Recently the IEST Executive Board approved the first-ever Recommended Practice (RP) for cleanroom robotics and automation, IEST-RP-CC053: Considerations for Robotics and Automation in Cleanrooms and Other Controlled Environments. 

The cleanroom industry currently faces many challenges, including manpower shortages, consistency requirements, production efficiency demands, safety needs, and a rising cost of operations. Cleanroom automation utilizing robotics offers a unique solution to these problems. The demand for cleanroom robots has and is continuing to increase each year. By 2030, the global cleanroom robot market is expected to reach $12.28 billion. This Recommended Practice has been prepared to support the needs of cleanroom professionals as the demand for cleanroom automation surges.

To meet the challenges and demands of the future, this recommended practice provides contamination control and design considerations for robotics and automation used in areas with stringent requirements for both particle levels and cleanliness. This information will assist designers and users in facility design and operations to better understand the impact of adding this level of automation to their facilities. 

This RP discusses critical factors for the design or redesign of existing cleanrooms and controlled environments planning to utilize robotic operations. As an example, older cleanrooms may be limited in corridor and door sizes and unable to support robotics. Elevators and manual doors must be capable of supporting robotic movements. 

Highlights of this RP include considerations for:

• Robotic design and qualifications for cleanrooms and controlled environments
• System Installation 
• System Validation, Commissioning and Testing
• Certification/ Calibration
• Operations

This RP is limited to the design and qualification of cleanroom and controlled environment robots. This document is not intended to provide safety specifications for robotic equipment. Computerization and validation of software is not a consideration for this RP.

IEST Recommended Practices are developed by Working Groups, volunteer groups made up of experts in the industry. Each Working Group determines through cooperative effort what issues to address and what procedures to include in each consensus document. 

Regarding the process the Working Group that wrote this RP took, Working Group Chair Anne Marie Dixon-Heathman explained, “This RP was unique in its development. There were two committees that met in parallel, but added commentary and comments to one document. Committee #1 consists of users, operational personnel, and some support vendors. Committee #2 consists of robotic manufacturers. Because of the many challenges of committee work, these two groups never met at the same time. Committee #1 met virtually and at IEST meetings. Committee #2 met only in person and their names are excluded from the document due to proprietary requirements.” 

We are grateful for the experts who participate in IEST Working Groups. If you want to be part of a Working Group and help establish the industry guidelines that affect your business, contact technicaldept@iest.org for more information about a Working Group meeting, or to request meeting details and instructions to join as an observer. WG activities also provide opportunities to network with other experts, contribute to your profession, build your resumé, and promote your company.