How Prati Is Shaping the Future of Label Finishing
As the new EU Machinery Regulation approaches, Prati sees compliance not as a constraint but as an opportunity to accelerate innovation. Advanced safety systems, digital connectivity, cybersecurity and human expertise are all key drivers of the company’s vision for the next generation of label and packaging finishing technology.
A new era of machine safety
The label finishing market is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by several defining trends: safety, sustainability, digitalisation and automation, shorter production runs with greater customisation, and increasingly demanding requirements for quality and traceability.
Against this backdrop, the new EU Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which will apply from 20 January 2027, establishes a new framework for machine safety across Europe. Beyond ensuring compliance with stricter safety standards, the regulation recognises the growing role of software, connectivity and artificial intelligence in modern machinery, encouraging manufacturers to accelerate the adoption of next-generation technologies.
For Prati, the new regulatory framework is about far more than regulatory compliance. It is an opportunity to further develop smarter, safer and more connected finishing solutions.
“The new regulation is an opportunity rather than a constraint,” says Mirco Palomba, R&D Manager at Prati Srl. “We are continuously enhancing our machines with advanced safety software, while preparing for a future in which artificial intelligence will become an integral part of machine safety.
Today, almost all of our machines are equipped with safety PLCs. As automation continues to evolve, the need for operator intervention becomes less frequent, but every interaction with the machine must be safeguarded through advanced functional safety. Whenever an operator needs to access the machine or interact with it, this must be done under controlled conditions, according to safe speed, safe torque or zero speed.
Traditional safety functions are no longer enough: both machine components and safety architectures must continue to evolve.”
Connectivity: towards smarter production environments
Digitalisation is also reshaping customer expectations. As production environments become more connected, manufacturers require machines that can communicate seamlessly with production management systems and exchange data across the factory floor.
“Connectivity has become a key requirement for our customers,” Palomba continues.
“They’re asking for machines that integrate naturally with their production environment, which is why we’re implementing more open communication standards.
The machines are equipped with fieldbus systems, communication tools and gateway tables that enable seamless integration with customers’ corporate information systems. An increasing number of customers are requesting these types of integrations.
One practical example is centralised recipe management. Instead of relying on manual operator input, production parameters can be generated by the technical department and transmitted directly to the machine, enabling more efficient planning, reduced setup times and improved coordination across multiple production lines.
Cybersecurity and the human role in intelligent manufacturing
As industrial machinery becomes increasingly connected, cybersecurity is also moving to the forefront. The new Machinery Regulation introduces specific provisions aimed at protecting industrial systems against cyber threats and safeguarding production data.
Machines designed with robust cybersecurity features not only optimise production efficiency but also strengthen customer confidence by ensuring that operational data remains secure. Compliance with the new regulation will require rigorous testing and certification, reinforcing trust in machinery throughout the European market.
Ultimately, the Machinery Regulation marks another step towards safer, smarter and more sustainable manufacturing.
For companies, compliance should be viewed not simply as a legal obligation, but as an opportunity to strengthen safety culture, improve operational excellence and build long-term competitiveness.
While technology continues to evolve rapidly, Prati believes that people remain at the heart of every successful manufacturing process.
“The real challenge is creating a common language between people and technology,” says Chiara Prati, CEO & CSO of Prati Srl. “Machines are becoming increasingly connected, but real value comes from combining technology with knowledge and human intelligence.”
According to Chiara Prati, automation is transforming the operator’s role, which is evolving from machine operator to production supervisor. Every smart machine needs an even smarter human mind behind it.
This is why we believe that technology must always be guided by human intelligence: first switch on your brain, then switch on the machine.
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