ISO/TS 23225:2026 Adds 5G NR EMC Requirements for AGVs/AMRs

On 24 April 2026, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published ISO/TS 23225:2026, introducing mandatory electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) immunity testing across the full 900 MHz–3.8 GHz band for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). The specification explicitly requires ≥10 V/m field strength in the 5G NR n78 band (3.3–3.8 GHz), a key development for manufacturers and exporters targeting EU and other ISO-aligned markets.

Event Overview

ISO released ISO/TS 23225:2026 on 24 April 2026. The technical specification defines EMC immunity test requirements for AGVs and AMRs, mandating evaluation across the 900 MHz to 3.8 GHz frequency range. It specifically introduces a minimum field strength requirement of 10 V/m within the 5G NR n78 band (3.3–3.8 GHz). This document has been adopted by CENELEC as the basis for revising EN IEC 61000-4-3, meaning compliance is now a prerequisite for CE marking of affected AGV/AMR products placed on the EU market.

Impact on Specific Industry Segments

Export-Oriented Manufacturing Enterprises

These enterprises produce AGVs or AMRs for international markets — particularly the EU. They are directly affected because ISO/TS 23225:2026 is now embedded in the CE marking pathway via EN IEC 61000-4-3 revision. Non-compliance will result in inability to affix the CE mark, blocking market access.

The impact manifests primarily in product validation timelines, test cost increases (due to extended frequency coverage and higher field strength demands), and potential redesign of RF-shielded enclosures or power supply filtering.

EMC Testing Laboratories & Certification Bodies

Laboratories accredited for IEC/EN 61000-4-3 testing must now extend their validated test capabilities to cover the full 900 MHz–3.8 GHz range, with traceable field generation ≥10 V/m in the n78 band. Calibration, antenna selection, and chamber validation procedures require updates.

Impact includes revised accreditation scope applications, investment in higher-frequency antennas and amplifiers, and retraining of test engineers on 5G NR-specific modulation-aware immunity assessment (if referenced in future corrigenda).

Supply Chain Component Suppliers

Suppliers of onboard radios, motor drives, battery management systems (BMS), and industrial controllers used in AGVs/AMRs may face upstream qualification requests. If their components contribute to system-level susceptibility in the 3.3–3.8 GHz band, integrators may demand pre-screening data or updated EMC reports aligned with the new band.

Impact centers on increased technical documentation requirements, possible need for component-level radiated immunity retesting, and tighter collaboration with OEMs during design review phases.

What Relevant Enterprises or Practitioners Should Focus On — and How to Respond Now

Monitor official adoption status in target markets beyond the EU

While CENELEC has adopted ISO/TS 23225:2026 as the basis for revising EN IEC 61000-4-3, formal publication of the updated harmonized standard under the EU EMC Directive remains pending. Enterprises should track the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) for listing, as only listed standards confer presumption of conformity. Other regions (e.g., UK, South Korea, ASEAN) have not yet announced alignment — this remains a point for ongoing observation.

Prioritize testing capacity for the 3.3–3.8 GHz band with 10 V/m field strength

Current test labs may lack validated setups above 3 GHz, especially at ≥10 V/m. Manufacturers should confirm lab capability *before* scheduling formal tests — including verification of antenna gain, amplifier linearity, and field uniformity area (FUA) compliance per IEC 61000-4-3:2020 Annex B. Early pre-scan testing in this band is advisable to identify dominant coupling paths.

Distinguish between specification issuance and regulatory enforcement timing

ISO/TS 23225:2026 is a technical specification, not a regulation. Its legal effect arises only upon incorporation into national or regional legislation — such as through the EN IEC 61000-4-3 revision process. There is currently no mandated transition deadline; however, once the revised EN standard is published in the OJEU, new products placed on the EU market must comply. Existing certified models may be subject to grace periods, but this is not guaranteed.

Review PCB layout, cable routing, and enclosure shielding early in next-gen designs

Immunity in the n78 band is highly sensitive to aperture coupling (e.g., ventilation slots, display cutouts) and common-mode currents on cables. Analysis shows that legacy AGV mechanical designs often lack sufficient high-frequency shielding margin. Engineering teams should conduct preliminary simulation or bench-level probing of critical subassemblies — especially near displays, Ethernet ports, and wireless modules — before finalizing layouts.

Editor Perspective / Industry Observation

From an industry perspective, ISO/TS 23225:2026 is best understood not as an immediate compliance deadline, but as a formal signal of evolving RF environment expectations for industrial automation equipment. Its adoption by CENELEC indicates growing recognition that 5G infrastructure deployment — especially private 5G networks in smart factories — creates real-world interference risks previously outside traditional EMC scope.

Observation suggests this reflects a broader trend: EMC standards are shifting from generic immunity thresholds toward application-specific, spectrum-aware requirements. It is more accurately interpreted as a forward-looking benchmark than a finalized regulatory outcome — its practical impact depends entirely on how quickly and stringently it is transposed into enforceable requirements across jurisdictions.

Industry stakeholders should therefore treat this as a trigger for internal capability assessment and roadmap alignment — not panic-driven redesign — while maintaining close attention to official implementation timelines.

This development underscores that EMC is no longer solely about legacy radio services or industrial equipment emissions; it is increasingly tied to coexistence with next-generation wireless infrastructure. Sustained monitoring is warranted, particularly regarding whether future revisions introduce modulation-specific test methods (e.g., 5G NR FR1 waveforms) beyond continuous-wave (CW) field exposure.

Conclusion

ISO/TS 23225:2026 marks a targeted evolution in EMC requirements for AGVs and AMRs, driven by the operational reality of 5G NR deployment in industrial settings. Its significance lies less in immediate enforcement and more in its role as a codified expectation for RF resilience in the 3.3–3.8 GHz band. For affected stakeholders, the current priority is capability readiness — not reactive compliance — and disciplined tracking of formal regulatory uptake. It is更适合理解为 a strategic inflection point in industrial EMC strategy, rather than a short-term certification hurdle.

Information Source

Main source: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO/TS 23225:2026, published 24 April 2026.
Additional reference: CENELEC announcement confirming adoption as basis for EN IEC 61000-4-3 revision (public statement, April 2026).
Note: Formal publication date of the revised EN IEC 61000-4-3 in the Official Journal of the European Union remains pending and is subject to ongoing observation.