COMPLIANCE & RIGHT · TREATY
Industrial companies must legally merge technical development, purchasing and sales. A change in machine control can trigger product obligations; a new remote maintenance changes the access to data; a foreign order requires an export inspection. We support in the legal classification of such processes and in the design of the corresponding processes.
Development and product release
The product organisation should show which rules apply to a family of products and who is responsible for their implementation. Risk assessment, technical documentation, instructions and declaration of conformity shall reflect the same level of development. In the event of a change, it is necessary to clarify whether a new assessment will be required. The transition to the EU Machinery Regulation from 20 January 2027 is part of ongoing planning.
In the case of connected products, questions of CRA and the Data Act In addition. Data access, updates and security messages should therefore already be taken into account in development and delivery contracts. The legal work is carried out in exchange with the responsible technical experts.
Protecting knowledge in cooperation
Suppliers and development partners often receive drawings, parameters or test results. Prior to the exchange, permitted use, disclosure and rights to new results must be clarified. Access rights and confidentiality agreements must correspond to the actual project. Our area Trade secrets and know-how explains the legal requirements and organisational measures.
Software and free components can also be part of an industrial product. For the delivery, it must be determined which rights of use exist and which license notices or other obligations are to be fulfilled. This also applies to subsequent updates.
Purchasing and foreign business
Supplier selection, intermediary remuneration and payment clearances should be comprehensible. Goods, recipients, end-use and delivery routes must be checked in the foreign business. An examination against only one name list can overlook relevant restrictions. In the case of modified delivery routes or new parties, the initial release may need to be re-examined.
Customer requirements for the supply chain should be legally classified before the company signs far-reaching guarantees. Legal obligations, contractual commitments and evidence actually available must be distinguished.
Taking up complaints from the operation
Complaints, accident reports, instructions from manufacturing and safety gaps should converge with a competent body. An agreed process combines technical investigation, legal evaluation and communication with customers and authorities. In the event of a crisis, which products are affected and how their customers can be reached can only be answered if these data have been pre-ordered.
A possible audit order
A specific product family or business unit can be selected for an initial inventory. We review the legal responsibilities, essential contracts and existing clearances. This results in well-founded recommendations with those responsible and priorities. Technical tests and certifications are defined separately.
Take you to Coordination of the contract a short product and country overview. A specific selection of documents can be found in the Checklists. For development, purchasing or sales can subsequently be suitable Training Council.
Legal basis and decisions: Product safety law; BAM: Machine law.
Situation as at 2 November 2026.
Further reading: Product safety, CE marking and recalls · Cyber Resilience Act for manufacturers and software providers · Sanctions and export controls
Four practical examples
The following fictitious cases illustrate typical examination questions. The concrete solution depends on the circumstances of the individual case.
01 · Connected machine
Remote maintenance extends the technical function. Product obligations, data use and security responsibility are examined together.
02 · Joint development
Two manufacturers exchange design data. Rights, secrecy and antitrust limits will be clarified before the project starts.
03 · Export via dealers
A new dealer orders a technically sensitive system. Product classification, end use and consignee verification are documented before delivery.
04 · Errors in a series
Several systems show the same defect. Technical evaluation, legal measures and communication with operators will be coordinated.
Your next step
Do you want to transfer the requirements to your company or have a specific process checked? A brief description and a reference to existing deadlines are sufficient for the first contact. We shall vote on the scope of examination and compensation prior to commissioning.