Moving from old standards for AV,
communication, and IT equipment to the new hazard-based standard 62368-1 is no
small feat. It requires a different mindset and approach, as well as plenty of
due diligence to follow up on this approach.
Under the old standards, it was all about
meeting prescriptive design and function requirements. If these standards were
demonstrably met, the product was compliant. However, the introduction of new
technologies and groundbreaking designs were limited by the prescriptive nature
of the standards (and the amount of time it takes for new, more innovative
standards to be introduced, discussed, approved, and implemented).
Under the new 62368-1 hazard-based standard,
it is all about putting effective safeguards in place against potential
hazards. This allows product designers and manufacturers more flexibility in
rolling out new, innovative products—as long as the product has effective
protections against hazards.
With such a significant shift, it’s crucial to
begin the transition process as early as possible to avoid hard-to-meet
deadlines near the implementation date of December 20, 2020.
The Benefits of Transitioning
Early to 62368-1
There are a number of reasons companies
benefit from starting the transition as soon as possible:
Time for Everyone to Become
Familiar with New Standards
While the hazard-based standard has been
discussed for some time, 62368-1 is still an entirely new standard with
different processes and evaluations involved. Expect all parties
involved—product managers, certification bodies, testing laboratories, legal
professionals, and more—to need some additional time to become familiar with
the standard and implement it correctly.
This is particularly important to keep in mind
when you begin submitting certification paperwork and scheduling product
testing. Testing facilities and certification bodies will experience a massive
influx of work as the deadline for compliance with 62368-1 approaches. Lead
times may be longer than usual, and it’s possible that agencies bring in
additional staff to help with the workload (who may need additional time to get
up to speed).
A little preparation in this regard will go a
long way. Create a compliance timeline that allows plenty of flexibility in the
testing and approval phase. Make sure everyone in your organization is aware
that failing to meet internal deadlines could put product compliance at risk,
as timing for testing and approval may be more unpredictable this time.
Reduced Manufacturing Costs
Since the hazard-based standard is a
significant shift from the old standards, you can expect to incur some
manufacturing costs as a result. You may want to give your product design team
time to learn the new standard and explore new designs within this framework.
You may also want to put your marketing team to work to show the world what
innovations you are working toward or what your new and improved product will
look like.
All of this takes time and money. But if it’s
done at the last minute, it costs much
more. In addition to operational costs like overtime and additional
staffing, rushed changes to important products run the risk of missing
something, damaging the product’s reputation, or affecting the overall product
road-map in negative ways.
By preparing early, you can bring all the
necessary stakeholders to the table and come up with a detailed plan for
learning the new standard, applying it to your work, and achieving compliance
by the 2020 deadline.
Avoid Penalties for Late
Compliance (or Non-Compliance)
Failure to comply with the new hazard-based
62368-1 in time can cause major disruptions. If the product is scheduled to
enter the EU after December 20, 2020, but you have not received certification,
you could face penalties for attempting to enter the market unlawfully. This
could include removal of the product from the market, a ban on marketing the
product in the EU, and more (depending on the severity of the compliance
lapse). Halting shipments of the product will affect the global supply chain,
as well as sales and the company’s bottom line.
Transitioning to the new hazard-based standard
early prevents costly, damaging consequences.
Learn More About Preparing for
the 62368-1 Hazard Based Standard
G&M Compliance offers full-service
compliance solutions for communication, A/V, and IT products in the EU. Our
compliance professionals will help you decide if 62368-1 applies to your
product(s), determine the right approach for meeting 62368-1 requirements, and
help you through the transition process.
Contact G&M Compliance today to learn more
about complying with the EU 62368-1 Hazard Based Standard.