ISO 10218-1:2025 is the current safety standard for industrial robots. Its full title is Robotics — Safety requirements — Part 1: Industrial robots. It focuses on the robot itself — not the full robot cell or application. It replaced ISO 10218-1:2011, which is now withdrawn. ISO/TC 299 Robotics maintains the standard. Most companies use it alongside ISO 10218-2:2025, which covers robot applications and robot cells.
What Is ISO 10218-1:2025?
ISO 10218-1:2025 is the current ISO safety standard for industrial robots. It sets out what manufacturers must do to reduce risk through design, protective measures, and clear information for use.
ISO 10218-1:2025 is the current international standard for industrial robot safety. It covers the robot as a product — not the full application or cell. It is maintained by ISO/TC 299 Robotics and replaced the withdrawn 2011 edition.
The standard is built on three pillars:
- Inherent safe design — Reduce risk through design decisions made early in development.
- Protective measures — Safety functions that address risk after the design stage.
- Information for use — Manuals, warnings, and instructions that help users operate the robot safely.
What Does ISO 10218-1:2025 Cover?
ISO 10218-1:2025 covers the design and build of industrial robots. It identifies main hazards. It sets out what manufacturers must do to remove or reduce those risks.
Main areas covered include:
- Inherent safe design
- Protective measures built into the robot
- Safety-related control functions
- Operating modes — manual and automatic
- Stopping functions
- Teach pendants and enabling devices
- Hazard identification and risk reduction
- Information for use
What Is Outside the Scope of ISO 10218-1:2025?
ISO 10218-1:2025 does not apply to:
- Robot cells or the wider application — see ISO 10218-2:2025
- Non-industrial robots, such as service or consumer robots
- Medical, military, or space robots
- Noise as a main hazard of the robot alone
- Mobility of robots on mobile platforms
What Does ISO 10218-2:2025 Cover?
ISO 10218-1:2025 is a technical revision of the 2011 edition. It adds new design and operating mode requirements. It clarifies functional safety. It introduces robot classes. It adds requirements for collaborative applications, cybersecurity, and a normal stop safety function.
Additional Design Requirements
The 2025 edition adds new design requirements. Safety must be built into the robot from the start — not added as an afterthought.
Operating Mode Requirements
Robots go through many phases — setup, testing, maintenance, and production. Each phase can create different risks. The 2025 edition adds requirements that address all phases.
Clearer Functional Safety Requirements
Functional safety means safety controls work correctly when needed. The 2025 edition makes these requirements clearer and better structured. That gives manufacturers and engineers a stronger basis for safety assessment.
Robot Classification
ISO 10218-1:2025 introduces two classes of industrial robots. Functional safety requirements are linked to the class. The idea is that not all robots carry the same hazard potential — so requirements scale accordingly. Review the official text before making design or procurement decisions based on class.
Requirements for Robots Used in Collaborative Applications
ISO 10218-1:2025 includes requirements for robots intended for collaborative applications — where robots and people work in close proximity. The 2025 series brings collaborative safety into the main ISO 10218 framework.
Cybersecurity Where It Affects Safety
ISO 10218-1:2025 addresses cybersecurity — but only where it affects robot safety directly. Cyber events can affect safety-related control functions. This update is most relevant for connected and software-driven robot systems.
Normal Stop Safety Function
The 2025 edition adds a normal stop safety function. It sits alongside emergency stop and protective stop. It supports safe, predictable control during standard operation.
ISO 10218-1:2025 vs ISO 10218-1:2011 – What Is the Difference?
ISO 10218-1:2025 is the current edition. ISO 10218-1:2011 is withdrawn and replaced. Organizations still referencing the ISO 10218-1:2011 edition should plan a structured update.
| Topic | ISO 10218-1:2011 | ISO 10218-1:2025 |
| Status | Withdrawn | Current edition |
| Robot classification | Not included | Two classes introduced |
| Collaborative applications | Limited | Dedicated requirements added |
| Cybersecurity | Not addressed | Addressed where it affects safety |
| Functional safety | General | Clarified and structured |
| Normal stop | Not addressed | Added as a safety function |
Always check which edition a contract, customer, or regulator references. Do not assume all parties have updated their documents.
ISO 10218-1:2025 vs ISO 10218-2:2025
ISO 10218-1:2025 covers the robot itself. ISO 10218-2:2025 covers robot applications, integration, and robot cells. Both parts serve different roles and are typically used together.
