Overview
IEC GUIDE 127:2026 – Guidelines for Safety-Related Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction for Collaborative Safety Systems provides essential recommendations for drafting standards that include safety aspects involving human-machine collaboration. Developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), this Guide focuses on situations where humans, machines, and their operational context interact to effectively mitigate risks by implementing robust protective measures. It extends established guidelines-supplementing ISO/IEC Guide 51 and IEC Guide 116-with additional considerations specifically tailored to collaborative safety systems.
The document emphasizes a holistic approach to safety, covering the complete lifecycle of a product or system, from design and production to maintenance and disposal. It is intended for use by standards developers, designers, operators, regulators, and policy makers who need to incorporate collaborative safety principles into technical standards and operational practices. Collaborative safety is key in environments where humans and machines coexist or interact, such as manufacturing, logistics, and automated systems.
Key Topics
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Tripartite Model for Collaborative Safety
Collaborative safety is achieved when humans, machines, and the operational context collectively provide protective measures. This tripartite model facilitates risk communication, system adaptability, and effective joint operation.
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Principles of Risk Reduction
The Guide applies a three-step risk reduction approach:
- Step 1: Inherently safe design measures
- Step 2: Safeguarding and complementary protective measures (including collaborative ones)
- Step 3: Information for use and additional user-driven measures
Special focus is given to Steps 2 and 3, where collaborative measures are most effective.
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Holistic Risk Assessment
The Guide addresses risk dynamics by accommodating evolving interactions between people, machines, and environments. This approach ensures risks are continually assessed and reduced to acceptable levels.
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Risk Elements and Control
The Guide underscores the need to evaluate distinct and interrelated risks arising from humans (e.g., skill level, misuse), machines (e.g., autonomy, failure modes), and operational contexts (e.g., environmental factors, workplace layouts). It stresses both technical and human factors in risk mitigation.
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Iterative Risk Management
Risk assessments and reduction strategies require ongoing feedback between component designers, system integrators, and end users to ensure that protective measures remain effective as operational conditions change.
Applications
IEC GUIDE 127:2026 is highly relevant to industries and activities where collaborative safety between humans and machines is vital:
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Industry and Manufacturing
Ensures the safe coexistence of humans with robots, autonomous vehicles, and machinery by incorporating collaborative safety principles into machinery safety standards.
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Automated Warehouses and Logistics
Supports safer operations where workers and automated equipment share the same workspace.
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Consumer Electronics and Smart Home Devices
Promotes safety in environments where people interact with smart systems and devices alongside traditional equipment.
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Public and Private Facilities
Addresses dynamic risks in varied environments, such as commercial buildings, homes, and outdoor operations.
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Design and Standardization
Provides guidance for technical committees and standards developers drafting safety standards for a range of technologies and operational scenarios involving human-machine interaction.
Related Standards
For comprehensive and up-to-date practices in collaborative safety and risk assessment, refer to the following IEC and ISO standards:
- ISO/IEC Guide 51:2014 – Safety aspects: Guidelines for their inclusion in standards
- IEC Guide 116:2018 – Guidelines for safety-related risk assessment and risk reduction for low voltage equipment
- IEC 62061:2021 – Safety of machinery: Functional safety of safety-related control systems
- ISO 13849-1:2023 – Safety-related parts of control systems
- ISO/IEC Guide 63 – Guidelines for safety in medical devices (not included in the scope of IEC Guide 127)
- ISO/IEC TR 5469:2024 – Artificial intelligence: Functional safety and AI systems
- IEC TS 62998-1:2019 / IEC TS 62998-3:2023 – Safety-related sensors for the protection of persons
IEC GUIDE 127:2026 serves as a foundational resource for organizations seeking to manage safety in collaborative environments, fostering innovation while safeguarding people, assets, and operations.