September 2026 Standards Update: Major Advancements in Manufacturing Engineering

September 2026 marks a significant milestone for the manufacturing engineering sector, with the publication of five pivotal international standards. These updates introduce new requirements for ground surveillance in nuclear facilities, standardized energy measurement for industrial robots, and substantial revisions to the foundational functional safety series for programmable electronic systems. Together, these standards are poised to elevate safety, efficiency, and compliance across a diverse range of industries. This comprehensive article provides a deep dive into each standard, practical guidance on compliance, and actionable insights for manufacturing professionals.

Overview

Manufacturing engineering is evolving rapidly with the convergence of automation, robotics, and high-integrity safety systems. Standards play an essential role in ensuring that new technologies are implemented safely, sustainably, and efficiently. In this article, we'll explore the latest international standards released in September 2026—a particularly active month for regulatory development. These standards range from mission-critical nuclear applications to broader industrial automation, impacting engineers, quality professionals, and compliance leaders alike.

What you'll learn:

• The technical scope and requirements of all five newly published standards
• Their implications on safety, performance, and energy management
• Who must comply with these standards
• Best practices for implementing and certifying compliance

Detailed Standards Coverage

IEC 63048-1:2026 – Mobile Remotely Controlled Systems (MRCSs) for Nuclear and Radiological Applications - Part 1: Particular Requirements for Ground Surveillance

Full Standard Title: Mobile Remotely Controlled Systems (MRCSs) for Nuclear and Radiological Applications – Part 1: Particular Requirements for Ground Surveillance

Summary: IEC 63048-1:2026 defines the mission, design, and verification requirements for ground-based MRCSs used in nuclear and radiological environments. These systems enable safe, remote surveillance activities in high-risk zones where human access is restrictive—such as nuclear power plants, research reactors, and radioactive waste storage sites.

Scope & Requirements:

• Mission specifications: Includes mapping radiation distribution, inspecting infrastructure, and monitoring environmental factors.
• Operating conditions: Includes high, intermediate, and low radiation scenarios, demanding robust radiation, thermal, and explosion protection. Communication reliability and waterproofing are also specified.
• Reliability and functional requirements: Mandates fail-safe functionality, radiation and thermal tolerance, robust communications, and environmental resilience.
• Operational/testing requirements: Verification and validation regimes are provided, with specific test requirements for deployment in radiological zones.

Target Audience:

• Nuclear facility operators
• Robotics system integrators
• Safety and compliance managers

Practical Implications:

• Enhanced operator safety by minimizing human exposure to radiation
• Improved data quality and response during normal operation and emergencies

Notable Updates:

• Detailed mission profiles for surveillance activities
• New guidance on risk analysis and environmental hardening
• Expanded test protocols for ground MRCS reliability

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive reliability requirements for mission-critical surveillance
• Definitions for radiation, thermal, explosion, and waterproof ratings
• Verification methods aligned with latest nuclear safety practices

Access the full standard:View IEC 63048-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO/TS 25213:2026 – Robotics: Test Methods for Measuring the Energy Consumption of 6-Axis Articulated Industrial Robots

Full Standard Title: Robotics — Test Methods for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Robots — 6-Axis Articulated Industrial Robots

Summary: ISO/TS 25213:2026 introduces standardized procedures for measuring and reporting energy consumption in 6-axis articulated industrial robots. With energy efficiency becoming a priority in modern manufacturing, this technical specification empowers organizations to benchmark and optimize robotic equipment performance.

