IEC 62368-1's allowance for application of non-prescriptive HBSE to innovative products

IEC 62368-1, Edition No. 1 covers audio/video, information and communication technology equipment within its product scope. Once an energy source has been identified and classified, the Standard contains both performance and construction options to determine the effectiveness of required safeguards for ordinary persons, instructed persons and skilled persons having contact with the equipment. This Standard was developed by IEC TC108 using Hazard-based Safety Engineering (HBSE) with a goal to facilitate consistency in the application of the requirements under a global conformity assessment system. However, it was anticipated that there also would be times when new and innovative technologies, materials and methods of construction are utilized by manufacturers in electronic products covered under its scope, and these new aspects may not be specifically covered by the Standard. In the past, this has resulted in some difficulties applying product safety standards, with delays achieving certification and introducing innovative and ground-breaking products to global markets. Fortunately, IEC 62368-1 contains provision in its sub-clause 4.1.5 for applying non-prescriptive, basic HBSE principles for “technologies, and materials or methods of construction not specifically covered in this standard...” This provision allows for timely and efficient application of IEC 62368-1 to innovative forms of high technology products, helping to address a past impediment that sometimes prevented manufacturers from achieving certification and introducing products to global markets in a timely manner.