Hello All,
I am currently seeking some clarity on product safety testing statutory legal requirements.
Our Dubai based company is purchasing a Mobile Telecommunications Base Station and 50w Amplifier System from a supplier in the UK to ship to the Middle East (for commercial use only). The unit is made up of multiple components that have been tested to CE Marking.
There is a Third Party Inspection Company that works on behalf of the client to inspect the test records and to issue a Certificate of Conformity. They have informed us that there should be IEC inspection prior to export.
We employed a company to complete the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and they have informed us of the following: -
Product Safety
The MANUFACTURER has not conducted any safety testing on their in-house built equipment.
In addition to this they have not conducted any safety testing through any of the independent bodies or schemes such as the CB Scheme. As this is being exported beyond the EU boundaries it must meet the standard required for importation to MIDDLE EAST COUNTRY. The CB Scheme can be seen as a product passport for the world. It offers the potential of performing one test and certification to obtain one or more national certification marks in one go. Each National Certification Body (NCB) will recognize test reports issued by one another, so that the manufacturer does not need to get a product re-tested if they want to use a particular certifying body’s test mark on that product.
A new standard, IEC 62368-1, will soon replace the following global safety standards for information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and audio-visual (AV) equipment:
• IEC 60950-1 (safety requirements for ICT equipment)
• IEC 60065 (safety requirements for AV equipment)
Increased technological advancements are blurring the line between ‘traditional’ AV and ICT equipment. The IEC has therefore drafted the IEC 62368-1 to act as an overarching standard that is applicable to both electronic equipment and IT/communications technology. The standard introduces a new, hazard-based philosophy to product testing, placing more emphasis evaluating product safety in the design phase.
On December 20th 2020, the IEC 62368 will become legally compulsory for all audio-visual (AV) and information and communication technology (ICT) components and equipment located in
• The EU
• North America
• Japan
• South Korea
• China (in progress)
• Mexico
• Australia & New Zealand
Question: What is the statutory legal requirements for the manufacturer to complete IEC or is this a nice-to—have?
Any advice and links to legalsation would be welcomed.
Thank in advance.