Scope & Requirements:

• Applies to: 6-axis, articulated, industrial robots (excludes service, medical, SCARA, AMRs, and Delta robots)
• Measurement setup: Defines robotic mounting, environmental control, payload specification, and equipment calibration
• Testing methodology: Describes how to record energy use during idle, moving, and stationary modes—including acceleration, warm-up, and payload effects
• Reporting: Standardizes the content of the test report, ensuring comparable results across manufacturers and users

Target Audience:

• Robot manufacturers
• Factory automation integrators
• Energy managers

Practical Implications:

• Enables cross-comparison of energy efficiency between different robot models and manufacturers
• Supports procurement decisions and sustainability initiatives
• Facilitates compliance with energy management systems (e.g., ISO 50001)

Notable Updates:

• Introduction of Energy Efficiency Coefficient (EEC) metrics
• Detailed guidance on environmental conditions for valid measurement
• Two-stage payload testing for real-world applicability

Key highlights:

• Repeatable methodology for rigorous energy measurement
• Covers both stationary and dynamic operational modes
• Enables transparent efficiency benchmarking across industry

Access the full standard:View ISO/TS 25213:2026 on iTeh Standards

prEN IEC 61508-3:2025 – Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Electronic Safety-Related Systems - Part 3: Software Requirements

Full Standard Title: Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Electronic Safety-Related Systems – Part 3: Software Requirements

Summary: prEN IEC 61508-3:2025 is a cornerstone for functional safety in modern industrial automation. Focusing on software, this updated edition details lifecycle requirements for safety-related software used in programmable electronic safety systems, including management procedures, development and modification, test planning, and systematic capability.

Scope & Requirements:

• Applies to: All safety-related software for electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic (E/E/PE) systems
• Lifecycle management: Requirements for documentation, planning, and safety assessment from concept through decommissioning
• Design and validation: Specifies test protocols, validation planning, and verification methods to maintain safety integrity
• Modification and maintenance: Guidance for safe software updates and systematic avoidance of faults

Target Audience:

• Safety system developers
• Software engineers (industrial automation)
• Functional safety managers

Practical Implications:

• Reduces the risk of software-induced failures in safety-critical applications
• Assures demonstrable compliance during audits and certifications
• Supports integration with hardware requirements and lifecycle management

Notable Updates:

• Expanded annexes on model-based development
• Enhanced focus on off-line support tools and independent verification
• New techniques for non-interference and modular validation

Key highlights:

• Full lifecycle coverage, from design to operation and modification
• Systematic capability tables and verification matrices
• Comprehensive annexes (e.g., techniques, data-driven systems, software tools)

Access the full standard:View prEN IEC 61508-3:2025 on iTeh Standards

prEN IEC 61508-2:2025 – Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Electronic Safety-Related Systems - Part 2: Requirements for E/E/PE Safety-Related Systems

Full Standard Title: Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Electronic Safety-Related Systems – Part 2: Requirements for Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Electronic Safety-Related Systems

Summary: As part of the foundational IEC 61508 functional safety series, Part 2 addresses requirements for the design, implementation, integration, and validation of E/E/PE safety-related systems. This revision brings the latest in safety lifecycle methodology, systematic fault avoidance, and diagnostic strategies for complex systems.

Scope & Requirements:

• Applicability: Electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic systems used for safety functions across industrial sectors
• Lifecycle: Comprehensive coverage from system design and development through validation, operation, and maintenance
• Architectural constraints: Defines requirements for safety integrity levels (SIL), failure fraction, and system reliability
• Diagnostic and validation: Rigorous protocols for fault detection, safe failure fraction, and common cause analysis

Target Audience:

• System architects
• Process automation engineers
• Safety compliance officers

Practical Implications:

• Ensures traceability and validation of all safety-related functions
• Enables quantification and control of both hardware and systematic failures
• Direct linkages to subsequent software and lifecycle standards (see Parts 3 & 4)

Notable Updates:

• Updated methods for quantifying random and systematic hardware failures
• Enhanced tables for diagnostic coverage and techniques
• Improved architectural frameworks for fault tolerance

Key highlights:

• Safety integrity targets tailored for a wide variety of manufacturing applications
• Integrated methodologies for validation and verification
• Codified best practices for robust E/E/PE system deployment

Access the full standard:View prEN IEC 61508-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

prEN IEC 61508-4:2025 – Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Electronic Safety-Related Systems - Part 4: Definitions and Abbreviations

Full Standard Title: Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Electronic Safety-Related Systems – Part 4: Definitions and Abbreviations

Summary: This new edition ensures consistency and clarity in terminology for all parts of the IEC 61508 series. prEN IEC 61508-4:2025 brings updated and expanded definitions for safety, system architecture, lifecycle activities, and more—crucial for anyone working on functional safety implementation or compliance.

