ANSI/RIA R15.06

Part 1 sets safety requirements for robot manufacturers, such as stopping functions, speed and force limits and control reliability. Part 2 covers integrators and users of robot systems and cells, including risk assessment, safeguarding, collaborative operation and validation. A separate Part 3 addresses users. The standard is voluntary, but OSHA uses it as a reference for recognized robot hazards and feasible safeguards, and many buyers require conformance.

R15.06 governs the robot arms used in piece picking, palletizing, depalletizing and packing cells in fulfillment centers. The 2025 edition folds collaborative robot rules into the main standard, so integrators and users must document risk assessments for any arm working near people. For example, a 3PL adding a robotic each-picking cell next to manual pack stations should get the integrator's R15.06 risk assessment and validation records, and repeat them if it changes the cell's guarding or workflow.

• Robotic Piece PickingRobot arm that picks single items
• Collaborative RobotCobotRobot that works safely next to people

• ANSI/RIA R15.082020, Part 2 2023 · US safety standard for industrial mobile robots
• EU Machinery Regulation2023, applies from January 2027 · EU safety rules for machinery, applying from 2027

1. A3: ANSI and A3 publish revised R15.06 industrial robot safety standard automate.org
2. ANSI Blog: ANSI/A3 R15.06-2025 robot safety blog.ansi.org