IEC TR 62368-2-2025 PDF

Full title and description

St IEC TR 62368-2-2025 — Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment — Part 2: Explanatory information related to IEC 62368-1:2023. A technical report providing background, explanatory guidance and implementation notes to support consistent application of the hazard-based requirements given in IEC 62368-1.

Abstract

This Technical Report (edition 4.0, 2025) supplies informative guidance and explanatory material for selected clauses of IEC 62368-1:2023. It clarifies the purpose and applicability of the hazard-based approach, explains energy-source classifications and key hazard concepts, and offers background on selected safeguards, components and application cases. The TR is informative only and does not add normative requirements; in case of conflict, the normative text of IEC 62368-1:2023 prevails.

General information

• Status: Published — current technical report edition.
• Publication date: July 3, 2025.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 33.160.01 (Safety of electronic equipment within the field of audio/video, information technology and communication).
• Edition / version: 4.0 (2025).
• Number of pages: 233 (base Technical Report edition).

Scope

IEC TR 62368-2:2025 provides explanatory information related to the normative requirements of IEC 62368-1:2023. It describes the intent, applicability and exclusions of IEC 62368-1, explains hazard-based safety engineering (HBSE) concepts used in the standard, and offers background and examples for selected subclauses where additional interpretation helps consistent application. The TR explicitly excludes introducing additional normative requirements and does not replace functional safety standards (for example IEC 61508) where functional-safety-specific requirements apply.

Key topics and requirements

• Explanation of the hazard-based approach and energy-source classification concepts used in IEC 62368-1.
• Guidance on electrically-caused injury and fire hazards: insulation, protective conductors, touch voltage/current and backfeed considerations.
• Discussion of ignition sources, material flammability considerations and fire propagation in AV/ICT equipment.
• Component- and safeguard-level guidance: switches, varistors, capacitors, printed circuit boards, connectors and interconnection cables.
• Application notes for special equipment classes (e.g., computers controlling safety systems) and clarification of exclusions such as functional safety topics.
• Context and rationale for incorporation or adaptation of requirements from legacy standards (for example IEC 60950-23) into the hazard-based framework.
• Informative examples and explanatory commentary to support test labs, manufacturers and assessors in applying IEC 62368-1.

Typical use and users

Primary users include product safety engineers, design teams for audio/video and ICT equipment, compliance and regulatory specialists, conformity assessment bodies and test laboratories. The TR is also useful to standards committees, technical authors, risk assessors and anyone needing interpretative guidance to apply IEC 62368-1:2023 consistently across product families.

Related standards

IEC 62368-1:2023 (normative), previous editions of IEC TR 62368-2 (2018/2019 editions), IEC 60950-23 (legacy requirements referenced/adapted), IEC 61508 (functional safety — excluded topics), and applicable ISO documents addressing robots and service/personal care robot safety (for example ISO 13482) where overlap in application exists.

Keywords

IEC 62368-2, technical report, hazard-based safety engineering, HBSE, AV equipment, ICT equipment, explanatory guidance, IEC 62368-1, touch current, fire ignition, safeguards, components, functional safety exclusion.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is IEC TR 62368-2:2025, the Technical Report providing explanatory information related to IEC 62368-1:2023 for audio/video and information & communication technology equipment.

Q: What does it cover?

A: The TR explains the intent and application of selected clauses in IEC 62368-1, clarifies energy-source classifications and HBSE concepts, and offers background, examples and guidance for safeguards, components and selected application scenarios. It is informative only and does not add normative requirements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Product safety engineers, designers, compliance specialists, test laboratories, conformity assessment bodies, and standards committees use the TR to interpret and apply IEC 62368-1 consistently.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: This edition (4.0) was published on July 3, 2025 and is the current Technical Report edition; it cancels and replaces the previous edition published for the older IEC 62368-1 editions (the earlier TR edition was issued to support IEC 62368-1:2018).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 2 of the IEC 62368 series. Part 1 (IEC 62368-1) contains the normative hazard-based safety requirements; Part 2 (this TR) provides explanatory and background material to support Part 1.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Hazard-based safety engineering (HBSE), AV/ICT equipment, explanatory guidance, safeguards, energy sources, touch current, fire ignition, IEC 62368-1, functional safety exclusion.