Overview
IEC 60335-1:2020/AMD1:2025 is Amendment 1 to the IEC general safety standard for household and similar electrical appliances (Part 1: General requirements). Published as Edition 6.0 (2025‑10), this amendment updates normative references, adds and clarifies terms, tightens marking and testing rules for battery‑ and DC‑supplied appliances, and refines requirements that affect manufacturers, test laboratories and conformity assessors.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Normative references updated - Several referenced standards are replaced or added (examples: IEC 60598‑1 for luminaires, IEC 60664‑1 for insulation coordination, IEC 60730‑1 for automatic controls, IEC 62133 for batteries, IEC 60384‑14 for suppression capacitors). This aligns Part 1 with the latest component and test standards.
- Battery and DC appliance testing - Battery‑operated appliances, remote controls and accessories are explicitly tested per normative Annex B. For DC‑supplied appliances with unspecified polarity, the amendment requires applying the more unfavorable polarity unless correct polarity is ensured by construction.
- Classification and restrictions - Clarifies use of Class 0 (limited to certain low‑earth‑voltage connections) and notes jurisdictions where Class 0/0I appliances are not allowed.
- Marking and instructions - New requirements for polarity marking using IEC 60417 symbols (positive/negative) and updated caution symbols (ISO 7000 variants). Instructions must describe user/installer actions when appliances are offered with multiple rated values.
- Software and safety terminology - Adds modern software safety terms such as partitioning, software separation, safety‑related and non‑safety‑related software, and communication software - reflecting the growing software content in appliances.
- Protection and test probes - Clarifies application of test probe 18 (not for commercial appliances except parts installed in areas open to the public).
- Heating and component limits - Updates Table 3 and related footnotes for temperature rise limits and component references (capacitors, cord ratings, etc.), and replaces legacy references to align with newer editions of component standards.
Practical applications and users
This amendment is essential for:
- Appliance manufacturers updating designs to meet current safety and marking requirements.
- Design engineers working on battery‑powered, DC‑supplied or software‑controlled appliances.
- Test labs and certification bodies applying the latest test methods and normative references.
- Regulatory authorities and standards writers harmonizing national rules with IEC requirements.
- Technical writers and compliance teams preparing instructions and safety labels.
Adopting IEC 60335-1:2020/AMD1:2025 helps ensure product safety, reduce market access risks, and align appliance design with up‑to‑date component and software safety practices.
Related standards (select)
Keywords: IEC 60335-1:2020/AMD1:2025, household and similar electrical appliances, appliance safety, general requirements, battery testing, DC polarity, software safety, luminaires, normative references.
Open preview (PDF)Amendment 1 - Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 1: General requirements
