What you should know about IEC 62368-1 HBSE FAQ

IEC 62368-1 HBSE replacing IEC 60950-1 and IEC 60065: Frequently Asked Questions

In recent times new electronic devices and applications have been developed at unprecedented rates; simultaneously, the lines between technologies have been, and continue to become, blurred.  Product compliance standards, and standards committees, have been unable to respond fast enough to adequately address the compliance issues brought on by these emerging/merging products entering the marketplace.

Few industries make this more apparent than the Audio/Video; and, Information and Communications Technology industries.  By way of example, the proliferation of “smart-phone technologies” has led to the combination of numerous types of equipment (i.e. it’s a: telephone, camera, music player, television/streaming video, video projector, and more).  These formerly separate devices are now combined in one device; that we can carry in our pocket; and, new makes and models are being release at a breathtaking rate.

The prescriptive nature of the legacy standards for these industries (IEC 60065 for the Audio Video equipment; and, IEC 60950-1 for the Information and Telecommunications Technology Equipment) cause them to be less malleable than is needed to address the current needs of these industries.   In response, these communities have joined together to develop IEC 62368-1, the standard for Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology Equipment.  IEC 62368-1 is a new breed of standard that has, were appropriate, replaced the prescriptive approach to compliance with a more hazard-based approach (known as HBSE, Hazard-Based Safety Engineering).

The hazard-based approach of IEC 62368-1 necessitates application of the HBSE principles, found in IEC 62368-1, as early in the design process as practicable.  Each type of hazard, and each instance of a hazard need to be addressed.  The hazards (Electrical, Thermal – both ignition and burn, Chemical, Kinetic, and Radiation) need to be identified and safeguards need to be derived and implemented prior to the completion, or production, of the design/product.

What Is IEC 62368-1?
It is the new safety standard for Information Technology Equipment and Audio/Video Equipment.  It is intended to replace IEC 60950-1 and IEC 60065. It is a hazard-based, performance-oriented standard.

Is IEC 62368-1 a Risk-based Standard?
No! Unlike IEC 60601-1, 3rd Edition, risk analysis is not required. Neither is it a simple merger of IEC 60065 and 60950-1.

Why Are IEC 60950-1 & 60065 Being Replaced?
IEC 62368 was developed to replace the old prescriptive approaches, of IEC 60065 and IEC 60950-1, to more readily and adequately address innovative and evolving technologies that have heretofore outpaced the responsiveness of the standards development communities.


If you have additional questions about the change Contact us or if you have an immediate need for product safety testing for IT or A/V equipment submit a request for testing.

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