Basics and definitions

VDMA 40082-3:2025-04

OPC UA interfaces for plastics and rubber machinery – Peripheral devices – Part 3: LSR Dosing Systems

Draft VDMA 40505:2025-05

OPC UA for Wireless Machine Tool Peripheralsiption

VDMA 40200:2025-04

OPC UA for weighing technology

OPC UA in Battery Cell Manufacturing: Progress of the Working Group

Together for Unified, Global Standards – An Insight into the Structure and Working Methods of the New Working Group for Interface Standardization in Battery Cell Manufacturing.

Draft VDMA 24389:2025-04

Blasting technology – equipment for dry-ice-blasting – Safety requirements

VDMA 40570:2025-04

OPC UA for wire harness manufacturing

VDMA 40210:2025-04

OPC UA for Geometric Measurement Systems

VDMA 66417:2023-08

Mode of Operation Maintenance (MO MT) – Safety Requirements for an additional Mode of Operation

Data Spaces: the key to digital sovereignty

Data Spaces enable secure data exchange and unlock untapped potential. Hannover Messe 2025 offers the ideal platform to present the current state of the industry.

Application of smoke and heat exhaust ventilators in smoke extraction systems

The aim of the VDMA 24001 standard sheet is to be recognized in future as a technical rule and to be taken into account in the model administrative regulation for technical building regulations (MVV TB).

VDMA 35111:2025-03

Method for calculating the product carbon footprint (PCF) for precision tools

VDMA 34178:2025-04

Product category rules for the evaluation of the carbon footprint of machine tools and machines for additive manufacturing

VDMA 40740:2025-03

OPC UA for Process Air Extraction and Filtration Systems (PAEFS)

VDMA 34100:2025-03

OPC UA for Energy Consumption Management

Draft VDMA 40001-101:2025-03

OPC UA for Machinery – Part 101: Result Transfer

Draft VDMA 40001-1:2025-03

OPC UA for Machinery – Part 1: Basic Building Blocks

VDMA 40540:2025-02

OPC UA for Additive Manufacturing

VDMA 4315-1:2025-02

Turbomachinery and generators – Application of the principles of functional safety – Part 1: Methods for determination of the necessary risk reduction

VDMA 24365:2025-02

Inspection of surface treatment equipment, machines and plants

Draft VDMA 24001:2025-02

Powered smoke and heat control ventilators (Fans) for use in powered smoke extraction systems

OPC UA at glasstec 2024

DescriptionDemonstrator at the VDMA stand – Interoperability between planning systems and machines.

Draft VDMA 40087:2025-01

OPC UA interfaces for plastics and rubber machinery – Particle Foam Machines

Draft VDMA 40719:2025-01

OPC UA for plasma surface treatment

Draft VDMA 40550-1:2025-01

OPC UA for Woodworking Machines – Part 1: Vertical Interface

VDMA EB 6924X Plant Requirements matrix for H2 & Derivatives DE + EU

At an initial public meeting on 3.9.2024 at the VDMA in Frankfurt, almost 50 experts specified the aim and focus of the project and defined working groups. Initial results will be discussed on 8.11.2024. (Update no. 2)

OPC UA Companion Specification for the Powertrain completed

OPC UA for the Powertrain stands for a manufacturer-independent information model of the electric drive system. The OPC UA Companion Specification 40400-1 on asset management will be available from November 1, 2024.

VDMA 40504-1:2024-11

OPC UA for Cutting Tools – Part 1: Manufacturing

Technology Stage powered by VDMA/ZVEI for SPS 2024

In 2024, the VDMA and the ZVEI are once again organizing a forum for the SPS, the "Technology Stage powered by VDMA/ZVEI" with many interesting presentations and panel discussions.

