CENELEC has published a new version of standard EN IEC 62368-1:2020 Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment – Part 1: Safety requirements. This standard supersedes EN 60950-22:2017, EN 60950-23:2006, EN 60950-23:2006/corrigendum Oct. 2008, EN 62368-1:2014, EN 62368-1:2014/A11:2017, EN 62368-1:2014/AC:2015, EN 62368-1:2014/AC:2015, EN 62368-1:2014/AC:2015 and EN 62368-1:2014/AC:2017-03.

This new version of the standard has not yet been published in the OJEU, so they are not yet harmonized. Currently, the harmonized standard for 2014/35/EU, 2014/53/EU Directives is EN 62368-1:2014 + EN 62368-1:2014/AC:2015. It is important to note that as of December 12th,2020 the EN 60065 and EN 60950-1 standard, which are replaced by EN 62368-1 no longer give presumption of conformity with the Directives 2014/35/EU, 2014/53/EU.

Electrical safety avoids hazards caused by electric current and its effect on the human body – at worst by an electric shock, which even small electrical appliances can cause. Electrical safety is therefore an important basic requirement under which technology products are approved for the market. It is therefore an integral part of the regulatory tests for certification and the associated market approval.

In Europe, all audio/video, IT, and communication products must demonstrate compliance with EN 62368-1 by the end of 2020. The standards 60950-1 and 60065 were only valid until June 20, 2019, with a transition period until December 20, 2020. If devices continue to be produced after 20 December 2020, a reassessment of conformity with the Low Voltage Directive, e.g. according to EN 62368-1, is mandatory.