- ISO 10218-1:2025 — For robot manufacturers. Covers design, safety functions, and documentation.
- ISO 10218-2:2025 — For system integrators. Covers how the robot is installed and used in a full application.
A robot that meets Part 1 can still be part of an unsafe application if integration is poor. That is why both parts matter.
ISO 10218-1:2025 and Collaborative Applications
ISO 10218-1:2025 includes requirements for robots used in collaborative applications. But it does not create a “safe robot” label.
A robot built for collaborative use does not make every application safe. The full application still needs a risk assessment. Integrator decisions remain critical.
Key points:
- A collaborative robot is not automatically safe in every setting
- Safety depends on the full task, environment, tooling, and human interaction
- A risk assessment is always required for the whole application
ISO/TS 15066:2016 is listed in the ISO/TC 299 catalogue. Check the ISO catalogue before making document control decisions about ISO/TS 15066.
Key Safety Topics in ISO 10218-1:2025
Hazard Identification and Risk Reduction
- Reduce hazards through design
- Apply protective measures for remaining risk
- Provide clear information for use
Safety Functions and Functional Safety
Safety functions protect people from robot hazards. They must work correctly every time. The 2025 edition gives this area a clearer structure — especially for robots with software-driven controls.
Stopping Functions
ISO 10218-1:2025 covers three stopping functions:
- Emergency stop — for urgent, unplanned situations
- Protective stop — linked to protective devices
- Normal stop — for standard stopping during normal use
Each serves a different purpose. They are not interchangeable.
Operating Modes and Manual Operation
Risk changes depending on how the robot is being used. Production, teaching, setup, and maintenance each create different exposures. The 2025 edition adds requirements to cover all phases. Manual operation needs particular care — people may be in close proximity to the robot.
Teach Pendants and Enabling Devices
A teach pendant is a hand-held device used during setup or programming. An enabling device allows motion only under deliberate manual conditions. ISO 10218-1:2025 sets requirements for both.
Information for Use
Information for use includes manuals, warnings, and safety documents. It is one of the three core pillars of the standard. It should clearly state:
- Intended use and limits
- Residual risks after design and protective measures
- Protective measures the integrator must apply
- Safe operating conditions
Strong design is not enough on its own. Poor documentation can still create problems for integrators and end users.
Is ISO 10218-1:2025 a Certification?
ISO 10218-1:2025 is a safety standard — not a management system certification like ISO 9001. ISO does not issue certificates.
What ISO 10218-1:2025 Is
It is a technical standard that sets safety requirements for industrial robots. Meeting those requirements does not produce a certificate.
Certification and Conformity Assessment
What manufacturers typically pursue is conformity assessment — a process of checking that a robot’s design and documentation meet the standard’s requirements. ISO does not run this process.
Product Testing and Verification
Manufacturers test robots to confirm that safety functions work as designed. The right approach depends on the robot, the application, and the target market.
Who Uses ISO 10218-1:2025?
- Robot manufacturers — guide robot design and safety concepts
- System integrators — review the robot’s built-in safety before applying Part 2
- Machine builders — use it when robots form part of larger machines
- Automation companies — use it during planning and project delivery
- Manufacturing organizations — use it when buying, deploying, or updating robots
- Safety and functional safety engineers — evaluate hazards and risk reduction measures
- EHS professionals — manage workplace safety programs that include robots
- Compliance and quality managers — oversee conformity with robot safety standards
- Procurement teams — review supplier documentation and check edition references
How Can Companies Move From ISO 10218-1:2011 to ISO 10218-1:2025?
The steps below are a high-level overview only. They are not an official ISO process. No compliance deadlines are stated.
1. Obtain the Official ISO 10218-1:2025 Text
Get the standard from the ISO catalogue or an authorized national standards body. Summaries alone are not enough for technical or document control decisions.
2. Identify Where the 2011 Edition Is Referenced
Find every place the 2011 edition appears in your organization. Common locations include:
- Technical files and risk assessments
- Procurement specifications and supplier requirements
- Contract schedules and conformity declarations
3. Review Robot Class and Functional Safety Requirements
The 2025 edition introduces robot classes. Older design assumptions may not align with the updated structure. Review how current documentation fits the new approach.
4. Review Collaborative Application Needs
If your robots are intended for collaborative use, review this area early. Re-check design files, application plans, and customer documents for gaps.
5. Review Cybersecurity Where It Affects Safety
Check where cyber events could affect safety-related functions. This matters most for connected and remotely managed robot systems.
