New ICT standard 62368-1

Index

IEC 62368-1 introduces itself

How does the EN/IEC 62368-1 change over time?

Which products are included in IEC 62368-1 scope?

Global market access

What rules apply in Europe's trade zones?

Which edition do I use for my CE declaration?

Which output do I use for my UKCA declaration?

What exactly does the CB process do?

Technical modifications of IEC 62368-1:2023 (4th edition)

The VDE as a partner in your product life cycle

IEC 62368-1 introduces itself

The IEC 62368-1 standard is used to implement the Low Voltage Directive and is applied to a wide range of products in the IT as well as the audio and video industry.

How does the EN/IEC 62368-1 change over time?

The standards landscape is constantly in motion. Constant product developments bring with them ever new requirements for product safety. The current situation is described below.

Temporal development and validity of the various editions of the ITAV standard

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Which products are included in IEC 62368-1 scope?

Below you will find a selection of products that are specifically covered by the standard. Areas in the office and commercial sector, industry, entertainment, household and components are included.

Illustration of the product scope of IEC 62368-1

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Generic product type	Specific example of generic product type
Banking equipment	Monetary processing machines including automated teller (cash dispensing) machines (ATM)
Consumer electronic equipment (including professional audio, video and musical instrument equipment)	Recieving equipment and amplifiers for sound and/or vision, supply equipment intended to supply other equipment covered by the scope of this document, electronic musical instruments, and electronic accessories such as rhythm generators, tone generators, music tuners and the like for use with electronic or non-electronic musical instruments, audio and/or video educational equipment, video projectors, video cameras and video monitors, network surveillance cameras, video games, juke boxes, record and optical disc players, tape and optical disk recorders, antenna signal converters and amplifiers, antenna positioners, Citizen's Band equipment, equipment for imagery, electronic light effect equipment, intercommunication equipment using low voltage mains as the transmission medium, cable head-end recievers, multimedia equipment, electronic flash equipment
Data and text processing machines and associated equipment	Data preparation equipment, data processing equipment, data storage equipment, personal computers, tablets, smartphones, wearable devices, plotters, printers (including 3D printers), scanners, text processing equipment, visual display units
Date network equipment	Bridges, data circuit terminating equipment, data terminal equipment, routers
Electrical and electronic retail equipment	Cash registers, point of sale terminals including associated electronic scales
Electrical and electronic office machines	Calculaters, copying machines, dictation equipment, document shredding machines, duplicators, erasers, micrographic office equipment, motoroperated files, paper trimmers (punchers, cutting machines, separators), paper jogging machines, pencil sharpeners, staplers, typewriters
Other information technology equipment	Photoprinting equipment, public information terminals, electronic kiosks, multimedia equipment
Postage equipment	Mail processing machines, postage machines
Telecommunication network infrastructure equipment	Billing equipment, multiplexers, network powering equipment, network terminating equipment, radio base stations, repeaters, transmission equipment, telecommunication switching equipment
Telecommunication terminal equipment	Facsimile equipment, key telephone systems, modems, PABXs, pagers, telephone answering machines, telephone sets (wired and wireless)

Global market access

The IEC 62368-1 standard is widely recognized in various world markets due to its good harmonization and wide scope. How to find the lowest hurdles for diverse markets, you will experience with us. The VDE has an established network and opens doors for you.

What rules apply in Europe's trade zones?

The different trade zones also have different access regulations. Generally, as a manufacturer, you have to make a declaration that assesses the technical risks of your product. The CE marking obligation also applies in the EFTA states. Switzerland is an exception here. Here there is a separate free trade agreement with the EU.

Regulations for the trade zones of Europe

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Mitgliedsländer im Bund der CENELEC

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Which edition do I use for my CE declaration?

The CE declaration of a manufacturer is the entrance ticket to the European market. EN IEC 62368-1:2014 (2nd edition) is currently the appropriate standard. This is listed in the "European Official Journal" of the EU and thus has the effect of presumption for compliance with the Low Voltage Directive. The VDE provides support here with technical tests to ensure product safety.

In addition, a large number of European countries are members of CENELEC. Thus, a common EN standard applies, the EN IEC 62368-1:2020 +A11:2020.

Note: By 06.07.2024 the DOW (date of withdraw) of EN IEC 62368-1:2014 is set, after that the effect of presumption is no longer valid. Currently, due to CENELEC membership, a delta analysis to EN IEC 62368-1:2020+A11 2020 (3rd edition) is recommended. This recommendation will be adapted when a 4th edition of EN IEC 62368-1 is available. It is expected that the 4th edition will be listed in the "European Official Journal" of the EU.

Which output do I use for my UKCA declaration?

Even if there is a differentiation here due to the different formal framework, the UKCA declaration is strongly based on the CE declaration. With regard to the standard for technical assessment, there is no difference. As of August 1, 2023, the British government has additionally declared that the CE marking will continue to be recognized in the British market for an unlimited period of time.

What exactly does the CB process do?

With a CB certificate for your product, you can ensure market entry in the majority of markets worldwide. The standard used for this purpose is IEC 62368-1. However, the locally recognized editions may differ. Country-specific requirements such as the conversion of a CB certificate into a locally recognized certification mark or regular production site monitoring must be taken into account. Here, VDE has both the network and the necessary experience to best support your project.

Länder mit Akzeptanz für CB´s im Bereich IEC 62368-1

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Technical modifications of IEC 62368-1:2023 (4th edition)

Since 29.05.2023 the 4th edition of IEC 62368-1 is published. In the course of this, there are some technical new requirements. The main sections and their influences compared to the 3rd edition of IEC 62368-1 are listed below. So, there are many more minor adjustments, from editorial to technical. To give you a quick access to this knowledge, VDE offers you everything from consulting contingents to training.

Clause 4.1.1 - Application of requirements and acceptance of materials, components and subassemblies

Clause 4.1.8 - Liquids, refrigerants and liquid‐filled components LFCs

Clause 5.4.2.3.2.4 - Determining external circuit transient voltages (Table 13)

Clause 5.5.2.2 Capacitor discharge after disconnection

Clause 9.3.1 - Touch temperature limits - Requirements, including Table 37, Touch temperature limits for accessible parts

More clauses under change (list not exhaustive)...

4.1.3 - Equipment design and construction
4.4.3.1 - Safeguard robustness – General
5.4.2.3.2.3 - Determining DC mains transient voltages
5.4.11.1 - Separation between external circuits and earth – General
5.6.2.2 - Colour of insulation
6.4.5.1 - Control of fire spread in PS2 circuits – General
6.4.8.3.3 - Top openings and top opening properties
6.4.8.3.4 - Bottom openings and bottom opening properties
B.1.6 - Specific output conditions
B.2.4 - Normal operating voltages
B.2.5 - Input test
B.3.5 - Maximum load at output terminals
F.2.2. - Graphical symbols
G.3.5.1 - Safeguard components not mentioned in G.3.1 to G.3.4 – Requirements
G.7.3.1 - Cord anchorages and strain relief – General
G.16.2 - IC that includes a capacitor discharge function (ICX) – Tests
M.4.1 - Additional safeguards for equipment containing a secondary lithium battery – General
P.3.3 - Spillage safeguards
T.1 - Mechanical strength tests

The VDE as a partner in your product life cycle

No matter at what time, no matter in what sphere. We support you in your projects and offer a fully comprehensive service tailored to your needs. You need additional environmental simulations IPXX or EMC tests? Your system carries the smart home idea and you are looking for advice in the field of cyber security? We are sure to have a good answer to your needs. The direct personal contact in German, English and other languages distinguishes us.