After consultation with industry experts a final decision has been taken by the European Commission machinery working group to extend the transition period for machinery directive EN 954-1 to the end of December 2011.

The transitional period for EN-9451 on machine safety provides a presumption of conformity to the new Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

The position had been unclear as an earlier decision to extend the transition period to 2012 was rescinded, and a cut-off date of December 2009 was set.

The additional time has been granted to allow a sufficient period to prepare for full conformity with the new directive.