Global Robotics Standards
A3 Robotics: Leading the Way in Industry Safety
As industrial robots continue to become more advanced, more capable, and more popular on the international stage, the need for comprehensive robot safety standards increases exponentially.
What Are Standards?
An Industry Consensus Standard is typically developed through a consensus process that provides normative and informative guidance. It is drafted by a volunteer committee of representatives of concerned interests such as manufacturers, users, regulators, suppliers, integrators, consultants, and academia. Standards become law when adopted by a regulatory agency.
Why Standards?
Voluntary standards are important and beneficial to their industries. The more widespread the use of the standard, the bigger the potential market for goods or services that comply with that standard.
For our multinational users and producers of robotics – in other words, for all A3 members and others in the industry – standards help create and stabilize markets.
What is A3 Robotics’ Role?
A3 provides leadership, coordination, administration, communication, and education for the development of standards in the robotics industry.
NEWLY REVISED R15.06-2025
After nearly eight years of work, A3 has published the revised ANSI/A3 R15.06-2025 American National Standard for Industrial Robots and Robot Systems- Safety Requirements. This is the global flagship standard for industrial robot safety. In its first major revision since 2011, these new documents offer a significant leap forward in ensuring the safety of robotics in industrial environments.
R15.06 includes three parts.
- Part 1: Industrial Robots
- Part 2: Industrial Robot Applications and Robot Cells
- Part 3: Use of Industrial Robot Cells
The new R15.06 Parts 1 and 2 feature extensive updates that focus on making functional safety requirements more explicit rather than implied. This shift enhances clarity and usability, making compliance more straightforward for manufacturers and integrators alike.
Purchase PDFParticipate in a Committee!
A3 Robotics – formerly the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) – sponsors the development of ANSI and ISO standards applicable to the robotics industry. Drafting committees are formed for various topics of interest.
Participation is open to “anyone with a direct and material interest” in the work being done. Participation is divided into Voting and Associate memberships.
Voting members representing companies must have the express backing of their employer to ensure availability to travel and attend scheduled meetings.
Global Robotics Standards Committees
A3 Robotics Standards Development Committee (SDC)
- SDC Members are A3 Members; represent the A3 Robotics Board of Directors
- The SDC provides oversight, sets direction, and gives input to A3's standards work
ANSI: R15, Industrial Robotics Standards in the U.S.
R15 Standards Approval Committee (SAC)
This is the ANSI-accredited consensus body that votes on decisions relating to ANSI standards in the field of Robotics. This is the group that decides whether or not a given document drafted by the sub-committees R15.06 or R15.08 is ready for publication as an American National Standard or ANSI-registered A3 Technical Report (TR).
R15.06, Drafting Subcommittee on Industrial Robot Safety
R15.08, Drafting Subcommittee on Industrial Mobile Robot Safety
U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO TC 299 (“U.S. TAG”)
Accredited by ANSI to administer ANSI’s membership in the ISO Technical Committee 299, Robotics
Establishes the U.S. position on votes within the ISO TC 299
Appoints U.S. Expert Members to Working Groups (WGs) within ISO TC 299
ISO Technical Committee (TC) 299, Robotics
WG 1, Vocabulary and characteristics
WG 2, Service robot safety
WG 3, Industrial robot safety
WG 4, Service robot performance
JWG 5, Medical robot safety (Joint with 3 IEC groups)
WG 6, Modularity for service robots
WG 7, Management system for service robots
WG 8, Biomechanical data and validation methods for physical human-robot interactions
WG 9, Electrical interfaces for industrial robot end-effectors
WG 10, Industrial mobile robot interoperability and communication
WG 11, Measuring energy consumption for industrial robots
WG 12, Safety of dynamically stable industrial mobile robots (legged, wheeled or other forms of locomotion)
WG 13, Safety requirements of industrial and service robotics
WG 14, Safety requirements for industrial mobile robots
WG 15, Infrastructure for robot applications
WG 16, Humanoid robot datasets