But how do you know what the most efficient, cost-effective path is for your product? Working with a trusted partner like G&M Compliance can help.
What G&M Compliance can do
for you
G&M Compliance can create a custom
certification strategy that fits the unique needs of your product and target
markets. Whether you currently sell in the European Union or you want to sell
in Europe for the first time, G&M Compliance experts will craft an approach
that works for you.
G&M Compliance can help with the transition to IEC 62368-1 in a few key ways:
Reduce unnecessary testing and
certification costs for existing products
Existing information technology and
audio/visual products with valid certifications may already meet the
requirements of IEC 62368-1, but it’s crucial to make sure.
Not all existing products with Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) certificates for the U.S. and Canada need to be retested to comply with the new 62368-1 standard. In many cases, pursuing a whole new CB scheme certification to move from an old standard like IEC 60950-1 or IEC 60065-1 to the new 62368-1 standard is more costly than necessary.
G&M Compliance can help you decide the right approach, based on the type of product, the product’s lifespan, and the target markets you want to sell in. If your primary goal is to comply with the new EU requirements, a new Low Voltage Directive (LVD) report is more cost-effective than a new CB scheme certification, and the LVD report is often much quicker to produce with existing test data.
Make sure you have the right documentation to prove compliance with 62368-1
A hazard-based standard like 62368-1 is a
different approach to certification than the prescriptive model of the past. It
requires thinking about risks to consumers early on in the design process and
creating appropriate safeguards, rather than following a prescriptive set of
standards. Products that complied with previous EU standards are
well-positioned to comply with the new standards—however, that doesn’t mean the
process is automatic, or even simple.
Manufacturers should look carefully at their ITE and AV devices, making sure the hazards outlined in 62368-1 are mitigated with appropriate safeguards. Then, figure out if those hazards and safeguards are tested and documented to the satisfaction of the new EU standards.
But this is easier said than done, especially if your product is available in multiple markets. Not all countries will adopt IEC 62368-1 at the same time, so you may be left to manage a complicated array of product standards and documentation requirements.
G&M Compliance can evaluate your existing documentation, compare it to the markets you want to be in, and identify any conflicts or gaps. Our compliance experts take into account the requirements and timelines for each region and find the fastest path to market based on your unique circumstances.
Identify the fastest path to
market for new ITE and AV products
New products also have a few options to comply with IEC/EN 62368-1. To sell into Europe, most new products will need to comply with the 2nd edition of 62368-1. But other countries, like China, Taiwan, and Korea, still rely on older standards. These countries, or others that are not adopting the new standard right away, could choose to go straight to the 3rd edition of 62368-1.
G&M Compliance can take a close look at the requirements for your international target markets and decide if a dual certification is right for you, or a single certification that demonstrates backward compatibility to old standards.
Learn More About IEC 62368-1
Contact G&M Compliance today to discuss the best approach to IEC 62368-1 for your product.