Nouvelles normes européennes relatives aux cobots : ce que les entreprises doivent savoir avant 2027
Why cobots are getting new norms
Cobots are becoming a core part of European industry. Unlike traditional robots that stay behind a cage, a cobot shares the workspace with people, which makes production more flexible.
More contact between human and robot also means new risks. That is why the EU introduced the new European norms for cobots, modernising the safety rules and getting companies ready for an automated future.
The important changes come from two places:
- The EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230, which applies from 20 January 2027.
- The updated ISO 10218-1 and 10218-2 standards, published in 2025.
Together they reshape how cobots have to be designed, integrated and used across Europe.
Le règlement (UE) n° 2023/1230 relatif aux machines
It replaces the old Machinery Directive and brings:
- Des exigences de sécurité renforcées pour les robots avancés et les machines collaboratives.
- Clearer responsibilities for manufacturers, importers and distributors.
- Cybersecurity as part of machine safety.
- Stricter conformity assessments before CE marking, for the high risk machinery categories listed in Annex I, such as certain AI based safety functions. Most standard machinery can still be self assessed.
It applies from 20 January 2027. The last day you can place machinery on the market under the old Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is 19 January 2027, so there is still time to adapt.
ISO 10218: the focus moves to applications
The new ISO 10218-1 and 10218-2 update the safety rules for industrial robots. What changed:
- The collaborative safety guidance that used to sit in ISO/TS 15066 is now integrated.
- Robots are split into Class 1 and Class 2, based on risk.
- Safety functions such as emergency stop, protective stop and speed monitoring now have default performance levels (PL and SIL).
- The focus shifts from "collaborative robots" to collaborative applications.
So you no longer assess just the robot. You assess the whole setup: the tools, the layout, and what the operator does.
What you have to do
1. Risk assessment
Every cobot application needs a proper risk assessment covering:
- How people interact with the cell.
- Force, speed and pressure limits.
- Safeguarding and emergency stops.
2. Safety functions
Cobots have to meet the default performance levels. If you deviate, you document the analysis that justifies it.
3. Cybersécurité
Safety now covers software and connectivity. Remote updates, network access and firmware all have to be protected against tampering.
4. Training and documentation
Operators need real training. Manuals have to explain the safety procedures clearly, and you keep the technical file and the compliance records.
Mistakes we see
- Assuming a cobot is safe out of the box.
- Leaving cybersecurity out of the safety plan.
- Leaning on the old ISO/TS 15066 instead of the new ISO 10218.
- Forgetting that compliance sits with the manufacturer and the end user.
Why compliance is worth it
It is not only a burden:
- Trust and reputation. Customers value safe, certified equipment.
- Future proofing. Getting there early saves you a costly retrofit later.
- A head start. Companies with compliant cobots will be ahead when the regulation kicks in.
FAQ
When do the new norms become mandatory?
The EU Machinery Regulation applies from 20 January 2027. The ISO standards are already recommended.
Do existing cobots need replacing?
Not always, but upgrades may be needed for safety and cybersecurity.
What happened to ISO/TS 15066?
It is now integrated into ISO 10218-2.
Who is responsible for compliance?
Both the manufacturer, for the design, and the end user, for the application risk assessment.
Why is cybersecurity in there?
Because a connected cobot faces hacking and unauthorised updates, and both can cause accidents.
Prepare today, lead tomorrow
The new European norms for cobots are not just rules. They are a roadmap for safer, smarter automation.
Companies that start adapting now avoid a last minute compliance bill, protect their people, and build an advantage.
By 2027, compliance will not just be mandatory. It will be the mark of a trusted, future ready robotics business. Wondering what the new rules mean for a cell you are planning? Contact TMC Robotics or browse our Fairino cobots.
