IEC 62368-1: Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment Testing

IEC 62368-1 covers audio/video, information and communication technology equipment rated up to 600 V, including computing products, displays, consumer electronics, telecommunications equipment and office appliances, whether used in homes, offices, data centers or professional environments. 

IEC 62368-1 sets safety requirements using a hazard-based approach. You identify the energy sources in a product, classify each source by the amount of energy it can transfer, and apply safeguards that protect ordinary, instructed and skilled persons from electric shock, fire, burns and mechanical injury. The standard grades each energy source into three classes, from Class 1, which does not cause pain, to Class 3, which can cause injury, and it sets rules for insulation, creepage and clearance distances, component selection, construction, and the markings and instructions a product needs to demonstrate compliance. 

The applicable edition depends on your target markets and certification requirements, as national and regional adoptions of IEC 62368-1 may not transition simultaneously. In some cases, compliance with the latest edition may be required, while in others an earlier adopted edition remains acceptable. Element can help determine the most appropriate compliance strategy for your target markets, including support for NRTL certification, SCC certification, participation in the IECEE CB Scheme, and other international approval programs. 

Enforcement timing differs by region, and there is no single global date. In North America, UL and CSA 62368-1 fourth edition becomes the required basis for certification on February 15, 2027. Products already certified to the third edition can continue during the transition if they have no major changes. In Europe, no mandatory date is set. The European fourth edition, EN IEC 62368-1:2024, is not yet cited in the EU Official Journal, so it does not give presumption of conformity for CE marking. The second edition remains cited, and the timing rests with the European Commission. Until then, use a risk-based approach with technical documentation. 

Yes. Element provides NRTL certification to UL 62368-1 for the United States and SCC-accredited certification to CSA C22.2 No. 62368-1 for Canada, along with CB Scheme reports to support approvals in other markets. 

Not necessarily. The need for additional evaluation depends on your target markets, certification requirements and any product design changes. Products previously certified to legacy standards may require evaluation to IEC 62368-1 when seeking new certifications, entering additional markets, or maintaining compliance with current market requirements. In many cases, a gap assessment can leverage existing test data and documentation, limiting additional testing to requirements affected by changes in the standard or product design.