EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230, PED Directive and Cyber Resilience Act in canning lines
Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 becomes mandatory on 20 January 2027 without an extended transition period, requiring for the first time that protection against corruption from cyberattacks (essential requirement 1.1.9) be part of the machine’s CE technical file. In parallel, the Cyber Resilience Act (EU) 2024/2847 enforces vulnerability reporting in September 2026 and cybersecurity-by-design requirements in December 2027 for industrial equipment with digital elements.
1. From Directive 2006/42/EC to Regulation (EU) 2023/1230: direct plant impact
Unlike Directive 2006/42/EC, the new Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 applies directly across all EU Member States starting 20 January 2027. For canneries expanding tuna, pelagic or robotic end-of-line facilities, this transition redefines two critical engineering concepts: substantial modification of existing lines and control system integrity against accidental or intentional corruption.
2. Essential Requirement 1.1.9 (Protection against corruption) and Annex III
Annex III of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 introduces section 1.1.9 Protection against corruption and expands 1.2.1 Safety and reliability of control systems:
- Connecting a PLC or HMI to a plant network or remote support link must never lead to a hazardous situation in physical safety loops (emergency stops, hydraulic door interlocks on retorts or cookers).
- Safety-critical software and parameters must enforce integrity checks and intervention logging.
- Safety logic must remain functionally isolated from IT/OT data acquisition channels.
3. Convergence with the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED 2014/68/EU) and CRA (EU) 2024/2847
In pressurized thermal vessels —such as sterilization retorts and steam cookers—, pressure vessel design is governed by Directive 2014/68/EU (PED) and codes such as EN 13445 or ASME VIII Div.1, while the automated functional assembly must comply with machinery safety requirements and the Cyber Resilience Act (EU) 2024/2847 (vulnerability reporting from 11 September 2026; full requirements from 11 December 2027).
4. Technical checklist when specifying new canning machinery
When drafting User Requirement Specifications (URS), plant engineering teams should require segmented remote access gateways certified under IEC 62443, independent safety interlocks for pressurized doors, and risk assessments compliant with EN ISO 12100.
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Engineering frequently asked questions
When does the EU Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 become mandatory?
Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 applies mandatorily from 20 January 2027 across the European Union, replacing Directive 2006/42/EC.
What does requirement 1.1.9 demand in an automated canning line?
It requires that connecting an external device or communicating via a remote network cannot lead to a hazardous physical situation, protecting critical hardware and software against accidental or intentional corruption.
Regulatory bibliography & primary sources
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 — Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2023 on machinery (OJ L 165) EUR-Lex · European UnionFuente oficial
- Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 (CRA) — Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 on horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements (Cyber Resilience Act) EUR-Lex · European UnionFuente oficial
- Directive 2014/68/EU (PED) — Directive 2014/68/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of pressure equipment EUR-Lex · European UnionFuente oficial
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