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A feminine engineer adjusts a robotic arm in a laboratory which has wires hanging out of the end. She is wearing a white lab coat with safety glasses.

Robots on the Move

Getting yours ready for the worldwide market

Robots have established their worth in a long – and growing – list of applications. Their value will continue to increase as technology advances, with double-digit annual growth projected for all segments.

Innovative companies developing new robots need more than a testing laboratory to meet regulations. They need a worldwide compliance partner – one with a global footprint, an unrivalled knowledge base, and a diverse array of services.

That’s TÜV Rheinland. No matter what your compliance needs or the type of robots or robotic cells you’ve developed, we’re your one-stop shop - ready to help you make your move into markets across the globe.

ISO 10218: Robotics are reaching new heights!

A mobile robot transporting parcels.

With the publication of the new ISO 10218-1 and -2:2025 standards, ISO has set a milestone for safety in industrial robotics. From the clear definition of mobile platforms and new robot classes to specifications on functional safety and cyber security - the revised standard brings much-needed clarity and up-to-dateness.

For manufacturers and operators, this means a need for action. Find out what specifically has changed and what you need to pay attention to now. Learn more!

What kind of robots or robot cells do you produce or integrate?

Get an overview of the regulatory requirements that are relevant for different types of robots by clicking on the category.

Personal Care Robots
Industrial Robots and Cells
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Personal care robots perform actions that improve the quality of life for humans (excluding medical applications). Mobile servant robots are capable of traveling to perform their tasks, such as handling objects or exchanging information. Because they’re intended for non-industrial areas, they’ll be used by untrained people, so safety concerns are paramount.

Personal Care Robots

Common Standards

  • ISO 13482
  • Machinery and EMC Directives
  • IEC 60204-1
  • UL 3300

Services and Solutions

  • cTUVus mark
  • Functional safety review and certification
  • Test reports, T-Marks, other international certification to ISO 13482 and IEC/EN 60204-1 as needed
  • CE Marking Assistance

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The traditional industrial robot is an actuated mechanism programmable in two or more axes. It has a degree of autonomy, moving within its environment to perform intended tasks. The robot includes the control system and that system’s interface. A robot cell is a complete system, including the robot, controller and other parts needed to allow the robot to function safely in the work environment, such as guards and conveyors.

Industrial Robots and Cells

Common Standards

  • ANSI/RIA R15.06 Part 1
  • ANSI/RIA R15.06 Part 2
  • CAN/CSA Z434 Part 1
  • CAN/CSA Z434 Part 2
  • UL 1740
  • ISO 10218-1:2011 and !NEW! EN ISO 10218-1:2025
  • ISO 10218-2:2011 and !NEW! EN ISO 10218-1:2025
  • Machinery and EMC Directives / Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230

Services and Solutions

  • cTUVus mark
  • Functional safety review and certification
  • Field evaluation
  • Test reports, certifications, other international certification to ISO 10218-1 and/or ISO 10218-2 for the robot itself or robotic cell
  • CE Marking Assistance

Autonomous Mobile Robots
Collaborative Robots
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An AMR is a multi-axis system that can independently choose a path based on its environment (as opposed to a predefined path). The robot may also be integrated with an automated attachment. Unlike personal care/mobile servant robots, these robots are intended for industrial use.

Autonomous Mobile Robots

Common Standards

  • ANSI/RIA R15.08
  • CAN/CSA Z434
  • UL 3100
  • ISO 10218-1
  • Machinery and EMC Directives / Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230

Services and Solutions

  • cTUVus mark
  • Functional safety review and certification
  • Field evaluation
  • Test reports, T-Marks, other international certification as needed

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A collaborative robot is designed for direct interaction with a human in a defined collaborative workspace. Specifically, such a workspace is defined as the area in which a robot and human can perform tasks concurrently during a production operation. (These are defined in ANSI/RIA R15.06 and ISO/TS 15066/ EN ISO 10218-2.) Collaborative robots are one of the hottest areas in the robotics field, projected to grow more than 50% annually.

Collaborative Robots

Common Standards:

  • ANSI/RIA R15.06
  • RIA/TR R15.606
  • RIA/TR R15.806
  • UL 1740
  • CAN/CSA Z434
  • ISO 10218-1:2011 and !NEW! EN ISO 10218-1:2025
  • ISO 10218-2:2011 and !NEW! EN ISO 10218-2:2025
  • ISO/TS 15066 (Requirements transferred to EN ISO 10218-2)
  • Machinery and EMC Directives / Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230

Services and Solutions

  • Test reports and potential certification in accordance with ANSI/RIA R15.06
  • Test reports and certification to UL 1740
  • Test reports and potential certification in accordance with CAN/CSA Z434
  • Evaluation of collaborative robot cells in accordance with RIA/TR R15.806 and RIA/TR R15.606
  • Test reports for robot cells in accordance with EN ISO 10218-2
  • Test reports for collaborative robot cells in accordance with ISO/TS 15066 or EN ISO 10218-2:2025
  • CE Marking Assistance

Automated Guided Vehicles
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In North America, a distinction is made between mobile robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). An AGV is a battery-powered industrial transporter or service vehicle that is operated autonomously - i.e. without a driver. AGVs have a lower level of autonomy than mobile robots. They navigate on predefined routes and cannot vary these independently. These vehicles are most commonly used in warehouses and factories to transport materials. These vehicles are most frequently used in warehouses and factories to transport materials.

Automated Guided Vehicles

Common Standards

  • UL 583
  • ANSI/ITSDF B56.1
  • ANSI/ITSDF B56.5
  • ANSI/NFPA 505
  • EN 1175-1
  • EN ISO 3691-4
  • Machinery and EMC Directives

Services and Solutions

  • cTUVus mark
  • Functional safety review and certification
  • Field evaluation
  • Test reports, certifications, other international certification as needed to ISO 3691-4, EN 1175-1
  • CE Marking Assistance

Who is TÜV Rheinland?

We are a global leader in independent inspection services, founded more than 150 years ago. Based in Cologne, Germany, we maintain a worldwide presence of more than 25,000 employees working to ensure quality and safety. Our network of experts participate in the entire process of getting robots and robot cells to market, from development to deployment. Not only does our team understand the key industry standards for robotics, we help create them.

TÜV Rheinland has participated in or contributed to the following prominent industry committees:

  • ISO/TC 299 WG 2 – ISO 13482 standards committees
  • ISO/TC 299 WG 3 – ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2 standards committees
  • Member of the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) and participates on the ANSI/RIA R15.06 and RIA R15.08 committees
  • ISO/TC 199 WG8 – ISO 13849 standards committee for functional safety
  • Member of the UL 1740 (Robots) Standards Technical Panel (STP)
  • Member of the UL 3100 Automated Mobile Platforms (AMPs) Standards Technical Panel (STP)
  • Member of the UL 3300 Service, Communication, Information, Education and Entertainment Robots – SCIEE Robots Standards Technical Panel (STP)

Let’s talk about how we can bring our expertise to your project.

Contact Us

Trust our experts

Man checking the performance of a robotic arm on a tablet.

Visit our download area to access our expert-led, on-demand webinar series on robotics, insightful brochures and white papers, and our "Ask the Experts" video featuring machine safety specialist Ryan Braman. Learn more!

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Worldwide automation and robot safety solutions. Bring our expertise to your project.

Worldwide automation and robot safety solutions. Bring our expertise to your project.

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