Meeting the requirements of the new global safety standard

High tech electronic PCB (Printed circuit board) with processor, microchips and glowing digital electronic signals. 3d illustration

The new IEC 62368-1 global safety standard for consumer electronic (audio/video) apparatus, information and communication technology equipment takes a new approach to safety. It enforces a hazard-based safety design approach at the product development stage, and requires that manufacturers identify hazards, design the necessary safeguards, and then evaluate the effectiveness of those safeguards before products are even tested.

The standard takes effect on June 19, 2019, so manufacturers will need to get up-to-speed quickly. CSA Group can help. The global provider of testing, inspection and certification services has created a simple step-by-step guide to help compliance managers and engineers meet the requirements of the IEC 62368-1 standard.

Step 1: Review the standard to understand the gap between the requirements and their current products, processes, procedures, vendors and other aspects of their product design and compliance process.

Step 2: Find a testing partner with in-depth knowledge of the standard and global capabilities.

Step 3: Enable their team through training.

Step 4: Assess each product’s design, components, testing requirements, markings and instructions to understand how the new standard will impact their entire portfolio.

Step 5: Review and update procedures for sourcing, quality assurance, production line inspection and design guidelines.

Step 6: Get ready to evaluate by determining if internal labs require new testing equipment and procedures, or if outsourcing testing to a fully capable and qualified organization is the best option.

It’s important to know that IEC 62368-1 identifies and classifies five types of energy sources — electrical, thermal, mechanical, radiated and hazardous substance — that cause injury or pain when transferred to a body part with sufficient magnitude. The standard also helps manufacturers determine the types of safeguards required to prevent transfer and reduce the likelihood of pain and injury. Equipped with this information, compliance engineers will need to:

• Study the standard to understand how the new requirements impact their product;
• Identify and classify the potentially harmful energy sources to which product users will be exposed;
• Identify the mechanism that transfers energy to the body part or fuel;
• Design the appropriate safeguard into their product design; and
• Evaluate the safeguard.

Contact CSA Group to learn more about these user guides and hazard-based safety design.

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