VDMA 40501-1:2024-11

OPC UA for Machine Tools – Part 1: Machine Monitoring and Job Management

VDMA 40400-1:2024-11

OPC UA for Powertrain – Part 1: Asset Management

Draft VDMA 40450-1:2024-11

OPC UA for Joining Systems – Part 1: Base

Draft VDMA 40091:2024-11

OPC UA interfaces for Plastics and Rubber machinery – Winder

VDMA 11499:2024-11

Operation and use of refrigerated display cabinets

VDMA 40301:2024-10

OPC UA for flat glass processing

Draft VDMA 40082-5:2024-10

OPC UA interfaces for plastics and rubber machinery – Peripheral devices – Part 5: Moulds

New OPC UA CS for shot blasting is coming

The cooperation of numerous manufacturers of shot blasting machines has resulted in a new OPC UA standard, which is about to be published. A further step towards interoperable production.

Product category rules for thermo processing equipment

Development of a product category rule for determining the CO2 footprint of thermo processing equipment - call for cooperation in the development of a VDMA standard sheet.

OPC UA for electrolyzers

The advantages of OPC UA should also be available for electrolysers in the future. A working group with members from VDMA and the OPC Foundation is now working on this.

Joint Working Group Industrie 4.0 / OPC UA Drive Technology

International working group for the development of OPC UA Companion Specifications in drive technology.

Draft VDMA 40082-4:2024-09

OPC UA interfaces for plastics and rubber machinery – peripheral devices – Part 4: Dosing Systems

VDMA 34171:2024-09

Determination of the dynamic coefficient of friction on flexible material webs

VDMA 34191:2024-08

Code letters for subclasses of objects to be applied for reference marking on machine tools

Draft VDMA 24247-2:2024-08

Energy efficiency of refrigerating systems – Part 2: Energetic assessment of refrigeration systems and components

VDMA 24994:2024-08

Test requirements for fire-protection storage cabinets for lithium-ion batteries in the case of thermal runaway

New OPC UA CS for plasma treatment is coming

The cooperation of numerous manufacturers of plasma surface treatment machines has resulted in a new OPC UA standard, which is about to be published. A further step towards interoperable production.

PA-DIM Working Group Releases Version 1.1 with Analyzer Device Support

The PA-DIM Working Group has released Version 1.1 of the standard, expanding to include support for analyzer device types and data modeling extensions. This enhancement improves interoperability for process applications in automation.

AI in Industry: Expanding Horizons through Interoperability

AI is revolutionizing mechanical engineering. Its use in control systems for monitoring and optimization needs specific data formats. OPC UA ensures seamless data exchange, easing AI integration and expanding its role in automation.

Data Spaces and OPC UA: A look at the umati demonstrator

The umati initiative shows a demonstrator for federated data spaces together with Siemens, WZL Aachen, Telekom and VDMA. This integrates existing applications and emphasises standardised data in order to establish global data ecosystems.

Our expert and focus topics

Our expert and focus topics
Overview of regulations
Your guide through the regulatory jungle. Regulations are instruments used to ensure the stability and integrity of markets and industries. They serve to protect consumers, promote fair competition and ensure compliance with legal stability.
VDMA Specifications
VDMA Specifications are technical rules that are efficiently developed on a wide variety of topics in mechanical engineering within VDMA working groups.
Machinery Directive
The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC defines uniform health and safety requirements for machinery and equivalent products for free trade within the European Economic Area.
Ecodesign Regulation and Digital Product Passport
The new Ecodesign Regulation replaces the previous directive and extends the scope of the directive from energy-related products to all products. As a result, only safe, circular and sustainable products will be permitted on the EU internal market in future.
Product Safety EU
The regulations on the marketing of products, especially on product safety, are fully harmonised in the European Union. This applies by extension to the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Turkey, which have adopted the regulations on CE marking 1:1.
Product safety Non-EU
The continuous increase of national requirements for the product properties of complete machines and plants, but also for spare and wear parts, represents a particular challenge for the European mechanical and plant engineering industry with its high export rate.
Cybersecurity
When it comes to security at the VDMA, everything revolves around protecting machines and systems in production, manufacturing or intralogistics from attacks and disruptions. The aim of these organizational and technical protective measures is to develop cyber-resilient machines and systems and trustworthy services while reliably maintaining their permanent operation.
Circular Economy
The more people live on earth, the greater the demand for resources, the mountains of waste and the emission of climate gases are likely to become. In the future, it will no longer be enough to make raw material extraction and material processing more efficient.
Fire protection & smoke extraction
There are frequent reports of fire disasters in high-rise buildings, industrial buildings and areas where large numbers of people congregate: here, plant technology-related fire protection involving smoke protection pressure systems and mechanical smoke extraction systems not only ensures that people can safely evacuate the building, but also provides maximum support for the fire department while extinguishing fires.

