Service · Retrofit
Retrofit with conformity assessment for existing machinery.
We modernise existing machinery in Austria, Bavaria and Switzerland and provide the conformity assessment, FEM verification, risk assessment and technical documentation from a single source for machine retrofits under EU 2023/1230.
Modernising a machine mechanically is manageable. The problem begins afterwards: anyone who substantially modifies a machine becomes legally responsible as its manufacturer, with full responsibility for risk assessment, proof and documentation. Most companies find someone for one side or the other. Rarely for both.
The deadline
Calm, but clear.
Today
Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
Existing documentation remains valid.
20 January 2027
Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230
Applies immediately – no transition period.
After that
Operating instructions available digitally
Marked and retrievable for at least ten years.
For machine retrofits, this means: the time of placing into service decides which law applies. Anyone who modernises machinery in 2027 documents under the new machinery regulation. Anyone who plans early can manage risks and compliance obligations much more effectively.
Legal status as of August 2026. No legal advice – we recommend a case-by-case review.
What we do
Machine retrofit, conformity assessment and handover in one process.
01 Site assessment
Measurement, condition assessment, review of existing documents. The outcome is a clear decision: retrofit or replace.
02 Retrofit & design
New drives, controls, safety devices, handling. Designed in 3D, manufactured and assembled in-house.
03 Proof & calculation
FEM, static and fatigue verification, risk assessment. Documented and defensible.
04 Documentation & CE
Technical files, operating instructions, declaration of conformity, marking. Ready for handover.
When retrofit makes sense
The decision looks like this.
Speaks in favour
- +The base machine is mechanically sound; wear is limited to drive, controls and peripherals
- +Spare parts for the control system are no longer available
- +New safety requirements or a changed process
- +The delivery time of a new machine does not fit production requirements
Speaks against
- −The load-bearing structure is fatigued or corroded
- −Retrofit costs exceed around 60% of the new-machine price
- −The required cycle time cannot be achieved with the base machine
- −The manufacturer no longer exists and there are no documents at all
Retrofit vs. new machine
For machinery in Austria, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, the key question is often the right investment decision.
Retrofit makes sense when...
- ✓the base machine is still technically sound and can be used further.
- ✓the machine has been in service for many years and modernization is more economical than full replacement.
- ✓a clear risk assessment and documentation for the retrofit are available.
A new machine makes sense when...
- →the load-bearing structure is heavily damaged, corroded or fatigued.
- →retrofit costs are close to the price of a new machine and little added value remains.
- →new production requirements exceed the technical limits of the base machine.
Retrofit check
Know where you stand in two minutes.
Question 1
Is the machine’s load-bearing structure free of visible cracks and severe corrosion?
Question 2
Are spare parts for the controls and drives still available?
Question 3
Are the machine operating instructions and declaration of conformity available?
Question 4
Has the machine already been modified since initial commissioning?
Question 5
Should the retrofit change the machine’s performance, speed or function?
Question 6
Is the retrofit scheduled to go into operation after 20 January 2027?
Result
Waiting for assessment…
Please answer the questions.
The assessment appears after the final answer.
The check provides orientation only, not a formal assessment.
Reference
Modernisation with measurable impact.
Eckumsetzer FZ-112
New material-flow concept with modernised handling.
The solution combines an existing structure with new drives and an optimised direction-change concept – focused on throughput, compactness and ease of use.
Rotation
90°
System
Automatisiert
FAQ
FAQ: machine retrofit & conformity assessment
When does a change count as substantial?
As soon as hazards change or new ones arise, for example through higher performance, new functions or altered protective devices. The assessment is made on a case-by-case basis – we handle it as part of the project.
Who is liable after the retrofit?
Anyone who makes the substantial modification is considered the manufacturer of the modified machine. That is why retrofit and proof belong in one hand.
What does a condition assessment cost?
The initial consultation is free. The condition assessment is offered as a fixed price and credited if the retrofit is commissioned.
Do you also work on machines from other manufacturers?
Yes. That is the normal case.
How long does a typical retrofit take?
From the condition assessment to handover, it usually takes six to twenty weeks depending on scope. We keep production downtime as short as possible and agree it in advance.
What counts as a substantial machine modification?
A substantial modification occurs when safety, performance, function, protective devices or operating conditions of the machinery change significantly. In that case, manufacturer obligations, risk assessment and proof must be reassessed.
What documents are needed for machine retrofit compliance?
Typically, technical files, calculations, markings, operating instructions and a clear risk assessment are required. For existing machinery, documentation is often the decisive factor.
When is a retrofit more cost-effective than a new machine?
When the base machine is still structurally sound, spare parts are available and the retrofit cost is significantly lower than purchasing a new system, a retrofit is often the more economical choice. This is especially relevant in Austria, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
How do you assess whether a machine is suitable for retrofit?
Suitability depends on structural condition, available documentation, safety requirements and planned process changes. A condition assessment shows whether the machine is suitable for modernization, proof and recommissioning.
Contact
Let's talk about your project.
Initial conversation within 24 hours. Personal support from a single contact person throughout your project.