The new standard for audio, vidoe,
communication, and IT equipment—ICE 62368-1—is a major shift from the
prescriptive standards of old.
IEC 63268-1 is a single, harmonized standard
for IT equipment that will take full effect on December 20, 2020. Companies
that produce equipment covered by old ITE standards (like 60950-1 or 60065)
should be preparing for this transition ASAP, if not already.
The Difference Between Old
Standards and New Hazard Based 62368-1
The biggest change brought about by 62368-1 is
its emphasis on Hazard-Based Safety Engineering (HBSE) principles. A
hazard-based standard like 62368-1 is more performance-based, whereas the old
standards are more prescriptive in how products are developed and energy
sources are managed.
Prescriptive requirements, like the ones in
60950-1 and 60065, restrict innovation because standards have to be continually
updated for new technologies and approaches—and often that slows or halts
development altogether. Product designers are forced to work within existing
frameworks for IT equipment, rather than coming up with something more out of
the box that better meets consumer needs.
Hazard-based standards allow for more
flexibility for product designers, which is particularly important in a
fast-moving, ever-changing space like Information Technology equipment.
Designers can work with alternative designs, constructions, and technologies to
create truly unique products without sacrificing safety.
Transitioning from 60950-1 or
60065 to Hazard Based 62368-1
As of December 20, 2020, products tested under
the old standards will no longer be presumed to be compliant with the new
standard. So what is the best way to prepare for this transition?
It is crucial to start the transition process
as early as possible. The hazard-based standard is new to everyone, including
certification laboratories and regulatory agencies, who will experience a
massive influx of work as manufacturers make final decisions about their IT
equipment. The high volume of requests, coupled with interpreting these new
standards, may result in longer wait times for test reports, approval
notifications, requests for additional information, etc.
It is also important for companies to
thoroughly evaluate their certification needs going forward.
●
What countries are you exporting
to?
●
Have those countries published a
similar hazard-based standard based on the EU’s 62368-1?
●
If not, have those countries
indicated they are interested in a hazard-based standard?
●
Which markets require updated
certifications now, and which ones might in the future?
●
What is the most cost-effective
way to comply with these standards, both today and in 5 years?
The answers to these questions should lead you
to the best option for updating certifications for 62368-1.
Depending on your situation, it may be best to
update the CB scheme certification for your product(s). This CB scheme can
serve as a passport for other international certifications, and it can be the
most cost-effective option when you are updating certifications for multiple
countries at once.
However, updating the CB scheme is a costly
option if you only need updated certifications for a few countries (or select
countries that are not moving toward a hazard-based approach). In this case, it
may be more beneficial to produce new Low Voltage Directive (LVD) reports to
demonstrate compliance with EU standards. This allows the manufacturer to
handle future changes on a case-by-case basis (rather than making a sweeping
change all at once) and be more involved throughout the certification process,
Get Expert Advice on
Transitioning to 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
guide you through the transition process.
Contact G&M Compliance today to learn more
about complying with the EU 62368-1 Hazard Based Standard.