CECE Technical Week – September 2025 Edition: A season of strategic alignment and regulatory foresight

The Technical Week kicked off with the PT Electrification meeting focused on the evolving regulatory and technical challenges linked to zero-emission machinery, including standardisation efforts. Members discussed the activities of the Emissieloos Netwerk Infra (ENI), a stakeholder group working to develop open market standards for zero-emission construction machinery. CECE will continue monitoring this initiative closely, particularly regarding its alignment with ISO and CEN standardisation efforts. The group also reviewed updates to the Matrix of Standards on Electrification. Moreover, ElaadNL was invited to present its work on interoperability, power quality, and smart charging for electric construction machinery. Their testing helps identify practical challenges with chargers and grid conditions, offering insights for standardisation and smoother electrification on construction sites. Finally and looking ahead, the team began outlining priorities for 2026–2027, with further input to be gathered from national trade associations. 

PT 3R addressed a wide range of environmental and chemicals legislation. The group reviewed the updated PFAS restriction proposal under REACH, with a focus on the proposed derogations for lubricants, refrigerants and machinery applications in industrial uses. The CECE Secretariat reported on its recent participation in the RAC and SEAC September meetings and confirmed its continued engagement in the ECHA’s Committees’ December sessions on horizontal issues, including spare parts. On the EU Batteries Regulation (EUBR), the group received an update on the battery due diligence obligations: Alex Graf, Manager at KUMI Consulting, joined the meeting as a guest speaker to report on the state of play of the KUMI’s project regarding draft guidance for battery due diligence implementation and recognition schemes, commissioned by the European Commission. The session on the EUBR concluded with an update on the labelling requirements and carbon footprint declaration. CECE’s recommendations for the upcoming Environmental Omnibus were also presented. The meeting concluded by touching upon the recent developments related to Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the implementation of the F-gas Regulation, and an update on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation. 

Wednesday’s meetings kicked off with PT Data, which mainly focused on the implementation of the Data Act, Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), and AI Act regulations. Starting with the Data Act,  the discussion revolved around the updated version of the Commission’s FAQ document In addition, the CECE position paper on the upcoming Digital Omnibus Simplification Package was also discussed. The interplay between the CRA and Machinery Regulation was a key discussion point, particularly regarding risk assessments and technical documentation. 

PT Machinery held in-depth discussions on the evolving interpretation of substantial modification. CECE remains actively involved in the work led by Orgalim to draft an industry interpretation, as well as in the relevant subgroup discussions. The group also reviewed progress on the remaining requirements analysed as part of the ongoing work on the Machinery Regulation Guide to Application, including subgroup activities on seating, overhead power lines, protection against corruption and vibration. The PTM group also discussed the ongoing Call for Evidence on the revision of the Standardisation Regulation and the next steps in the process. CECE presented its position paper on the impact of revised standardisation procedures, that is now published in the CECE website, highlighting concerns around EN 474 and the HAS assessment process. The group also discussed the points CECE would like to raise during the upcoming Machinery Expert Group meeting on November 7th, including the abovementioned position paper, the finalised market surveillance brochures, and a joint position paper, also cosigned by FEM, EGMF and CECIMO, to request to postpone the application of cybersecurity and AI-related provisions in the Machinery Regulation. 

The Technical Commission (TC) convened on 2 October to conclude the September Technical Week with a comprehensive review of CECE’s ongoing initiatives and strategic priorities. The session began with updates on CECE administrative matters, including the preparations for the upcoming JTLM 2026, which will be hosted by AEM in Dallas, Texas.  

TC members were reported on the UK’s evolving product-related regulatory landscape post-Brexit, including the UK Government’s consultation on machinery safety legislation and alignment with the revised EU Outdoor Noise Directive, and updates on the EU/UK Mutual Recognition Agreement on conformity assessment.  

The September TC quarterly meeting concluded with a key topic of discussion with a session dedicated to the Commission’s work and next steps on the New Legislative Framework (NLF) revision. TC members received updates from Ms. Felicia Stoica, Head of Unit on Market Surveillance in DG GROW, where the CECE members held an extensive conversation on their position and its alignment with the upcoming targeted consultations. A presentation on the REACH revision, which is expected by the end of 2025 (tbc) was also delivered.  On market surveillance, members were briefed on the launch of CECE’s new brochures and online platform to support the identification of non-compliant machinery. The next Technical Week will take place in Brussels from 1^st to 4^th December 2025.