What is Safety Testing? What Are the Safety Testing Standards?

Safety testing ensures that products are safe for consumer use, protecting users from harm and enhancing product reliability while meeting stringent global quality requirements. Today, the editor from Huabiao Testing explains the concept of safety testing and outlines the key safety testing standards.

Definition of Safety Testing

Safety Testing involves a series of standardized experiments and inspections to verify that a product complies with safety regulations and standards during design, manufacturing, and use. The goal is to ensure the product does not pose risks to users, the environment, or property under normal operation, abnormal conditions, or failure scenarios. Potential hazards include electric shock, fire, mechanical injury, or chemical contamination. Safety testing is a core component of product safety certifications such as CE, UL, FCC, and CCC, and it applies to diverse industries, including electronics, appliances, machinery, construction, automotive, and toys.

Major Safety Testing Standard Systems

Different countries, regions, and industries have their own safety standards. Below are the primary global standard systems and representative standards:

1. International Standards

• IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) Standards:
  Cover foundational safety requirements for electrical and electronic products. Examples include:

• IEC 60664-1: Insulation coordination for low-voltage systems (e.g., electrical clearances, creepage distances).

• IEC 60950-1: Safety of information technology equipment (replaced by IEC 62368-1).

• IEC 62368-1: Safety requirements for audio/video, information, and communication technology equipment (replaces IEC 60065 and IEC 60950-1).

• IEC 60335 Series: Safety standards for household and similar electrical appliances (e.g., IEC 60335-1 for general requirements, plus specific standards for individual products).

• ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Standards:
  Focus on mechanical safety, material safety, and general safety principles. Examples include:

• ISO 12100: Safety of machinery – General principles for design (risk assessment and risk reduction).

• ISO 14971: Risk management for medical devices.

2. Chinese National Standards (GB)

• GB 4706 Series: Safety standards for household and similar electrical appliances (aligned with IEC 60335). Examples:

• GB 4706.1: General requirements.

• GB 4706.2: Specific requirements for electric irons.

• GB 4706.19: Specific requirements for washing machines.

• GB 7000 Series: Safety requirements for luminaires (e.g., GB 7000.1: General requirements and tests).

• GB 8898: Safety requirements for audio and video equipment (aligned with IEC 60065).

• GB/T 16895 Series: Low-voltage electrical installation design standards (aligned with IEC 60364).

3. U.S. Standards

• UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Standards:
  Widely used in the U.S., developed by UL. Examples include:

• UL 60335 Series: Safety standards for household appliances (aligned with IEC 60335, with stricter requirements in some cases).

• UL 94: Flammability testing for plastic materials (e.g., V-0, V-1, HB ratings).

• UL 1310: Safety for Class 2 power supplies.

• UL 62368-1: Safety for audio/video and IT equipment (aligned with IEC 62368-1).

• ASTM Standards:
  Focus on consumer products, materials, and machinery. Example:

• ASTM F963: Toy safety standard (covering physical, mechanical, flammability, and chemical toxicity).

4. European Standards (EN)

• EN Standards:
  Harmonized EU standards, often based on IEC standards. Examples include:

• EN 60335 Series: Safety for household appliances (aligned with IEC 60335).

• EN 62368-1: Safety for audio/video and IT equipment (aligned with IEC 62368-1).

• EN 55014 Series: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards (e.g., EN 55014-1 for emission, EN 55014-2 for immunity).

• Machinery Directive (MD) Standards:

• EN ISO 12100: Safety of machinery – Design principles.

• EN 349: Safety of machinery – Minimum gaps to avoid crushing.

5. Other Regional Standards

• Japan:

• JIS Standards: E.g., JIS C 60335 (appliance safety, aligned with IEC 60335).

• PSE Certification: Mandatory for electrical products, divided into “Specified Electrical Appliances” (e.g., plugs, transformers, requiring third-party certification) and “Non-Specified Electrical Appliances” (self-declaration).

• Australia/New Zealand:

• AS/NZS Standards: E.g., AS/NZS 60335 (appliance safety, aligned with IEC 60335), AS/NZS 3100 (electrical installation standards).

• Canada:

• CSA Standards: E.g., CSA C22.2 No. 60335 (appliance safety, aligned with IEC 60335), CSA C22.1 (Canadian Electrical Code).

Key Considerations for Safety Testing

• Product-Specific Standards: Each product type (e.g., toys, appliances, IT equipment) has unique requirements, often combining general standards (e.g., IEC 60335-1) with specific ones (e.g., IEC 60335-2-7 for washing machines).

• Market Requirements: Compliance with the target market’s standards (e.g., UL for the U.S., EN for the EU) is essential for market access.

• Testing Scope: Includes electrical safety (e.g., insulation, grounding), mechanical safety (e.g., stability, sharp edges), thermal safety (e.g., overheating), and chemical safety (e.g., restricted substances).

• Certification Process: Involves sample testing, documentation review, and issuance of test reports or certificates by accredited laboratories.

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, offers comprehensive safety testing solutions. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our test data is accurate and reliable, and our test reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products succeed globally.