Machinery manual translation requirements: languages and "Original instructions"

Which languages do I need?

You need the official language or languages of each country where you place the machine on the market or put it into service. You do not need all 24.

The European Commission's Guide to application of the Machinery Directive (edition 2.3, §246, PDF) lists the official EU languages used in each Member State:

Where a country has more than one official language, the national rules decide which ones you need. The Guide notes three points (guidance, not law):

• Belgium and Finland may accept one language only, in areas where only that language is spoken.
• Malta and Ireland accept English alone.
• Manufacturers should check with the national authorities concerned.

The directive also applies in some countries outside the EU. According to the same Guide, their national rules ask for:

• Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (through the European Economic Area Agreement): Icelandic, German and Norwegian;
• Switzerland (through an agreement with the EU): French, German and Italian;
• Turkey (through its customs union with the EU): Turkish.

What do "Original instructions" and "Translation of the original instructions" mean?

The directive sets these rules:

1. The instructions are drafted in one or more official EU languages (§1.7.4.1(a)).
2. Every language version that the manufacturer or its authorised representative has verified carries the words "Original instructions" (§1.7.4.1(a)). You may have originals in more than one language (Commission Guide §257).
3. Where no original exists in the language of the country of use, a translation must be provided. It can come from the manufacturer, the authorised representative, or the person bringing the machine into that language area (§1.7.4.1(b)).
4. Each translation carries the words "Translation of the original instructions" (§1.7.4.1(b)), written in the language of that version (Guide §257).
5. A translation must be accompanied by the original instructions (§1.7.4), so that users can check the original if they doubt the translation (Guide §256).
6. There is one exception. Maintenance instructions meant only for specialised staff mandated by the manufacturer or its authorised representative may be in a single EU language that those staff understand (§1.7.4). The manual must then say clearly which tasks are for those staff only (Guide §256).
7. The EC declaration of conformity follows the same rules as the instructions (Annex II 1.A). See EC declaration of conformity for machinery.

Who is responsible for the translation?

Under the directive, the translation is provided by one of three parties: the manufacturer, its authorised representative, or the person bringing the machine into the language area (§1.7.4.1(b)). The Commission's Guide (§257) gives an example of the third case: an importer, distributor or user places the machine on the market in a country for which the manufacturer prepared no original instructions. That person must get a translation from the manufacturer or, failing that, translate the instructions or have them translated.

From 20 January 2027, under Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, the manufacturer must supply the instructions in a language users can easily understand (Article 10(7)). Importers must make sure the instructions come with the machine (Article 13(4)). Distributors must check that the instructions are in such a language before selling (Article 15(2)(c)).

What if my manual is not written in an EU language?

The directive requires the instructions to be drafted in one or more official EU languages, and the words "Original instructions" go on the versions the manufacturer or its authorised representative has verified (§1.7.4.1(a)). A manual that exists only in, for example, Chinese therefore does not meet this rule: you need at least one EU-language version that you have verified and marked "Original instructions".

Manuals in other languages, such as Chinese, Japanese, Turkish or Arabic, are accepted too. Their results come in English, you can answer the questions in English or any EU language you choose, and the corrected manual is written in the EU language you order. That order always includes one translation, so it costs at least €163.99 excluding VAT.

The corrected EU-language manual is marked "Original instructions". You check it and adopt it as the manufacturer. We do not translate pictures that contain text in the original language; you replace them yourself.

Which language rule applies from 2027?

From 20 January 2027, the language rule is in Article 10(7) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 (consolidated text). The instructions, the safety information and the information in Annex III must be "in a language which can be easily understood by users, as determined by the Member State concerned", and "clear, understandable and legible". The Regulation does not contain the "Original instructions" marking. The exception for maintenance instructions for specialised staff stays (Annex III, Part B, §1.7.4). The EU declaration of conformity must be translated into the language or languages the Member State requires (Article 21(2)). More on Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 instructions.

How can EU Manuals help?

EU Manuals checks a machinery manual (Word .docx) against the 22 instruction requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC, Annex I §1.7.4.2, free of charge, and returns a corrected Word manual — written from the manufacturer's answers to its questions — for €149 excluding VAT; translations cost €14.99 per EU language, also excluding VAT. It is an automated pre-review, not a certification.

The check covers the 22 points (a)–(v) of Directive 2006/42/EC, Annex I §1.7.4.2, and nothing more; it is not legal advice, and the manufacturer remains responsible for the manual and the machine.

Each translation is a separate Word file of the corrected manual, marked "Translation of the original instructions" in its own language. Any of the 24 official EU languages can be ordered. Icelandic, Norwegian and Turkish translations are not offered.

Translations are made automatically. The law sets the result, not the method, so have each translation checked by someone who reads the language before you use it. Prices and a comparison with other options: what a machinery manual compliance review costs.

Before you translate, make sure the original covers all the required points: see Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC manual requirements and the free machinery manual checklist.

Frequently asked questions

More guides

• Machinery Directive→
• Machinery Regulation 2023/1230→
• Manual checklist→
• Declaration of conformity→
• EN ISO 20607→
• CE marking & manuals→