A method for the synchronous control of a plurality of handling devices, such as industrial robots, having a control command to be implemented by controls of the handling devices participating in a synchronization is initiated on a random control and is subsequently further processed therein as a function of the nature of the command. An apparatus suitable for performing the method has a storage device for storing a control program for the particular handling device, input device for initiating a control command to be distributed for synchronization purposes, transmitting device for transmitting an initiated command to other controls participating in a synchronization, receiving device for receiving a command transmitted by another participating control, processing device for processing the control program in accordance with the control command and optionally for checking the initiated or received command and decision device for blocking or unblocking the transmission and/or for ordering a solely local implementation of an initiated control command.