India Notifies 2025 Amendment to Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety Order

The amendment lays down revised timelines, clarifies standards of compliance, and details exemptions, while also providing industry support measures for smooth implementation.

 

In a move to strengthen industrial safety standards, the Government of India has issued the “Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Amendment Order, 2025”, which modifies the earlier Omnibus Technical Regulation Order, 2024 notified in the Gazette of India on 28th August 2024. The amendment lays down revised timelines, clarifies standards of compliance, and details exemptions, while also providing industry support measures for smooth implementation.

Implementation Timeline and Scope

According to the Amendment Order, the regulation will come into full effect from 1st September 2026 for all machines and electrical equipment listed in the First Schedule of the 2024 Order. For assemblies, sub-assemblies, and components, the effective date will be separately notified by the Central Government through the Official Gazette.

This phased implementation is designed to give manufacturers, especially in the small and medium-scale sector, adequate time to realign their processes with the new safety requirements.

Standards for Compliance

The Order mandates that every machine and electrical equipment specified in the First Schedule must comply with relevant Indian Standards as outlined below:

1. Type A Standards

   • IS 16819:2018 / ISO 12100:2010 – Safety of Machinery: General Principles for Design – Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction.

2. Type B Standards

   • Applicable as per the Second Schedule of the regulation, covering broader safety aspects such as protective devices, controls, and ergonomics.

3. Type C Standards

   • Applicable as per the Third Schedule, focusing on specific categories of machinery.

   • Importantly, if a Type C standard deviates from Type A or B provisions, the Type C standard will take precedence.

This layered framework ensures risk reduction at the design stage, specific technical controls for different machinery types, and sector-focused safety provisions.

Enforcement and Certifying Authority

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has been designated as the certifying and enforcement authority for the regulation. BIS will oversee conformity assessments, certification processes, and enforcement to ensure compliance across the industrial ecosystem.

Exemptions Granted

The Amendment Order clearly identifies categories exempted from the regulation:

• Goods manufactured for export markets (domestically produced but not sold in India).

• Construction equipment already governed by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (MoRTH jurisdiction).

• Products already covered under other orders issued under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016.

These exemptions are expected to prevent overlap of regulatory frameworks and ensure clarity for industries already covered under existing laws.

Support Measures for Industry

Acknowledging the challenges faced by industry stakeholders, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Government has rolled out several support initiatives:

• Pre-registration Portal: A dedicated online portal for domestic manufacturers was launched on 23rd October 2024. As of 31st July 2025, a total of 494 domestic manufacturers have pre-registered on the platform.

• Awareness Programs: Nationwide campaigns and workshops have been conducted in collaboration with industry associations, the Ministry of Heavy Industries, and BIS to educate manufacturers about compliance requirements, certification processes, and safety standards.

These measures aim to smoothen the transition towards compliance, reduce procedural bottlenecks, and create greater awareness of industrial safety practices.

Parliamentary Statement

The details of the Amendment Order were shared by Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Heavy Industries & Steel, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. The Minister emphasized that the updated regulatory framework would not only improve worker and equipment safety but also enhance India’s global competitiveness by aligning domestic machinery and electrical equipment with international standards.

Significance of the Amendment

The Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety framework represents one of the most comprehensive safety regulations in India’s industrial sector. With its phased implementation, clear exemption structure, and extensive industry support measures, the Amendment is expected to:

• Promote safer industrial practices, reducing accidents and risks in workplaces.

• Encourage innovation in machine design, with greater focus on risk assessment.

• Boost confidence in Indian-made machinery and electrical equipment in both domestic and export markets.

By balancing stringent safety compliance with industry facilitation, the Amendment underscores the government’s commitment to building a safer, more competitive, and globally benchmarked industrial ecosystem.