ISO 8100-1/2:2026 Officially Released: Global Elevator Safety Specifications Enter Unified Upgrade Phase


Q: What are the core technical changes of the 2026 edition ISO 8100 series standards compared with the old EN 81 standards?

A: The new standards are jointly developed by ISO and CEN, with the European versions EN ISO 8100-1/2 released simultaneously with identical content. The core technical upgrades mainly include six aspects: First, it approves new load-bearing devices beyond traditional steel wire ropes, such as coated belts and synthetic ropes. Second, it upgrades door system safety requirements, adding anti-pinch protection specifications for vertical and horizontal sliding doors, and raising the strength indicators of car doors and landing doors. Third, it introduces the concept of SIL-rated safety circuits to replace the original PESSRAL system, with higher testability requirements for safety functions. Fourth, it incorporates cybersecurity considerations for the first time, aligning with the ISO 8102-20 elevator cybersecurity standard to adapt to the development trend of smart elevators. Fifth, it adds mandatory requirements for automatic rescue operation during power failures to improve personnel safety in elevator fault scenarios. Sixth, it restructures the technical documentation system, putting forward stricter structural requirements for risk assessment, declarations of conformity and component traceability documents.


Q: What is the effective date and transition arrangement of this standard in the EU market?

A: ISO 8100-1/2:2026 was officially released on March 27, 2026, and the European versions were launched simultaneously. According to EU rules, the standard can become a harmonized standard for CE certification only after being published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), which is expected to be around the third quarter of 2026, about six months after the official publication of the standard. In terms of the transition period, CEN has set a 36-month coexistence period. After the transition period, EN 81-20/50:2020 will be officially withdrawn, and CE certification for new elevators must be based on the EN ISO 8100 series standards. For valid type test certificates issued under the original EN 81 standards, enterprises can complete standard conversion through the certificate renewal channel of notified bodies during the transition period to avoid interruption of market access.


Q: How should elevator foreign trade enterprises respond to this standard change?

A: First of all, it is necessary to comprehensively sort out the design parameters of existing products against the new standard clauses, focus on verifying the compliance gaps of core modules such as door systems, braking systems, safety components and electrical systems, and prioritize technical rectification of main export models. Secondly, connect with EU notified bodies in advance for the certificate renewal process and plan certification schedules to avoid certification queuing and delivery delays after the standard officially takes effect. Third, optimize the technical document system, upgrade risk assessment reports, component test reports and traceability documents, and supplement technical descriptions related to cybersecurity. Fourth, compliance with the new standards can be taken as a differentiated competitive advantage, highlighting the attribute of products conforming to the latest international unified standards in market promotion to enhance recognition in high-end markets.