Are suppliers ready for new robot safety standards?

KUKA is one of the world's leading suppliers of robotics for the automotive industry. Questions about the updated ISO 10218 safety standard are increasingly being heard in the industry.

The debate is centered on the requirements for CE certification in Europe, with ISO 10218 remaining the key safety standard for industrial robots within this system.

What does ISO 10218:2025 change?

ISO 10218:2025 is an updated safety standard for industrial robots. It will become mandatory for CE marked products under the new European Machinery Regulation.

The legal transition is expected around 2027. However, weakness in European manufacturing demand and possible pressure on SME costs could push back full implementation beyond this time frame.

Unlike the mandatory European CE system, a similar standard update in the US is voluntary. Although in reality compliance remains commercially necessary.

The world's major vendors are mostly ready, but there are noticeable gaps among mid-sized and emerging vendors. Once adopted, the new standard will likely strengthen the position of established players and increase the risks of market entry for those less prepared.

Regulatory transition is already underway

The regulatory landscape is changing in a clear direction. In Europe, the current legislation, the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, will be replaced by the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 on 20 January 2027.

However, the timing of one critical step remains unclear: the official inclusion of ISO 10218:2025 in the Official Journal of the European Union. This is a prerequisite for the standard to gain full legal force under the new regulation. Once the process is complete, ISO 10218:2025 will become a mandatory requirement for access to the European market.

Historically, when the 2011 edition of ISO 10218 was introduced, the process of harmonization and publication in OJEU took more than a year. If similar timelines are followed, the 2025 review would closely coincide with the 2027 regulatory transition. The process is still ongoing as of mid-2026.

In the US, the Association for the Advancement of Automation and the American National Standards Institute jointly released the updated safety standard R15.06-2025 in September 2025, bringing it into line with international ISO standards. However, unlike the European system, ANSI standards are voluntary recommendations and not legally binding requirements for market access.

Market under pressure

The European robotics market is currently operating in conditions of rather sluggish demand. From 2023 to 2025, the market contracted due to the slowdown in the manufacturing industry, especially in the automotive sector. Industrial customers have taken a cautious investment stance and are constantly under pressure on costs, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.

In the near term, updating the security standard will require vendors to make additional investments to comply. But those suppliers who navigate this transition effectively will be in a better position to serve an increasingly security-conscious European customer base - especially when demand recovers.

In the US market, the new safety standard is comparatively more flexible as it is a voluntary industry framework. However, large customers and system integrators often require ANSI/RIA compliance in purchasing specifications, and regulators like OSHA may use it as a guideline for inspections.

In practice, failure to comply with these standards will still result in serious fines if an accident occurs. So compliance is a realistic need for vendors targeting the US market.

Although the US robotics market has shown signs of recovery since the second half of 2025, external pressures - especially geopolitical tensions and high oil prices - continue to limit the pace of improvement. In such an environment, regulatory harmonization and compliance efforts are just one of many operational challenges for market participants.

Shipments of industrial robots showed weak dynamics in the Americas and EMEA region in the period from 2023 to 2025.

Readiness varies dramatically

Our interviews with robot manufacturers revealed a clear divergence in preparedness for the new safety standard. Major international vendors, including leading players and top collaborative robot brands, are well aware of the coming changes. They unanimously declare that they are ready for the new standard.

But mid-level companies and start-up suppliers demonstrate serious gaps in awareness. Even some European manufacturers were not so prepared - they had little understanding of the specific requirements of ISO 10218:2025.

Particularly lagging behind are Asian newcomers, primarily from China, who are entering or planning to expand into the European market. For many of them, compliance requirements and associated R&D costs have become a major and underappreciated barrier.

Uneven readiness will generate new competition

If ISO 10218:2025 is officially adopted in Europe before the 2027 deadline, compliance dynamics will likely strengthen the position of established global players. They have both the resources and institutional knowledge to navigate this transition. For new Asian entrants, this creates a significant headwind - just at a time when they are investing heavily in European expansion.

However, general weakness in demand for European production and possible pressure on costs of small and medium-sized businesses may push back the full legal transition beyond 2027.

In the US, the robotics market is still controlled by established vendors like FANUC. The new security standard will add pressure on emerging players - in addition to existing problems like tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty. But it will not be the decisive factor.

Overall, the standard update is expected to benefit better-prepared, established vendors and further strengthen their market position.

The direction of movement is obvious. ISO 10218:2025 reflects increased safety requirements - which is in the long-term interests of both the industry and end users of robots. In Europe, it is still unclear whether the full legal transition will be completed by 2027 - the market is sluggish.

But once implementation occurs, well-prepared suppliers will benefit, while those who are not may face market access challenges. So robot manufacturers and system integrators of all sizes should treat preparation as a strategic priority rather than an annoying compliance formality.