European Union – Upcoming Standard Changes for Appliances

By Ylenia Merli, EMEA regulatory program expert

European Union - Harmonized standards dates of withdrawal

Electrical equipment which is in conformity with a harmonized European Standard (EN) cited in the Official Journal of the European Union may be presumed to be in conformity with the corresponding requirements of harmonization legislation.

New European harmonized standard editions or amendments become mandatory starting from the date of cessation of presumption of conformity of superseded standard as published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Generally, this date is the same as the Date of Withdrawal (DOW) as published in the individual superseding standards.

This date marks the end of the period during which both the old and the new version of the standard can be used to claim presumption of conformity to the essential requirements of the relevant directive. After that date, presumption of conformity can no longer be claimed for a product manufactured according to the old version of the standard.

Here is a recent change in harmonized standards:

On Nov. 27, 2020, with the implementing decision EU 2020/1779, the list of harmonized standards under the Directive 2014/35/EU was amended.

The implementing decision EU 2020/1779 amends implementing decision (EU) 2019/1956 with regard to harmonized standards for certain household and similar appliances, electrical supply track systems for luminaires, luminaires for emergency lighting, switches for household and similar fixed electrical installations, circuit breakers, proximity switches, arc welding power sources, and electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use.

The new standards published in the Official Journal of the European Union may be used by manufacturers to assess and declare conformity to the regulation requirements of Directive 2014/35/EU.

The publication in the official journal grants presumption of conformity.

References of harmonized standards conferring a presumption of conformity with Directive 2014/35/EU.

Please be aware that it is an amendment and not the complete list.

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union except for Points 1 and 3 of Annex I that shall apply from May 30, 2022 and Point 5 of Annex I shall that apply from May 30, 2021.

On Oct. 10, 2020, the EN 60034-18-42:2017/A1:2020 was published. DOW: 2023-09-22

The EN 60034-18-42:2017/A1:2020 Rotating electrical machines - Part 18-42: Partial discharge resistant electrical insulation systems (Type II) used in rotating electrical machines fed from voltage converters - Qualification tests have been published.

The EN 60034-18-42:2017/A1:2020 is equivalent to IEC 60034-18-42:2017/A1:2020 (EQV).

The EN 60034-18-42:2017+A1:2020 defines criteria for assessing the insulation system of stator/rotor windings of single or polyphase AC machines which are subjected to repetitive impulse voltages, such as those generated by pulse width modulation (PWM) converters and are expected to experience and withstand partial discharge activity during service. It specifies electrical qualification tests on representative specimens to verify fitness for operation with voltage-source converters. It also describes an additional classification system which defines the limits of reliable performance under converter-fed conditions.

On Oct. 10, 2020, the EN IEC 62841-2-6:2020 and the EN IEC 62841-2-6:2020/A11:2020 was published. DOW: 2024-08-10

The EN IEC 62841-2-6:2020 is equivalent to IEC 62841-2-6:2020.

Tools covered by EN IEC 62841-2-6:2020 include percussion hammers and rotary hammers, including rotary hammers with the capability to rotate only with the percussion system disengaged (drill-only mode). The rated voltage is not more than 250 V for single-phase AC or DC tools, and 480 V for three-phase AC tools. This document does not apply to drills and impact drills. This document does not apply to tools that are designed exclusively for driving fasteners, such as palm nailers.

On Sept. 18, 2020, the corrigendum 2020 of EN 55016-2-1 was published.

The text of the corrigendum CISPR 16-2-1:2014/COR1:2020 was approved by CENELEC as EN 55016-2-1:2014/AC:2020-09 without any modification.

This corrigendum includes the following modification:

9.2 Test set, replace in the third paragraph the value for the relative permittivity εr "1,05" with "1,4".

This corrigendum became effective on Sept. 18, 2020, for incorporation into the English language version of the EN.

On Oct. 30, 2020, the new EN IEC 61000-4-3:2020 was published. DOW: 2022-10-13

The EN IEC 61000-4-3:2020 is applicable to the immunity requirements of electrical and electronic equipment to radiated electromagnetic energy. It establishes test levels and the required test procedures. The object of this document is to establish a common reference for evaluating the immunity of electrical and electronic equipment when subjected to radiated, radio-frequency electromagnetic fields.

The test method documented in this part of EN IEC 61000 describes a consistent method to assess the immunity of equipment or a system against RF electromagnetic fields from RF sources not in close proximity to the equipment under test (EUT).

