There are multiple compliance paths to ensuring the safety of electrical equipment. Electronic products intended for use in the EU can be certified in accordance with the Low Voltage Directive and other applicable EU harmonised standards. Alternatively, compliance can be ensured according to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) CB Scheme. This guide explains the CE marking and CB certification of electrical equipment, highlights important regulatory changes, and considers the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Let’s get started:

CE Mark Electrical and Electronic Products
The CE mark is mandatory for all products that comply with health and safety directives established by the European Union. Once CE marked is obtained, the product can be freely sold and distributed within the EU. Electrical appliances fall within the scope of such directives and must therefore bear the CE mark to be sold in the EU. Let’s take a closer look at the EU directives that apply when CE marking electronic products.

The Low Voltage Directive 2014 /35/EU (LVD) is considered an “overarching” EU directive for electronic products because it applies to a wide range of products, including:

household equipment
cable
power supply device
laser equipment
Electrical components (such as fuses or batteries)
LVD is designed to ensure that electrical equipment within the following voltage limits can be used safely:

AC power between 50 and 1000 V
DC power between 75 and 1500 V
If your electrical equipment falls within the LVD scope, you can bear the CE mark only if your product meets the requirements listed in the Directive. You must also conduct a risk assessment and document it in your technical file.

Keep in mind that electronic products may fall within the scope of multiple directives. For example, electronic products that include radio or Bluetooth capabilities may need to comply with the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED). Other instructions related to electrical equipment or components include:

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2004/108/EC
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive 2011/65/EC
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2012/19/EU
Eco-design (EU-wide rules to improve product environmental performance)
More information about the EMC Directive
All electronic devices are subject to electromagnetic interference: they affect each other when connected to each other or placed close to each other. For example, static electricity may be present on the phone or TV when other appliances are running nearby. The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2014/30/EU exists to control the effects of electromagnetic interference by outlining the technologies and techniques that must be used to reduce such interference. All electrical equipment must comply with EMC requirements before being put on the market.

In short, EMC: limits the electromagnetic radiation of equipment, controls the immunity of equipment, and strives to ensure that equipment is not interfered with by radio emissions.
What about RoHS II and the new RoHS III?
When CE marking electronic products, manufacturers often question multiple RoHS directives. RoHS stands for restrictions on hazardous substances. RoHS I restricts the use of ten hazardous substances when manufacturing electronic and electrical equipment.

Since RoHS I came into effect, restrictions on other substances have been added: in 2011, they were first revised in the form of Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS II). In 2015, Directive (EU) 2015/863 (RoHS III) added four additional restricted substances to the list, namely:

Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (0.1%)
Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) (0.1%)
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (0.1%)
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (0.1%)
If your product falls within the scope of RoHS, please be aware that RoHS II and RoHS III are not substitutes, but amendments to the original directive. You must consider the standards listed in the original RoHS Directive and ensure that your products comply with the other substance restrictions listed in RoHS II and RoHS III. The RoHS mark is also widely used voluntarily in other parts of the world as proof of compliance.

Consider CB certification for electrical equipment
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is an organization that develops global standards for electrical and electronic products. The IEC has established an arrangement for mutual acceptance of test reports in the field of electrical and electronic equipment: the IECEE Certification Body (CB) Program.

Why should I be certified according to IEC standards?
There are several benefits to certification under the CB Plan:

Elimination of trade barriers due to different certification standards
Reduce costs and delays due to various testing and approval processes
Ensure consumer confidence through internationally recognized certifications
Potential for one-time testing and certification
CB Scheme can be regarded as a product passport to the world. It provides the possibility to obtain one or more national certification marks at one time through one test and certification. Each national certification body (NCB) recognizes each other’s test reports, so if you want to use a specific certification body’s test mark on a product, you (the manufacturer) do not need to re-test the product.

Important note: IEC 62368-1 will soon replace IEC 60950-1 and IEC 60065
The new standard IEC 62368-1 will soon replace the following global safety standard equipment for information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and audio-visual (AV):

IEC 60950-1 (Safety requirements for ICT equipment)
IEC 60065 (Safety requirements for AV equipment)
More and more technological advances are blurring the line between “traditional” AV and ICT equipment. Therefore, the IEC drafted IEC 62368-1 as the overall standard applicable to electronic equipment and IT/communication technology. The standard introduces a new, hazard-based concept for product testing, with greater emphasis on assessing product safety during the design phase.

On December 20, 2020, IEC 62368 will be mandatory for all audio-visual (AV) and information and communication technology (ICT) components and equipment located in the following regions

EU
North America
Japan
South Korea
China (ongoing)
Mexico
Australia and New Zealand
Keep in mind that once IEC 62368-1 is adopted in North America and the European Union, other countries may follow suit in a short period of time. Therefore, no matter where you or your business is located, this regulatory change must be taken into account.

Should I certify my products according to the CE mark or CB scheme?
After exploring the CE marking and CB certification of electrical equipment, the question still remains: Which is the best way to certify electrical equipment? Let’s consider the advantages and potential disadvantages of both.

Certification of the CB Scheme according to IEC 62368-1 provides greater flexibility in product design and evaluation without requiring more frequent revisions. Since it is a pass for other international certifications, certification under the CB Plan will be of great benefit if you plan to enter multiple markets in a short period of time.

A potential shortcoming of the CB plan is that IEC 62368-1 is new to both manufacturers and certified engineers. Since additional steps may be needed to communicate and ensure the correct application of the new standard, the CB scheme may take more time than CE marking. More importantly, implementation of IEC 62368-1 in all countries and markets will take time. Prior to this, certain regions may not accept the new standard, which means that your product must meet its previous standards (IEC 60950-1 and IEC 60065).

Therefore, CE marking electronic products according to LVD and other applicable harmonized EU standards may mean a lower cost and shorter time than the CB plan (depending on your product). Another benefit of LVD is that manufacturers are responsible for the certification process: they can conduct the required conformity assessments without a notified body. Compliance with the CB Plan can only be achieved through the use of testing laboratories and certification bodies.

The disadvantage of the CE marking for electrical equipment is that it only applies to products sold in the EU. As more and more manufacturers, importers, manufacturers and designers begin to recognize IEC standards as reliable indicators of product safety, applying the CB Plan from the beginning can reduce long-standing barriers to international market access.

In short, the certification process for each product is different. If you are not sure whether the CE mark or CB certification is best for your electrical product, please contact us. Our experts will guide you through the entire certification process to ensure that products that meet the highest safety standards reach the market quickly.