The IEC, or International Electrotechnical Commission, is an standards organization based in Geneva, Switzerland that creates international standards for electrical and electronic devices and equipment. 

IEC standards cover a broad range of topics related to electrical safety and performance. The standards published by the IEC are used as the basis of regulations in many nations covering topics such as electromagnetic compatibility, safety and operation. 

Below, we’ve explained what the IEC is, as well as why IEC standards play such an important role in electrical device safety and performance. We’ve also talked about how IEC testing and compliance works, including the steps you can take to comply with IEC standards.

What is the IEC?

The IEC is an organization that produces and publishes standards for electrical and electronic technologies. Technologies covered by the IEC include home and office appliances, equipment used in industry, semiconductors, fiber optics, batteries, and even energy generation.

Many new technologies, such as nanotechnology, are also the subject of research published or funded by the IEC.

The main purpose of the IEC is to provide consistent, uniform standards for electronics. These standards ensure that devices can operate seamlessly and safely together in different markets, without posing safety or compatibility risks, regardless of their country of origin.

Why IEC Standards are Important

As a manufacturer, IEC standards play a critical role not only in proving that your device is safe and compatible with other electrical equipment, but also in helping you achieve market access around the world.

Many countries and markets use IEC standards as the basis for their own technical standards for electronic devices. For example, in the EU, European Norm (EN) standards are developed from the IEC’s standards for electronic devices.

Our guide to IEC and EN standards goes into more detail about how European standards for electronics use IEC standards as a reference. 

Designing your product with IEC compliance in mind can help to reduce production costs by minimizing the variety of components you need to produce. It can also make the process of certifying your product for use in different markets easier and more affordable. 

For consumers, IEC standards can serve as an indicator that a product has passed through strict testing and offers a high level of performance and reliability.

IEC Testing & Compliance

Adhering to IEC standards involves rigorous testing and compliance. This ensures that any electronic devices not only meet the technical requirements of IEC standards, but also meet strict safety and performance requirements.

IEC testing can be complex, and it often involves multiple aspects of a device’s operation, its design, and its compatibility with other electronic equipment.

If you have a device that needs IEC testing and compliance, you’ll need to work with a testing lab to ensure your product complies with the relevant IEC standards. 

The lab will conduct various tests, including performance tests and safety tests, to verify that your device meets the relevant standards.

As an accredited testing lab, we often test devices before they go to market to verify that they meet IEC standards for electromagnetic compatibility.

To learn more about IEC testing and compliance requirements, or to ask our engineering team any questions about IEC standards, you can contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287.

Contact Us About Electrical Device Testing

Testing your electronic device and ensuring it complies with IEC standards is an important step in the process of entering the market. IEC testing often happens alongside lab testing for other standards, such as FCC Part 15 testing. 

If you need to complete testing for your electronic device, we’re here to help. As an accredited electronic testing lab, our team of engineers can complete testing for your device and help you achieve compliance with IEC standards and other regulations.

To request a quote for testing your device, or to ask our engineers a question, contact us online or call us at 866-540-5287.