This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:

• Testing using multiple test signals has been described
• Additional information on EUT and cable layout has been added
• The upper frequency limitation has been removed to take account of new services
• The characterization of the field, as well as the checking of power amplifier linearity of the immunity chain, are specified

On Oct. 30, 2020, the amendment A1:2020 of EN 60335-2-5:2015 was published. DOW: 2022-03-11

The EN 60335-2-5:2015/A1:2020 deals with the safety of electric dishwashers for household and similar purposes that are intended for washing and rinsing dishes, cutlery and other utensils, their rated voltage being not more than 250 V for single-phase appliances and 480 V for other appliances.

Appliances intended for normal household and similar use and that may also be used by laymen in shops, in light industry, and on farms, are within the scope of this standard. However, if the appliance is intended to be used professionally for washing and rinsing dishes and cutlery and other utensils that are used for commercial purposes, the appliance is not considered to be for household and similar use only. As far as is practicable, this standard deals with the common hazards presented by appliances that are encountered by all persons in and around the home. However, in general, it does not take into account persons (including children) whose physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge prevents them from using the appliance safely without supervision or instruction or children playing with the appliance.

The principal changes in this edition are as follows:

• Added requirements to 22.104 to address switch issues
• Converted notes to normative text (3.1.9, 7.12, 10.1, 10.2, 15.101, 22.6, 22.103, AA.1, AA.2, Annex BB - Clause 4)
• Deleted notes (19.101, 22.6, 23.101, AA.2)

The EN 60335-2-5:2015/A1:2020 is the equivalent of IEC 60335-2-5:2012/A1:2018.

On Oct. 30, 2020, the EN 60436:2020/A11:2020 was published. DOW: 2023-10-28

The EN 60436:2020/A11:2020 deals with electric dishwashers for household use and methods for measuring the performance.

On Dec. 2, 2020, the EN 1673:2020 was published. DOW: 2021-06-30

This document specifies safety and hygiene requirements for the design and manufacture of rotary rack ovens which can be used with one or more mobile racks. These ovens are intended for professional use in the food industry and workshops (bakeries, pastry-making, etc.) for the batch baking of foodstuffs containing flour, water and other ingredients and/or additives. This document applies to ovens used only for food products except for those containing volatile flammable ingredients (volatile organic compounds, e.g., alcohol, oil, etc.).

This document applies to ovens in which the steam is generated by an evaporation process of drinking water on hot surfaces.

The following machines are excluded:

• Experimental and testing machines under development by the manufacturer
• Machines for non-professional uses

NOTE: Due to the fact that rotary rack ovens are intended for professional uses, EN 60335-1 and EN 60335-2-42 are not applicable.

This document covers the technical safety requirements for the transport, installation, operation, cleaning and maintenance of these machines (see EN ISO 12100:2010, Clause 6). This document deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to rotary rack ovens when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see informative Annex C)

On Dec. 4, 2020, the following new standards were published:

EN 60456:2016/A11:2020 Clothes washing machines for household use - Methods for measuring the performance - DOW:10/21/2023

EN IEC 62512:2020 Electric clothes washer-dryers for household use - Methods for measuring the performance - DOW:11/4/2023

EN IEC 62512:2020/A11:2020 Electric clothes washer-dryers for household use - Methods for measuring the performance - DOW:10/21/2023

On Dec. 11, 2020, the EN 50632-2-6:2015/A2:2020 was published.

This European Standard specifies general requirements for the dust measurement of electric motor-operated tools supplied from mains or from batteries. This European Standard applies to those tools with and without a dust extraction unit where dust such as mineral dust containing silica or wood dust is expected. This part of EN 50632 applies to hammers.

How UL can help

UL is expertly qualified to assist companies in demonstrating their products meet the essential requirements of EU directives and regulations. We help customers to achieve compliance testing according to the applicable harmonized standards.

We also provide product certification marks such as the D-mark, UL-EU and ENEC marks. Widely recognized throughout Europe, the D-mark, UL-EU and ENEC marks are voluntary for appliances. They demonstrate compliance of products with harmonized European standards verified by an independent third party. Therefore they could be complementary marks to the mandatory CE marking which is based on a self-declaration.

CB Scheme - International Standard IEC

The CB Scheme is a vast international arrangement established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for mutual acceptance of test reports among participating certification organizations in the field of electrical and electronic equipment.

The CB Scheme is an international network of product certification organizations in more than 50 countries around the world.

