Boxborough, Mass., October 9, 2014 – Manufacturers of audio/video (A/V), information technology (IT) and communication technology products need to know that CENELEC has accepted a new standard IEC 62368-1 as a mandatory requirement for CE marking of low-voltage equipment sold in the European Union (EU). IEC 62368-1 will replace two standards currently in use – EN 60065 for A/V and EN 60950-1 for IT and communication technology equipment – and will apply to new and existing products. Additionally, the U.S. and Canada adapted a national version of the IEC 62368-1 standard titled CSA/UL 62368-1.
TÜV Rheinland, a leading global certification organization, strongly encourages manufacturers of consumer electronics, PCs and laptops, TVs and monitors, office appliances such as copying machines, and wired and wireless telecommunication products to determine how they will transition to the new standard before it becomes mandatory in June 2019. Advance planning is critical for compliance with the new standard due to the length of the new product development cycle and the lifespan of existing products.
“Many decisions go into determining the easiest and most cost-effective way to comply with a new standard,” said Uwe Meyer, Technical Manager, Business Field Electrical, Product Safety Testing, at TÜV Rheinland. “For example, the current date of switching to Amendment 2 of EN 60950-1 is July 2, 2016 in Europe. Manufacturers need to decide before 2016 whether to transition to Amendment 2 of EN 60950-1 or certify directly to EN 62368-1.”
IEC 62368-1 addresses the technological advances that allow one product to perform both the A/V and computing functions. The standard now covers a wide range of products and takes a “hazard-based” approach to product safety assessment, seeking to identify and classify the product’s hazards under normal and abnormal conditions and how the manufacturer has mitigated the hazards. Once the hazards are identified IEC 62368-1 specifically discusses the safeguards necessary to prevent an energy source capable of causing pain or injury to a body part and which reduces the likelihood of transfer of energy capable of causing such pain or injury.
IEC 62368-1 has many elements from EN 60950-1, including allowance for prescriptive constructions that have proven safe in 60950-1 and that may be used as an alternative to some of the performance-based requirements in 62368-1. However, IEC 62368-1 is not a merger of EN 60065 and EN 60950-1.
Manufacturers and importers of A/V, IT and communication equipment seeking assistance with IEC 62368-1 training, application and planning for supply chain considerations are welcome to email TÜV Rheinland at or call (888) 743-4652. For more information about TÜV Rheinland, visit .
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