How to Obtain EU EN 62368 Compliance Certification?

What is EN 62368 Compliance?

EN 62368 is the core safety standard for electronic products in Europe, with its full name being Safety Requirements for Audio/Video, Information Technology and Communication Technology Equipment (EN 62368-1). Its corresponding international standard is iec 62368-1.

Definition and Scope of Application of EU EN 62368 Standard

1. Definition

EN 62368 is a harmonized standard under the EU low voltage directive (LVD). It aims to unify the safety requirements for audio-visual (AV), information technology (IT) and communication technology equipment, replacing the previous standards en 60950-1 (for IT equipment) and en 60065 (for AV equipment).

2. Applicable Products

①　IT Equipment: Computers, servers, routers, network devices, etc.

②　AV Equipment: Televisions, audio systems, projectors, headphones, etc.

③　Communication Equipment: Smartphones, wireless chargers, base station equipment, etc.

④　Emerging Technologies: Energy storage devices, wireless power transmitters, etc.

Core Safety Requirements

Based on the Hazard-Based Engineering (HBE) approach, it identifies hazardous energy sources in equipment (such as electric shock, fire, mechanical injury, etc.) and formulates active protective measures, instead of relying on traditional empirical rules.

Six Core Safety Dimensions of EN 62368 Standard

1. Electrical Safety: Protective design including insulation, grounding, current-limiting circuits, etc.

2. Thermal Safety: Temperature control, fire-resistant enclosures and temperature resistance performance of materials.

3. Mechanical Safety: Enclosure strength, protection of moving parts.

4. Acoustic and Environmental Safety: Noise limits, control of hazardous substances.

5. Thermal Medium Safety: Protection against leakage of dangerous liquids or gases.

6. Physical Safety: Protection against injuries from user-accessible components.

Key test items include insulation performance testing, abnormal temperature rise assessment, mechanical strength testing, battery safety evaluation, etc.

Implementation and Update Dynamics of EN 62368 Standard

(1) Mandatory Implementation Date: Since December 20, 2020, the EU has mandated that new products must comply with EN 62368-1, and certifications under the old standards are no longer valid.

(2) Latest Version: IEC 62368-1:2018 (3rd edition), which adds requirements for outdoor equipment, wireless chargers, etc.

(3) Key Update Points of the 4th Edition (Expected):

①　Prohibit the use of components certified under the old standards (en 60950-1/EN 60065).

②　Add T.8 testing for thermoplastic materials and foreign object detection specifications for wireless power transmitters.

③　Strengthen lithium battery safety evaluation (e.g., current tolerance under high-temperature environments).

Significance of EN 62368 Certification

1. Market Access

Obtaining EN 62368 certification is a prerequisite for products to enter the EU market, in compliance with the requirements of the LVD.

2. International Universality

It is highly aligned with the IEC standard, supporting the principle of "one test, multiple country recognitions" and reducing global compliance costs.

Application Scenarios

1. Wireless Chargers: Must meet requirements for foreign object detection, temperature limits and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

2. Energy Storage Devices: Must pass testing for fire-resistant enclosures and environmental adaptability.

3. Smart Wearable Devices: Need to conduct evaluations on battery safety and mechanical structure reliability.

Through dynamic updates to technical specifications, EN 62368 continuously adapts to emerging technologies, ensuring the safety and reliability of electronic products throughout their entire life cycle.