ISO 10218 industrial robot safety standard receives major overhaul

Deploying industrial robots requires risk analysis and mitigation of safety hazards. | Credit: Adobe Stock

Safety is the most important topic when it comes to industrial robotics. ISO 10218 is an international standard that outlines safety requirements for industrial robots. It was developed in 2011. In the United States, ISO 10218-1 has been adopted as the ANSI/RIA R15 standard.

After nearly eight years of work, the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) announced the publication of the revised ISO 10218. Core to this revision is more precise safety guidelines along with integrated safety requirements for collaborative robot applications that consolidate the previously separate ISO/TS 15066.

The new edition of ISO 10218 is now available for purchase to U.S. customers for $244.

The new ISO 10218 Parts 1 and 2 feature extensive updates that focus on making functional safety requirements more explicit rather than implied. This shift enhances clarity and usability, making compliance more straightforward for manufacturers and integrators alike.

In North America, ISO 10218 had been previously adopted as ANSI R15.06 in the United States and CSA Z434 in Canada. Work is underway to adopt the new 10218 in both jurisdictions with new versions of R15.06 and Z434 expected to be released later this year.

Key updates in ISO 10218

ISO 10218 series (consisting of two parts) is the flagship safety standard for industrial robotics. Part 1 of the standard provides guidelines for industrial robot design, manufacture, remanufacture, and rebuild.  It enhances the safety of personnel associated with the use of industrial robots and robot systems.

Part 2 provides guidelines for the design and system integration of Industrial Robot Applications and Robot Cells. Including methods of safeguarding to enhance the safety of personnel associated with the use of industrial robot applications and robot cells, with emphasis on the importance of risk assessment.

The 2025 revision of 10218-1 includes technical changes and reflects ongoing developments in the marketplace. It includes additional requirements for design; mode requirements; clarification of requirements for functional safety; requirements for cybersecurity to the extent that it applies to industrial robot safety; and safety requirements for industrial robots intended for use in collaborative applications (formerly content of ISO/TS 15066).

Both parts have undergone extensive revisions to address the latest safety challenges and technological advancements, including:

• Clarified functional safety requirements that offer more precise safety guidelines to enhance compliance and risk mitigation.
• Integrated safety requirements for collaborative robot applications that consolidate the previously separate ISO/TS 15066.
• Incorporated safety guidance for manual load/unload procedures and end-effectors (sometimes called end-of-arm tooling or EOAT) from previously separate technical reports (TR 20218-1 and TR 20218-2).
• New robot classifications with corresponding functional safety requirements and test methodologies.
• Cybersecurity requirements pertaining to industrial robot safety.

“With automation evolving at an unprecedented pace, it is essential that safety standards keep up with the latest advancements,” said Carole Franklin, director of standards at A3 Robotics. “This is a critical step in ensuring that as automation grows, worker safety remains a top priority. These revisions provide clearer guidelines and new classifications that will help manufacturers and system integrators implement the latest technology for safer robotic solutions.”

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Industry impact

“This set of safety standards has immense global acceptance, but updates were needed,” said Roberta Nelson Shea, global technical compliance officer at Universal Robots and convenor of ISO TC 299 Working Group 3. “This is a pivotal moment for industrial robotics. With automation advancing at lightning speed, we need safety standards that keep pace.”

“These updates bring much-needed clarity and structure, making it easier for companies to integrate robotics with confidence. Our goal has always been to ensure that innovation and safety go hand in hand. These newly revised standards deliver on that promise.”

Nelson Shea was selected as the 2023 Joseph F. Engelberger Application winner for her outstanding work over the course of her career in global robotics safety. For over 45 years, she has been one of the central figures in the development of industrial robot safety standards in North America and around the world. She appeared on The Robot Report Podcast to discuss her career developing robot safety standards.

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