The CB Scheme benefits product manufacturers and distributors engaged in international trade by providing:

• A single point of product testing for efficient global market access
• Global acceptance of test reports leading to national certification in CB Scheme member countries
• Unilateral acceptance of test reports in many developing countries that are not yet participating in the CB Scheme

On Oct. 5, 2020, the IEC 60034-11:2020 was published.

IEC 60034-11:2020 specifies requirements relating to the use of thermal protectors and thermal detectors incorporated into the stator windings or placed in other suitable positions in induction machines in order to protect them against serious damage due to thermal overloads.

It applies to single-speed, three-phase, 50 Hz or 60 Hz cage induction motors in accordance with IEC 60034-1 and IEC 60034-12 that:

• Have a rated voltage up to 1,000 V
• Are intended for direct-on-line or star-delta starting

The main changes with respect to the previous edition are:

• Additional specification of winding temperature limits for temperature class 200 (N)
• Increased limits of maximum winding temperatures for overloads with rapid variation
• Clarification that the motor winding may be permanently damaged after it has been exposed to temperatures
• Clarification of the definition of indirect thermal protection
• Clarification of the test methods for larger motors

On Oct. 7, 2020, the IEC 60034-7:2020 was published.

IEC 60034-7:2020 specifies the IM Code, a classification of types of construction, mounting arrangements and the terminal box position of rotating electrical machines.

Two systems of classification are provided as follows:

• Code I: An alpha-numeric designation applicable to machines with end-shield bearing(s) and only one shaft extension
• Code II: An all-numeric designation applicable to a wider range of types of machines including types covered by Code I

The main technical changes with regard to the previous edition are as follows:

• Note on twin motors added
• Reference to 4.3 instead of duplication of text
• New sub-clause on marking of shaft inclination or declination.

On Nov. 11, 2020, the IEC 62841-4-3:2020 was published.

This document applies to the design of pedestrian-controlled, walk-behind

• Cylinder lawnmowers
• Rotary lawnmowers equipped with
  • Metallic cutting means
  • Rigid non-metallic cutting means
  • Non-metallic cutting means with one or more cutting elements pivotally mounted on a generally circular drive unit, where these cutting elements rely on centrifugal force to achieve cutting, and have a kinetic energy for each single cutting element of greater than 10 J.

On Nov. 18, 2020, the IEC 62841-4-4:2020 was published.

This document applies to hand-held and walk-behind lawn trimmers and lawn edge trimmers, used by a standing operator for cutting grass, weeds or similar soft vegetation, and grass trimmers, brush cutters and brush saws used by a standing operator for cutting grass, weeds, brush, bushes, saplings and similar vegetation.

This document does not apply to:

• Hand-held machines having a mass of 18 kg or greater
• Self-propelled lawn trimmers or lawn edge trimmers
• Scissor-type lawn trimmers and lawn edge trimmers
• Machines equipped with metallic cutting accessories consisting of more than one piece, e.g., pivoting chains or flail blades
• Edgers with rigid and/or metallic cutting devices

Annex EE provides an informative summary of characteristics for lawn trimmers, lawn edge trimmers, grass trimmers, brush cutters and brush saws.

Brush cutters and brush saws covered by this document are designed only to be operated with the machine to the right of the operator.

On Nov. 30, 2020, the amendments A1:2020 of IEC 62552-1:2015; IEC 62552-2:2015 and IEC 62552-3:2015 were published.

IEC 62552-1:2015+AMD1:2020 deals with household refrigerating appliances - Characteristics and test methods - Part 1: General requirements

IEC 62552-2:2015+AMD1:2020 deals with household refrigerating appliances - Characteristics and test methods - Part 2: Performance requirements

IEC 62552-3:2015+AMD1:2020 deals with Household refrigerating appliances - Characteristics and test methods - Part 3: Energy consumption and volume

On Dec. 4, 2020, standards IEC 60675-2:2020 and IEC 60675-3:2020 were published.

IEC 60675-2:2020 applies to electric, direct-acting room heaters. This standard defines performance characteristics related to the radiant effect and specifies methods for measuring the radiant factor for the information of users. This standard is used to measure the radiant factor of direct-acting room heaters single unit.

How UL can help

UL is one of the largest and most active CB Scheme members, and we operate four National Certification Bodies (NCBs) in different countries and over 50 CB Testing Laboratories (CBTLs) to provide local service with global coverage for our customers.

UL’s NCBs in Denmark, U.S., Japan and Canada, with CBTLs in all major regions, can assess your products to a broad range of IEC standards, with any relevant national or group differences.