Do the Robot

U.S. adoption of ISO 10218 aims for safer, smarter industrial robotics worldwide

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) announced the publication of ANSI/A3 R15.06-2025 American National Standard for Industrial Robots and Robot Systems – Safety Requirements on September 10. This newly revised standard is now available for immediate purchase through A3 and "marks the most significant advancement in industrial robot safety requirements in over a decade," the Ann Arbor, Michigan association said in a press release sent to EA. On a related note, A3 is also hosting its upcoming Humanoid Robot Forum on September 23, in Seattle.

Nowadays, even robots and tractors have become friends. This has led to increased robot safety standards.--A3 photo

“This is more than a milestone in safety standardization. It’s a call to action,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. “Publishing this safety standard is perhaps the most important thing A3 can do, as it directly impacts the safety of millions of people working in industrial environments around the world.”

This standard is available in protected PDF format and includes:

• Part 1: Safety requirements for industrial robots

• Part 2: Safety requirements for industrial robot applications and robot cells

Part 3, which will address safety requirements for users of industrial robot cells, is expected to be published later this year. Once available, it will be retroactively provided at no additional cost to anyone who purchases the full standard now.

R15.06 is the U.S. national adoption of ISO 10218 Parts 1 and 2 and is a revision of ANSI/RIA R15.06-2012*.

Key Enhancements in ANSI/A3 R15.06-2025:

• Clarified functional safety requirements that improve usability and compliance for manufacturers and integrators

• Integrated guidance for collaborative robot applications, consolidating ISO/TS 15066

• New content on end-effectors and manual load/unload procedures, derived from ISO/TR 20218-1 and ISO/TR 20218-2

• Updated robot classifications, with corresponding safety functions and test methodologies

• Cybersecurity guidance, now included as part of safety planning and implementation

• Refined terminology, including the replacement of “safety-rated monitored stop” with “monitored standstill” for broader technical accuracy

“This standard delivers clearer guidance, smarter classifications, and a roadmap for safety in the era of intelligent automation,” said Carole Franklin, director of standards development, robotics at A3. “It empowers manufacturers and integrators to design and deploy safer systems more confidently while supporting innovation without compromising human well-being.”

Beginning today, the revised edition of the ANSI/A3 R15.06-2025 standard can be purchased globally through A3. Companies and professionals looking to stay compliant with the latest safety requirements can acquire the standard through the A3 Standards online store. Pricing starts at $655 USD.

*The Robotic Industries Association (RIA), which originally published the 2012 version of this standard, is now part of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).