6. Update Risk Assessments and Technical Documentation
Update relevant records. This may include:
- Risk assessments and safety concepts
- Technical files and user instructions
- Internal standards references
Do not change edition references without first reviewing the technical impact.
7. Check Customer, Contract and Regulatory Requirements
Confirm what outside parties require. A contract or tender may still reference the 2011 edition. Check the exact wording before making any conformity statements.
Always check which edition a contract, customer, or regulator references. Do not assume all parties have updated their documents.
ISO 10218-1:2025 and Regulatory Compliance
ISO 10218-1:2025 is a standard — not a law. Legal requirements depend on the country, product type, and local regulatory framework. This page makes no legal conclusions about harmonisation, mandatory adoption, or compliance obligations.
Two principles apply in practice:
- Always check which edition a contract, customer, or regulator references before making compliance statements.
- Do not assume that applying the standard means automatic legal compliance.
Checklist Before Applying ISO 10218-1:2025
Use this list to prepare before starting work with ISO 10218-1:2025:
- Confirm whether your role falls under Part 1 or Part 2
- Find all documents still referencing the 2011 edition
- Review the robot classification approach in the 2025 edition
- Check if your robots are intended for collaborative applications
- Review cybersecurity considerations that affect safety functions
- Confirm stopping functions and operating modes align with current requirements
- Prepare updated information for use — manuals and safety documentation
- Review end-effectors and tooling with ISO 10218-2:2025 in mind
- Update your risk assessment
- Confirm local regulatory requirements
- Plan a gap review before making any conformity declarations
How Can ISO Certifications UAE Support ISO 10218-1:2025 Requirements?
Moving from the 2011 edition to ISO 10218-1:2025 requires structured review and documentation work. ISO Certification Services from ISO Certifications UAE can support that process.
Support may include:
- Standards interpretation — Practical guidance on how requirements apply to your robots and processes
- Gap review — A structured comparison of your current documents against the 2025 edition
- Documentation support — Help updating technical files, manuals, and safety records
- Readiness assessment — An internal review before making conformity declarations
- Related management system support — ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO/IEC 27001 alongside robot safety work
ISO Certifications UAE is not ISO, ISO/TC 299, or an accredited product certification body. The support offered is practical consulting and documentation guidance. No guarantee of certification or legal compliance is implied.
If you are updating robot designs or documents to ISO 10218-1:2025, contact ISO Certifications UAE to discuss your requirements.
Get Support for ISO 10218-1:2025 and Robot Safety Standards
Updating to ISO 10218-1:2025 takes careful technical review. We support manufacturers, integrators, and manufacturing companies through standards interpretation, gap review, documentation support, and readiness assessment.
Need to identify which standards apply to your robots? Updating documents from the 2011 edition? Preparing for a customer or tender requirement? We can help.
ISO 10218-1:2025 Frequently Asked Questions
What is ISO 10218-1:2025?
ISO 10218-1:2025 is the current international safety standard for industrial robots. It covers the robot itself — its design, safety functions, and documentation. It replaced ISO 10218-1:2011, which is now withdrawn.
What changed in ISO 10218-1:2025?
The 2025 edition adds design requirements, operating mode requirements, and a normal stop safety function. It clarifies functional safety, introduces robot classes, and adds requirements for collaborative applications and cybersecurity where it affects robot safety.
Does ISO 10218-1:2025 replace ISO 10218-1:2011?
Yes. ISO 10218-1:2025 is the current edition. ISO 10218-1:2011 is withdrawn and replaced. Always confirm which edition a contract, customer, or regulator references before updating your documents.
What is the difference between ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2?
ISO 10218-1 covers the industrial robot itself. ISO 10218-2 covers robot applications, integration, and robot cells. Both parts are typically used together on most projects.
Does ISO 10218-1:2025 replace ISO/TS 15066?
The 2025 series brings collaborative requirements into the main ISO 10218 framework. Check the current ISO catalogue to confirm the status of ISO/TS 15066:2016 before making document control decisions.
Is ISO 10218-1:2025 a certification?
No. It is a safety standard — not a management system certification. ISO does not issue certificates for it. Conformity is demonstrated through conformity assessment, not through a certificate.
Who uses ISO 10218-1:2025?
Robot manufacturers, system integrators, machine builders, automation companies, manufacturing organizations, safety engineers, EHS professionals, and compliance teams all use it. The exact use depends on the robot, the application, and each party’s responsibilities.