Govt Defers OTR-2024 Implementation to September 2026

16 Jun 2025 CW Team

In a significant development for the construction, mining, and heavy equipment industries, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has officially deferred the implementation of the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024 (OTR-2024) by one year. The new compliance date is now set for September 1, 2026.

The OTR-2024, originally notified on August 28, 2024, was to come into effect from August 28, 2025. It aimed to regulate the safety of machinery and electrical equipment, including earthmoving, construction, mining equipment, cranes, and their assemblies, sub-assemblies, and components. However, equipment covered under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) was excluded from this regulation.

The Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (ICEMA) had actively engaged with the Ministry of Heavy Industries and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), voicing industry-wide concerns regarding the stringent timelines and challenges related to the regulation's immediate implementation. ICEMA submitted multiple representations requesting a reconsideration of the deadlines to ensure the industry’s smooth transition to the new safety standards.

Responding to these concerns, the MHI issued Notification S.O. 2579(E) dated June 13, 2025, which formalises the deferment of the regulation’s enforcement to September 1, 2026. The notification also clarifies that while the main equipment listed in the First Schedule will now be regulated from this new date, the applicability of safety norms to assemblies, sub-assemblies, and components will be notified separately by the Central Government.

ICEMA has urged its members to continue providing inputs and actively participate in addressing regulatory challenges to support the industry's long-term growth and safety compliance.

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