ISO 8100-20:2018

Overview

ISO 8100-20:2018 - "Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 20: Global essential safety requirements (GESRs)" defines a global set of essential safety objectives for lifts (elevators), their components and functions. The standard establishes a system and methods for identifying and minimizing safety risks that arise during the operation, use or work on lifts. It states what must be achieved (safety objectives) rather than prescribing how to achieve it, enabling innovation while maintaining consistent safety levels.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: Applies to lifts located in permanent structures (not lifts in means of transport such as ships), regardless of rated load, size, speed, travel distance or number of landings. It addresses effects from fire in the load-carrying unit (LCU), earthquakes, weather and flooding, and foreseeable misuse (e.g., overloading).
• Risk-based approach and methodology: Clause 4 describes the approach used to derive the GESRs; Clause 5 explains implementation, applicability and verification of compliance. The standard relies on documented risk assessment and mitigation measures.
• GESRs (Clause 6): Global essential safety requirements cover hazards related to:
  • People adjacent to the lift (e.g., falling into the well)
  • Entrances and egress (alignment, gaps, door reopening)
  • Persons inside the LCU (strength, support/suspension, uncontrolled movement, fire/smoke, ventilation, overload)
  • Working areas and maintenance zones (access, strength, fall hazards, electrical safety, illumination)
  • Environmental influences, hazardous materials, electromagnetic compatibility and emergency/evacuation considerations
• Implementation guidance: Annex A maps GESRs to lift subsystems; Annex B offers information relevant to the EU market; Annex C compares GESRs with EU EHSRs.

Practical applications

• Use ISO 8100-20 for: safety assessments, conformity assessment, design validation, specification writing, product development and regulatory alignment.
• Supports manufacturers and innovators seeking alternative lift technologies while demonstrating equivalent safety.
• Helps harmonize safety expectations across markets, reducing trade barriers and facilitating international deployment of lift systems.

Who will use this standard

• Standards writers and technical committees
• Lift designers, manufacturers and component suppliers
• Installers, maintenance and service organizations
• Inspection, testing and conformity assessment bodies
• Regulators and building code authorities seeking alignment with global safety objectives

Related standards and references

• ISO 8100 series (other parts)
• ISO/TS 8100-21 (Global Safety Parameters - GSPs)
• ISO/TR 11071 series, ISO 14798 (methodological background)
• EU Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU and Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (referenced for European application)

Keywords: ISO 8100-20, GESRs, lift safety, elevator safety, lift components, risk assessment, ISO 8100 series.