Robots & Robotic Testing and Certification Solutions

From collaborative robots in the automotive industry, to autonomous mobile storage for the retail industry, to robotic personal assistants in your day-to-day activities, Intertek supports the robotic industry across the new industrial revolution.

Working together with robot manufacturers, we deliver extensive risk assessment and compliance evaluations to ensure that standalone robots, or robotics as part of an overall automated system, comply with global safety and performance standards.

Evaluation of robotic products consider multiple aspects and features such as electrical and mechanical safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), electromagnetic interference (EMI), battery testing, functional safety, cybersecurity, field evaluation and inspection, and the broad range of regional and country-specific directives and requirements. Different requirements will apply depending upon the product’s characteristics and application.

Our services span a range of industries and applications:

• Industrial robots
• Collaborative robots
• Personal care robots
• Domestic robots
• AGVs and AMR
• Logistics equipment
• Medical robots

Robots & Robotics: Global Quality & Compliance Fact Sheet

European Requirements

Robots in the EU are regulated based on their application. Industrial robots fall into the scope of the Machinery and EMC Directive. Manufacturers should follow existing EN and ISO standards on robotic devices, several are harmonized under the Machinery Directive.

Relevant regulations and standards:

• EN ISO 10218-1: Robots and robotic devices - Safety requirements for industrial robots
• EN ISO 10218-2: Robots and robotic devices - Safety requirements for industrial robots; robot systems and integration
• EN ISO 13482: Robots and robotic devices - Safety requirements for personal care robots
• ISO/TS 15066: Robots and robotic devices - Collaborative robots
• EN 61000-6-2: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) Part 6-2: Generic standards - Immunity standard for industrial environments
• EN 61000-6-4: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) Part 6-4: Generic standards - Emission standard for industrial environments

Under specific applications, such as potentially explosive environment, the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU shall also be considered. If the safety of machinery is governed by safety distance, then EN 13857 shall be applied to prevent hazard zones being reach by upper/lower limbs, or apply sensory devices as a solution. Other machinery standards may also be applicable, such as EN ISO 12100, ISO 13849-1, and others.

In addition, some robots will need to comply with the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), which establishes safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements for equipment using the radio spectrum. We provide guidance on RED requirements, as well as comprehensive testing and certification services.

North American Requirements

A series of standards have been developed for the North American market which, together with existing international standards, ensure a high degree of safety evaluation.

Relevant regulations and standards:

ANSI/RIA R15.06: American National Standard for Industrial Robots and Robot Systems- Safety Requirements

• ANSI/UL 1740: Standard for Robots and Robotic Equipment
• CAN/CSA Z434: Industrial robots and robot systems
• ANSI/CAN/UL 3100: Standard for Safety for Automated Mobile Platforms (AMPs)
• EN ISO 10218-1: Robots and robotic devices - Safety requirements for industrial robots
• EN ISO 10218-2: Robots and robotic devices - Safety requirements for industrial robots; robot systems and integration
• ISO 13482: Robots and robotic devices - Safety requirements for personal care robots
• IEC 61508-1: Functional safety of electrical/ electronic/ programmable electronic safety-related systems; Part 1: General requirements
• IEC 61508-2: Functional safety of electrical/ electronic/ programmable electronic safety-related systems. Part 2: Requirements for electrical/ electronic/ programmable electronic safety-related systems
• IEC 62061: Safety of machinery - Functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic control systems

Intertek is a leading robotics service provider across our 1000 global locations. Our analytical and compliance expertise uniquely quality us to guide your robotic products through product development and launch to global markets. Contact Intertek today to discuss a bespoke evaluation and compliance plan for your products.