New Machinery Safety Regulations: A Double-Edged Sword for MSMEs

The new safety regulations issued by the government for machinery and electrical equipment will impact MSMEs and delay essential imports, says GTRI. MSMEs face challenges in compliance due to financial and technical constraints. GTRI suggests a phased timeline and increased support to help the industry transition.

The government's new machinery and electrical equipment safety regulations are set to impact the MSME sector and delay crucial imports, according to a report by Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) on Monday.

GTRI recommends extending the compliance timeline, implementing changes in phases, and providing government support to help MSMEs tackle the financial, technical, and infrastructural challenges posed by the new regulations.

Introduced on August 28, 2024, the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order will take effect on August 28, 2025, and aims to standardize safety practices in line with global norms, affecting around 1,50,000 manufacturers, particularly MSMEs.

(With inputs from agencies.)