From January 14, 2027, Regulation 2023/1230 will come into effect, introducing new regulations for machines and related products. These changes are particularly significant for manufacturers of furniture with electrical components, such as height-adjustable desks, beds with electrically controlled headrests, wardrobes, and drawers with automatic opening mechanisms. If a piece of furniture meets the definition of a machine, its manufacturer will need to comply with new safety standards, conformity assessment procedures, and documentation requirements.
What does this mean in practice? What steps must a manufacturer take to ensure their products can be legally sold under the new regulations? Below, you will find detailed guidelines to help avoid compliance risks and market entry issues.
Do electric furniture fall under Regulation 2023/1230?
According to the new regulation, a machine is defined as an assembly of interconnected components, at least one of which moves due to a power source other than human or animal muscle force. This means that any piece of furniture equipped with an electric drive (e.g., actuators, motors, lifting mechanisms) may be classified as a machine and must comply with additional requirements.
If your product:
- Has an electric adjustment system (height, tilt angle, extension of components),
- Is powered by electricity (either directly from the mains or a battery),
- Contains moving parts that could pose a risk to users,
then it likely falls under the new regulations and requires additional testing and certification.
Important! If a piece of furniture does not have an electrical power supply and its moving parts are manually operated, it is not subject to this regulation.
Obligations of electric furniture manufacturers – step by step
If your product qualifies as a machine, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Hazard analysis and risk assessment
Before placing a product on the market, the manufacturer must identify potential hazards and ways to eliminate them. For electric furniture, these may include:
- Risk of entrapment (e.g., fingers or hands getting caught in sliding mechanisms),
- Compliance with electrical standards to prevent short circuits, overheating, or electric shock,
- Risk of mechanical failure due to excessive load,
- Control system safety – the control system should prevent accidental activation (e.g., by children).
The manufacturer must document all hazards and specify the solutions implemented to mitigate them.
2. CE marking and technical documentation
Every product covered by the regulation must bear the CE marking, confirming its compliance with EU safety standards. The certification process includes:
- Preparing technical documentation – including electrical schematics, test results, hazard analysis, and risk assessment,
- Compliance testing – the product must meet the standards outlined in machinery regulations, including electrical and mechanical safety,
- Issuing the EU Declaration of Conformity – an official document confirming compliance with regulations.
Without the CE marking and complete documentation, the product cannot be legally sold in the European Union.
3. User manual and safety information
The regulation requires manufacturers to provide users with:
- A user manual – with clear instructions on operation and maintenance,
- Safety information – warnings about potential hazards,
- A digital version of the manual – but a paper copy must be available upon request.
Instructions must be available in the languages of all countries where the product is sold.
4. Conformity assessment procedure – who must conduct the tests?
Electric furniture may be subject to different conformity assessment procedures depending on the risk level:
- Internal production control – if the product has no complex mechanisms and is not classified as high-risk, the manufacturer can conduct tests and issue the declaration of conformity independently.
- Certification by a notified body – if the product has more complex control mechanisms or falls under higher-risk criteria, an independent certification body must conduct the tests.
Failure to comply with the conformity assessment procedure may result in a sales ban and financial penalties.
What should manufacturers do?
By January 14, 2027, manufacturers of furniture with electrical components must:
- Analyze whether their products fall under the new regulations – if so, certification as machinery will be required.
- Conduct a hazard analysis and assess risks associated with product use.
- Ensure product compliance with standards, prepare technical documentation, and apply the CE marking.
- Provide a user manual and safety information with the product.
- Follow the appropriate conformity assessment procedure – either independently or with the assistance of a certification body.
Failure to comply with the requirements may result in sanctions, product withdrawal from the market, and loss of customer trust.
It is advisable to adapt your products to the upcoming changes now to avoid delays and legal issues with selling electric furniture in the European Union. To ensure that your products meet all requirements and avoid potential sanctions, contact the RCC Research & Development Center. Our experts will assist you with hazard analysis, risk assessment, and will conduct the necessary testing and certification to ensure that your electric furniture fully complies with EU standards. Don’t wait – act now to gain a market advantage and build customer trust. Contact us today and start the certification process!
