ANSI/UL 62368-1 published as bi-national standard on February 17, 2012!

A new alternative certification option for AV & IT/CT equipment entering North America

UL is pleased to announce the First Edition of UL 62368-1, Safety of Audio/Video, Information & Communication Technology Equipment, has just been published! UL 62368-1 was developed as a U.S. and Canadian bi-national standard (the requirements are the same for both the US & Canada), and as such it will be formally designated CSA C22.2 No. 62368-1/UL 62368-1. The new standard is offered as an alternative to CSA/UL 60950-1, CSA 60065 and UL 60065. In other words, for the US and Canada, if a company would like UL and cUL certification to CSA/UL 62368-1 when a 60065- or 60950-based standard was required in the past, they can use this new safety standard as an option.

An added benefit for A/V Equipment intended for Canada and the U.S. is that one fully harmonized standard now may be used instead of two!

The involved US & Canadian Industry and Standards Development Organizations decided to move in this direction in support of the IEC TC 108 recommendation for the IEC 62368-1 standard to be formally published and adopted nationally and regionally to allow Industry to learn about it and take advantage of some of the increased flexibility it offers.

Updated Effective Date information indicating that UL 62368-1 is available as an alternative to UL 60065 and UL 60950-1- will be published on UL.com shortly. Again, the First Edition will not be a mandated replacement of either 60065 or 60950-1.

When IEC 62368-1 Edition No. 2 is published (likely in 2013), it is anticipated a harmonized North American version also will be developed, proposed and adopted. At that time it is expected that the Edition No. 2 of CSA/UL 62368-1 in North America (and Edition No. 2 of IEC 62368-1 in the IECEE CB Scheme) will replace the existing 60950-1 and 60065 standards after a formal transition period is announced (with a formal Effective Date).

A Test Report Form (TRF) for the new standard already exists, for which UL was the originator, and UL is now ready to issue UL certifications to this new Standard. Please contact Kevin Ravo, general manager for technology, standards and regulations for details.

THESE UPDATES ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO CONVEY LEGAL OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.  USE OF THE INFORMATION IN THESE UPDATES IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.  PLEASE CONTACT LOCAL COUNSEL FOR LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING THE REGULATIONS DISCUSSED HEREIN.