Regulations
EN ISO 8100-1:2026 and EN ISO 8100-2:2026: what changes for lifts
What changes with EN ISO 8100-1:2026 and EN ISO 8100-2:2026 for lifts, components, tests, cybersecurity and technical file.
The EN ISO 8100-1:2026 and EN ISO 8100-2:2026 standards mark a significant development in the lift sector in recent years. The change is more than a new designation: they update the technical framework applicable to the construction, installation, verification and testing of lifts for the transport of passengers and goods accompanied by persons.
For manufacturers, installers, designers and component suppliers, the point is not only to know that there is a new edition. The point is to understand what aspects should be reassessed: safety components, SIL-rated circuits, software, cybersecurity, suspension means other than traditional ropes, tests, instructions, technical file and change management. Reference
Because these rules are important
ISO 8100 series brings the theme lifts into a more international and coordinated structure. EN ISO 8100-1:2026 contains safety rules for construction and installation. EN ISO 8100-2:2026 contains the design, calculation, verification and testing rules of components.
The value of these standards is obvious: the first part of the standard defines what must be safe in the finished elevator; the second explains how to verify and demonstrate the safety of the components and technical solutions called from the first part.
History: from EN 81-1/2 to EN 81-20/50 to ISO 8100 series
Historically, the European industry has worked for many years with EN 81-1, for electric elevators, and EN 81-2, for hydraulic lifts. The next step led to EN 81-20 and EN 81-50: the first dedicated to building and installation rules, the second to testing, calculations and component verifications.
The 2026 editions move the reference framework towards EN ISO 8100-1 and EN ISO 8100-2. The overall approach remains familiar, but the technical framework is more mature, with greater attention to electrical and electronic systems, functional safety, cybersecurity, innovative suspension means, documentation and life-cycle management.
EN ISO 8100-1:2026: construction and installation safety
EN ISO 8100-1:2026 concerns elevators permanently installed in buildings or buildings intended for transport of persons or persons and goods. Covers traction lifts, with positive and hydraulic control, with a nominal speed of more than 0,15 m/s, closed cabin and inclined guides no later than 15 degrees than vertical.
The standard is not limited to the mechanical part. It also includes the electric equipment of the elevator, lighting, sockets in the compartment, electrical safety devices, maintenance conditions and information for use. This requires a consistent document approach between project, schematics, calculations, tests and instructions.
EN ISO 8100-2:2026: calculations, testing and verification of components
EN ISO 8100-2:2026 will be the reference standard to demonstrate that an integrated component in the elevator or a function meets the technical requirements of part 1. Covers, among others, door locking devices, parachute, speed limiters, shock absorbers, safety circuits, SIL-rated circuits, protection against excessive speed uphill, uncontrolled cab movement, lock valves, guides, traction, ropes, suspension vehicles and bumper tests, defining test methods, test conditions, acceptance criteria, calculations and coer instructions.
The main technical innovations to be evaluated
Compared to the previous setting, 2026 editions require attention on multiple points. Among the most important aspects are the introduction or revision of the requirements for vertical doors, means of suspension other than steel ropes, automatic rescue operation, work platforms in the compartment, access to the pit, brakes, monitoring, classification of fire resistance of the cables, information for use and tripping of the parachute by electric means.
For components, EN ISO 8100-2 updates mechanical and thermal tests of safety circuits and SIL-rated circuits, corrects traction calculation formulas, introduces verification methods for suspension and compensation other than steel ropes and adds waste criteria for suspension and pulley.
Cybersecurity, software and SIL-rated circuits
One of the most significant changes is the full inclusion of digital issues. EN ISO 8100-1:2026 contains cybersecurity-related requirements and references specific provisions for the electrical and cyber aspects of lifts. This reflects the wider evolution of product safety: a connected, updateable or software-configurable system can alter operating conditions and safety functions.
The terminology also changes: the SIL-rated circuits take the place of the previous PESSRAL logic. This involves documentation, specifications, analysis, validation, testing, software configuration, version management and consistency with functional safety.
Impact on technical file, instructions and verification
The new rules impose a stricter control of documentation. A technical file or project dossier must demonstrate that the applicable requirements have been identified, that the components have been selected and verified correctly and that the information for installation, use, maintenance, emergency and periodic checks are consistent.
Instructions must contain basic data, features, electrical schematics, software configurations, parameters, emergency procedures, environmental limits, replacement or discard criteria and indications for safety functions verification.
Report with Ascensor Directive, Machinery Regulation and harmonised standards
The main legislative reference for lifts remains 2014/33/EU Directive, when the product falls within its scope. EN ISO 8100 standards are also relevant for the relationship with essential requirements and, in some points, with 2023/1230 (EU) Regulation, especially when components, sets or aspects can be traced back to machine safety.
Caution: the presumption of conformity is not automatic in abstract. It must be verified with respect to the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, the scope of the standard, the limitations indicated in the ZA Annexes and the actual product.
Operational checklist for companies and technical offices
- Check whether the product or component is affected by EN ISO 8100-1:2026, EN ISO 8100-2:2026 or by related EN 81/ISO 8100. series standards
- Compare the requirements applied in projects based on EN 81-20 and EN 81-50 with the new 2026 requirements.
- Update risk analysis, calculations, tests, validations and acceptance criteria. Reference
- Reevaluate SIL-rated circuits, software, parameters, security features and cybersecurity.
- Check instructions, instructions for use, logbooks, emergency procedures and instructions for maintenance and periodic checks.
- Document the regulatory transition and technical decisions in the project file or dossier.
Frequently Errors
consider the new edition as a simple formal number replacement
update the statement without verifying proof, calculations and instructions
do not reevaluate software, parameters and circuits SIL-rated
neglecting non-traditional means of suspension or discard criteria
do not distinguish between full elevator, safety component, machine part and product off-field.
How Waves Engineering supports companies
Waves Engineering can support manufacturers, installers and component suppliers with a gap analysis against EN ISO 8100-1:2026 and EN ISO 8100-2:2026. The work starts from the existing documentation and produces a clear matrix of requirements, available evidence, missing evidence and documents to be updated.
Support may include risk analysis, safety features verification, electrical schematic review, technical documentation control, testing setting, instructions for use update, maintenance instructions and CE/UKCA compliance support when applicable.
FAQ
EN ISO 8100-1:2026 replaces EN 81-20?
Yes, in the European route the new EN ISO 8100-1:2026 is destined to replace EN 81-20:2020. However, it is necessary to verify the national withdrawal dates and the publication in the applicable official lists.
EN ISO 8100-2:2026 replaces EN 81-50?
Yes, EN ISO 8100-2:2026 takes the technical role of the standard dedicated to design standards, calculations, verifications and testing of components previously covered by EN 81-50.
Do the new standards introduce cybersecurity requirements?
Yes. Part 1 includes cybersecurity requirements and recalls the need to handle digital risks when they can affect elevator safety.
Do you need to update the technical file?
If a project, component or documentation is based on past references or on solutions affected by 2026 changes, a gap analysis should be carried out and the relevant technical evidence updated.