Scope & Requirements:

• Coverage: All definitions and abbreviations needed for understanding and applying IEC 61508 Parts 1–3
• Updates: Expanded entries for new technologies such as artificial intelligence and enhanced diagnostics
• Usage: Reference source for documentation, safety assessments, and training

Target Audience:

• Standards compliance teams
• Functional safety specialists
• Technical writers and trainers

Practical Implications:

• Promotes unambiguous communication in multi-disciplinary teams
• Ensures consistent application and interpretation of functional safety provisions

Notable Updates:

• New sections on software tools and AI
• Clarified terms for diagnostic functions, independence, and lifecycle roles

Key highlights:

• Indexes and comprehensive figures for rapid reference
• Normative and informative definitions for robust documentation
• Aligned with 2024 ISO/IEC directives

Access the full standard:View prEN IEC 61508-4:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

These September 2026 standards introduce both opportunities and responsibilities for manufacturers and suppliers:

• Enhanced safety and reliability: Organizations adopting these standards will strengthen safety and product integrity across critical infrastructure, robotics, and high-consequence industrial settings.
• Legal and regulatory alignment: Many jurisdictions require compliance with international standards like IEC 61508 for operating, licensing, or insuring safety-related systems.
• Competitive advantage: Transparent energy benchmarking (ISO/TS 25213:2026) and functional safety credentials open doors to global contracts and green procurement initiatives.
• Compliance timelines: Immediate awareness and planning are crucial. Transition periods may apply, and organizations should review their existing systems for required updates or gap analyses.
• Risks of non-compliance: Potential for regulatory penalties, increased liability, audit failure, or reputational risk if standards are ignored.

Recommended actions:

1. Review the full published texts (see links above) to understand requirements in detail.
2. Identify and prioritize systems/facilities impacted by these changes.
3. Initiate compliance projects—especially for systems performing safety functions or deploying new robotics.
4. Update internal policies to align training and documentation with the latest definitions (see IEC 61508-4).
5. Engage certification bodies early if third-party validation is required.

Technical Insights

Several technical themes recur across these new standards:

• Lifecycle management: From initial concept to decommissioning, lifecycle activities are critical for both safety and performance. Adherence to the latest IEC 61508 parts ensures best practice is built in from the ground up.
• Verification and validation: Rigorous test regimes, traceability matrices, and documented validation activities are now codified within these standards.
• Energy measurement: Standardized procedures in robotic systems advance both operational cost control and sustainability reporting.
• Diagnostic and fault tolerance: Updated hardware and software safety requirements bring new best practices for robust diagnostics, systematic error control, and architectural fault containment.

Best Practices:

• Integrate standards early into design/project planning
• Maintain comprehensive documentation and test records
• Undertake regular risk assessments and periodic trainings
• Employ model-based development and independent validation for safety software
• Benchmark energy use of new robots to drive efficiency improvements

Conclusion / Next Steps

September 2026 has ushered in a new era of standards-driven manufacturing excellence. By embracing these five new and revised standards, organizations can confidently pursue safer operations, optimized energy usage, and world-class functional safety compliance. Leaders in engineering, quality, compliance, and procurement are encouraged to:

• Review each published standard in full using the links above
• Map requirements to current systems and workflows
• Engage with industry peers, certification bodies, and training providers to streamline adoption

Stay at the forefront of manufacturing engineering by leveraging the best-available standards. For the complete library and ongoing updates, explore iTeh Standards at https://standards.iteh.ai.