EN 62368-1:2014 Certification with Eurofins York

Eurofins York is now able to offer UKAS-accredited testing of equipment to EN 62368-1:2014 at its Grangemouth laboratory.

This extension to scope for our UKAS Accreditation (Number 1574) adds the safety standard for Information Technology Equipment and Audio/Video Equipment to the existing and extensive range of testing and certification services offered across the three Eurofins York laboratories in Grangemouth, Castleford and Bristol.

For full details of our Schedule of Accreditation, please click here to visit the UKAS website.

What is EN 62368-1?

EN 62368-1 is the safety standard for Information Technology Equipment and Audio/Video Equipment and is a hazard-based, performance-orientated standard.

It is applicable to the safety of electrical and electronic equipment (audio, video, information and communication technology, and business and office machines) with a rated voltage not exceeding 600 V.

Part 1 of EN 62368 is a product safety standard that classifies energy sources, prescribes safeguards against those energy sources, and provides guidance on the application of, and requirements for, those safeguards. The prescribed safeguards are intended to reduce the likelihood of pain, injury and, in the case of fire, property damage.

The standard describes safeguards for three kinds of persons: the ordinary person, the instructed person and the skilled person with clear definitions of each kind of person (EN 62368-1:2014 pp39).

Unlike EN 60065 and EN 60950-1, EN 62368-1 is technology independent and focusses on the risks that may occur and gives manufacturers greater leeway in deciding how to design protection into their equipment.

Within the standard, there is a division of a product’s safety risk into three levels and based on these, the standard specifies what level of protection is required and what constitutes, for example, as an acceptable voltage level.

What are the important dates for designers and manufacturers?

The Date of Withdrawal, which is the latest official date by which national standards such as EN 60065 and EN 60950-1 that conflict with EN 62368-1:2014 have to be withdrawn, has been changed by CENELEC from the 20th June 2019 to the 20th December 2020.

What this means is that as of the 20th December 2020, the superseded standards (EN 60065 and EN 60950-1) will cease to give presumption of conformity with the EU LVD (2014/35/EU) and are replaced wholly be EN 62368-1:2014.

With just over 12 months until this date, now’s the time to reassess product design and production cycles and to ensure that any equipment that you will be placing into the market will continue to comply with the relevant Directives and standards.

Eurofins York can guide you through the process of transition to EN 62368-1 as well as offering you a wide range of complementary test, certification and compliance management services. To discuss any testing requirements for your current or future products, contact us and we will be pleased to help.

For full details of our Schedule of Accreditation, please click here to visit the UKAS website.