Buying new machinery

A short guide to the law and your responsibilities when buying new machinery for use at work

Leaflet under review

This leaflet is currently being updated to reflect recent amendments made to UK product law. Please note that the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (as amended) remain in force in the UK.

Guidance on the use of UKCA and CE marking has changed

You can continue to use the information in this leaflet to help you understand your responsibilities when buying new machinery for use at work, except the guidance on UKCA and CE marking, which has changed.

New machinery placed on the market of Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) must be UKCA or CE marked, supplied with a declaration of conformity, and have instructions in English. There is up to date information on placing manufactured products on the market in Great Britain on GOV.UK.

In this short guide

This leaflet explains the main aspects of health and safety law you need to know when buying new machinery for use at work to ensure it is safe.

The information is in four sections:

• a summary of the law on new machinery
• what you have to do in practice
• more detailed information about machinery supply law
• checklists to use when talking to suppliers and buying new machinery