EN ISO 10218-1, “Robots and robotic devices – Safety requirements for industrial robots – Part 1: Robots (ISO 10218-1:2011)”, is the type C standard for the safe design of the industrial robot itself, that is the manipulator and its controller. Fast, powerful movements over a large space that are hard to predict create hazards of impact, crushing and trapping. The standard sets out the functions that the robot manufacturer must build into the robot.
Let us take care of EN ISO 10218-1 testing and the CE marking of your machine together; CE Danışmanı (CE Consultant) manages the whole process.
EN ISO 10218-1 at a glance
| Edition cited in the EU Official Journal | EN ISO 10218-1:2011 |
|---|---|
| Official title | Robots and robotic devices – Safety requirements for industrial robots – Part 1: Robots (ISO 10218-1:2011) |
| Legislation supported | Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC; from 20 January 2027 Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 |
| Type of standard | Type C standard |
Which robots does it cover?
The standard deals with reprogrammable multi-axis manipulators used in industrial environments. Typical examples:
- Six-axis articulated robots
- SCARA, delta and Cartesian robots
- Welding, painting, palletising and machine-tending robots
- Robots designed for collaborative operation
This part deals with the robot only. The cell in which the robot is combined with an end-effector, safeguards and other machines falls under EN ISO 10218-2.
Main requirements of the standard
- Operating modes: Automatic mode, manual reduced-speed mode and an optional manual high-speed mode; mode selection is protected against unauthorised use.
- Reduced speed: In manual mode the speed of the tool centre point must not exceed 250 mm/s.
- Enabling device: The teach pendant has a three-position enabling device; movement stops when it is released or fully pressed.
- Protective stop and emergency stop: The robot has a protective stop input for external protective devices and an emergency stop function, with an emergency stop device on the pendant.
- Safety performance of the control system: Safety-related parts meet PL d with a category 3 structure, unless the risk assessment shows that another level is appropriate.
- Axis and space limiting: The range of movement can be restricted by mechanical stops or by safety-rated soft limits.
- Collaborative operation: Functions for safety-rated monitored stop, hand guiding, speed and separation monitoring, and power and force limiting.
Verification and tests under EN ISO 10218-1
An annex lists the verification method for each requirement: visual inspection, practical test, measurement, and review of diagrams and software.
| Test or check | What is verified? |
|---|---|
| Visual inspection | Control devices, marking and mechanical stops are present |
| Speed measurement | The reduced speed limit is not exceeded in manual mode |
| Enabling device and mode tests | The enabling device works in all three positions and mode changes are safe |
| Stop function tests | Emergency stop and protective stop halt the robot without automatic restart |
| Stopping time and distance measurement | The stopping data to be declared in the instructions |
Results are recorded in the test report and the data needed by the integrator are given in the instructions.
Where it fits in CE marking
- Risk assessment: The hazards of the robot are identified under EN ISO 12100.
- Design: Modes, stop functions and limiting devices are designed to EN ISO 10218-1.
- Verification: Speed, stopping and functional tests are carried out on the robot.
- Technical file: Risk assessment, diagrams and the test report go into the technical file.
- Declaration of conformity: EN ISO 10218-1 is listed among the standards applied.
Conformity with a harmonised standard gives presumption of conformity with the essential requirements it covers; see CE marking of machinery. A robot on its own is in most cases partly completed machinery; CE marking is applied to the completed machine in which the robot is integrated.
Standards applied together
- EN ISO 10218-2: robot systems and integration
- EN ISO 13850: emergency stop function
- EN 60204-1: electrical equipment of the machine
- EN ISO 13849-1 and EN IEC 62061: safety-related control systems
- ISO/TS 15066: technical specification for collaborative robots
Frequently asked questions
If the robot carries the manufacturer’s documents, is work still needed for the cell?
Yes. The documents of the robot do not replace the conformity of the cell; end-effector, safeguards and layout are assessed at cell level.
Can a collaborative robot be used without guards?
Collaborative features alone are not enough. The decision is made in the risk assessment of the whole application.
Which edition applies?
The edition cited in the EU Official Journal is EN ISO 10218-1:2011. A newer edition has been published by CEN; for presumption of conformity the edition cited in the Official Journal is the one that counts. The current citation should be checked before testing starts.
Other standards in this group
- EN ISO 16092-1: Presses General Safety Requirements
- EN ISO 23125: Turning Machines
- EN ISO 10218-2: Robot Systems and Integration
- EN 415-10: Packaging Machines General Requirements
