In June, the UK’s health and safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), announced that it will develop the first joint industry guidance on collaborative robotics (cobots) in the workplace, in partnership with government and industry stakeholders.
The initiative, announced at London Tech Week 2026, has been launched in collaboration with the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) and industry partners Automate UK and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).
The project represents a significant step in shaping how emerging robotics technologies are deployed safely within UK workplaces.
What is being proposed?
The HSE-led project (which is the first of its kind carried out by the regulator) aims to produce practical, joint guidance combining regulatory expertise with industry best practice on the safe use of collaborative robots.
The HSE has identified the following key features of this proposal:
- Co-design with industry to ensure the guidance reflects real-world operational challenges
- Focus on how cobots can safely operate alongside human workers, rather than in segregated environments
- Integration of industry good practice with HSE regulatory requirements
The first phase, expected to launch this summer (2026), will prioritise providing regulatory clarity for cobots, with the aim of giving businesses confidence in how to deploy such systems safely.
Why now?
The announcement is driven by a recognised barrier to adoption of robotics in the UK. Although health and safety law does not prohibit the use of collaborative robotics, the HSE has identified a perception amongst users of this technology of non-compliance which is discouraging uptake.
The initiative therefore aims to:
- Clarify regulatory requirements
- Reduce uncertainty around compliance
- Support wider adoption of robotics to enhance productivity and growth
This approach aligns with the broader policy direction of the Regulatory Innovation Office, which was established by the Government to remove regulatory barriers and support innovation in emerging technologies, including robotics and AI.
Why this matters?
This announcement indicates a move towards both providing regulatory clarity to use of collaborative robots and is a follow-up on Government commitments to remove barriers to adoption and innovation.
Key implications are likely to be:
- Increased regulatory clarity, particularly in complex human-machine environments.
- Addressing industry concerns around compliance, enabling organisations to accelerate investment in automation.
- A move towards practical compliance through collaboration with industry partners.
- A focus on integrated risk management, as cobots operate in shared spaces with human workers.
- Setting a potential benchmark for future enforcement and guidance. Although not legislation, joint HSE/industry guidance is likely to become an important reference point when assessing compliance and safety standards.
How can we help?
We're monitoring the development of this guidance closely, and will be advising clients on the potential implications of the guidance and wider Government approach to the development of advanced manufacturing and robotics.
We can help clients more broadly with regulatory compliance within this sector, leveraging our significant industry experience to provide practical guidance on managing risk.
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