Standards and Risk Management as Enablers of Sustainability
Harmonized safety standards for machinery—A, B, and C types such as ISO 12100—form the foundation for safe machine design (ISO 12100:2010). These standards guide risk assessment and mitigation throughout the machine’s lifecycle, from design and operation to maintenance and end-of-life material recovery. Addressing risks early in the design phase helps avoid costly repairs, downtime, and material waste, supporting resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
For example, the risk assessment tool provided by the Finnish Metal Industry Standardization Association (METSTA), presented during the workshop, enables companies to systematically identify hazards. Proactive safety work is not just regulatory compliance—it’s an investment in sustainable production. Machines designed for safety last longer, reducing the need for new equipment and conserving natural resources.
Cybersecurity: A New Dimension of the Green Transition
Digitalization and the Internet of Things (IoT) are reshaping the risk landscape in manufacturing. Networked machines and remote-control systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks that can halt production or create hazardous situations. The EU’s new Machinery Regulation (EurLex 2023), effective in 2027, elevates cybersecurity to the same level as mechanical and electrical safety. Manufacturers must ensure that control systems and software withstand both accidental errors and deliberate attacks (Nemko 2025).
Artificial intelligence adds another layer of complexity. If AI performs safety-critical tasks in machinery, it is classified as a high-risk system, requiring independent conformity assessment—even though harmonized standards are still evolving. This aligns with the EU AI Act, which emphasizes transparency and responsible AI use (Monica et al., 2024).
The regulation also mandates proper documentation of machine modifications. For instance, a software update could legally make the user a manufacturer. Digital operating instructions must be encrypted, version-controlled, and stored for at least ten years to prevent tampering with critical safety information (Winkler 2024). Furthermore, CE marking will require proof of cybersecurity compliance, including cyber risk analyses, protection concepts, and secure maintenance procedures for software and firmware (EurLex 2023).
Companies must also invest in continuous skills development—cybersecurity expertise, multidisciplinary training programs, and ongoing education on standards, technology, and legislation (TÜV Süd 2025).
Safety as a Strategic Initiative
The new regulation makes it clear: safety is no longer just a technical requirement but a strategic component of sustainable and competitive industry. Cybersecurity, AI, and digital documentation form an integrated framework that defines manufacturing resilience in the era of the green transition. Production disruptions or machine malfunctions can lead to material waste, excess emissions, and dangerous situations (Pačaiová et al., 2024). Therefore, the green transition demands holistic safety thinking—where physical and digital worlds work hand in hand.
Conclusion
The green transition cannot succeed without prioritizing safety and developing related competencies. Compliance with standards, risk management, and cybersecurity are not mere obligations—they are strategic tools for building sustainable, efficient, and competitive manufacturing aligned with green transition principles (EurLex 2025). These themes are embedded in the Ohite project and form the basis for a learning model that addresses diverse skill requirements for the future.
Learn more about Ohite: https://www.tuni.fi/en/research/continuous-learning-service-model-needs-sustainable-and-carbon-neutral-manufacturing
Authors:
Pirita Ihamäki, Principal Lecturer, TAMK, Technology Industry Competence Unit, Ohite Project Expert
Mika Moisio, Lecturer, TAMK, Industrial Technology, Ohite Project Manager for Manufacturing Sector
Anne-Marie Tuomala, Lecturer, LAB, Process Technology, Ohite Project Manager at LAB University of Applied Sciences
References
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