ISO 10218-2:2011

Overview

ISO 10218-2:2011 - "Robots and robotic devices - Safety requirements for industrial robots - Part 2: Robot systems and integration" specifies safety requirements for the integration, installation and life‑cycle activities of industrial robot systems and robot cells. It covers design, manufacturing, installation, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of robot systems and their component devices. The standard identifies basic hazards and hazardous situations and provides requirements to eliminate or reduce associated risks for integrated robotic installations (excluding specific process hazards such as laser radiation or welding fumes).

Key Topics

• Hazard identification and risk assessment: guidance for identifying system- and cell-level hazards and performing risk reduction in line with ISO 12100.
• Safety-related control systems: performance expectations for hardware and software that implement safety functions (stop, enabling devices, program verification).
• Design and installation: requirements for physical layout, guarding, access/egress, and limiting robot motion.
• Safeguarding and protective measures: selection and placement of guards, distance guards, interlocks, pressure-sensitive devices, and electro‑sensitive protective equipment.
• Collaborative robot operation: criteria and conceptual applications for robots designed to share workspace with humans.
• Maintenance, commissioning and verification: procedures for commissioning, verification and validation of safety measures, and documentation requirements.
• Integrated Manufacturing Systems (IMS) interface: guidance when robot systems are part of larger automated lines or systems.
• Information for use: required instruction handbooks, marking and operational information for stakeholders.

Applications and Who Uses It

ISO 10218-2 is practical for anyone responsible for safe robotic integration and operation:

• System integrators implementing robot cells or multi‑robot lines
• Robot manufacturers and suppliers providing compliant components and documentation
• Plant engineers and safety engineers responsible for risk assessment and safeguarding
• Maintenance teams and commissioning personnel verifying functional safety and documentation
• Compliance officers and auditors demonstrating conformance with international robot safety best practices

Typical applications include robot cell layout and guarding design, specification of safety control systems, safe integration of robots into production lines, and establishing safe collaborative workspaces.

Related Standards

ISO 10218-2 complements and references other standards, including:

• ISO 10218-1 (robot-only safety requirements)
• ISO 12100 (risk assessment and risk reduction)
• ISO 11161 (integrated manufacturing systems)
• IEC/ISO standards for control systems and protective devices (e.g., ISO 13849, IEC 60204 series)

Adopting ISO 10218-2 helps organizations reduce risk, improve compliance, and design safer industrial robot systems across manufacturing environments.