Level 1 Themenwolke

Podigee

To the point

To the point

Auf den Punkt Zitat Technical Regulations

"The legal provisions on digital operating instructions, assembly instructions, EU Declaration of Conformity and EU Declaration of Incorporation are important steps towards meeting the challenges of digitalization. The VDMA fully supports the EU Commission's decision to apply these provisions under the Machinery Directive 2006/2/EC, as this will make it possible to digitize these documents before 20 January 2027."

Thomas Kraus, Machinery Directive expert at VDMA

Auf den Punkt Zahl Technical Regulations

115

billion euros

is the amount that the European mechanical engineering industry (EU-27) will have earned in 2022 from exports to the USA and the BRIC countries.

Source: VDMA

Auf den Punkt Zusammenfassung Technische Regelwerke

Summary
New EU Machinery Regulation
  • Digitalization is taken into account: operating instructions, assembly instructions, EU Declaration of Conformity and Declaration of Incorporation may be supplied digitally in accordance with the Commission Decision
  • Horizontal legal regulation on cybersecurity in the form of the Cyber Resilience Act instead of integration into the EU Machinery Regulation
  • Inclusion of the characteristics and legal consequences of a substantial change in the new regulation

VdmaSambaEvents

Events

Mon. 17.03.25 Tue. 18.03.25

  • Europe

#VDMASummit - 2nd VDMA European Summit

Bright ideas for innovation, digital transformation and attracting talents

Places available

Our services

Our services
Machinery Directive Knowledge
VDMA members will find the necessary technical knowledge compactly compiled here
Machine Safety Standards Database
The machine safety standards database helps manufacturers and those applying standards navigate their way through the jungle of standards.
Database VDMA-Specifications
The VDMA-Specification Database contains the full text versions of the VDMA-Specification sheets.
Standards & VDMA Specifications – Technical Rules for the mechanical engineering industry
Standardization as a strategic instrument for corporate management is one of the core tasks of the VDMA.
VDMA Technology Policy Steering Committee and our working groups
The Technology Policy Steering Committee is responsible for the technology policy positioning of the mechanical and plant engineering industry. The "Machinery Directive", "Cybersecurity", "Occupational Health and Safety" and "Accreditation" working groups report to it. They draw up proposals for positioning the mechanical engineering industry in the respective subject areas, promote exchange between members and maintain close contact with political decision-makers and other trade associations.
Newsletter "Mechanical engineering standardization in China"
For the German mechanical engineering industry, China is one of the most important export markets. This newsletter provides you with information on current developments in the field of standardization and market access in China.
Official Guide Machinery Directive
German translation of the Guide to Application of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC - Edition 2.2.
German Market Surveillance Forum (DMÜF)
All information on the Market Surveillance Forum's activities, which advises and supports the German government on market surveillance issues within the scope of Regulation (EC) No. 765/2008.
Continuing Education - Quality & Standardization
One aspect is always at the forefront when it comes to quality management issues: the goal of providing reliable and high quality to customers. Learn more about our current offerings in the area of quality and standardization and find the right training for you!

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DIN-Normenausschuss Maschinenbau (NAM)
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Globalprojekt Qualitätsinfrastruktur

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Benefits for you as a member

Largest industry network in Europe

3,600 primarily medium-sized member companies in the capital goods industry make the VDMA the largest industrial association in Europe and the most important network organization in the industry.

Strong representation of interests

The VDMA is the most important voice of the machinery and equipment manufacturing industry. It represents the common economic, technical and scientific interests of the industry in Germany and around the world.

A wide range of services

More than 500 VDMA employees worldwide support you with practical services to make the right decisions in your company - along the entire value chain.