Overview
IEC 60335-2-7:2008/AMD2:2016 is the second amendment to the international standard governing safety requirements specific to household and similar electrical appliances, particularly washing machines. Issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), this amendment builds upon the baseline IEC 60335-2-7:2008 standard to ensure enhanced safety features and testing protocols are met for washing machines used in a variety of domestic and similar environments.
This standard amendment focuses on critical aspects such as mechanical hazards, appliance stability, user instructions, and durability testing of key components. Its application ensures manufacturers maintain compliance with globally accepted safety benchmarks, improving consumer protection and product reliability.
Key Topics
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Scope and Application
The standard applies to washing machines used in households and analogous settings, including staff kitchens, farms, hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, shared laundry facilities, and residential blocks. Manufacturers must clearly state in user instructions if they limit appliance use beyond these environments.
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Safety Markings and User Instructions
The amendment requires clear markings and detailed instructions highlighting the intended usage environments and any restrictions imposed by the manufacturer. This ensures users understand the appropriate application of the washing machine, reducing misuse risks.
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Mechanical and Stability Requirements
New clauses address front-opening washing machines with doors exceeding 200 mm opening dimension and drum volumes over 60 liters (dm³). They impose safety controls preventing washing cycles from starting or resuming without manual activation of a drum movement control.
It also mandates that the door must be openable from the inside with a force not exceeding 70 Newtons when the appliance is powered off or in standby, preventing entrapment.
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Testing of Elastomeric Parts
The amendment replaces prior ageing test methods with a detailed test protocol based on ISO 1817:2015. It specifies immersion tests for rubber and thermoplastic elastomer parts in detergent and rinsing solutions at elevated temperatures to measure changes in mass and hardness, ensuring material durability against washing conditions.
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Electronic Circuit Reliability
Safety compliance tests include conditions where electronic controls face fault simulations and electromagnetic disturbances. This guarantees that automated safety features remain operational under fault or interference scenarios.
Applications
IEC 60335-2-7:2008/AMD2:2016 is primarily applied by:
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Washing Machine Manufacturers
To design appliances that meet stringent international safety norms ensuring mechanical stability, operational safety, and material durability.
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Testing and Certification Bodies
To conduct standardized tests assessing compliance with updated technical and safety criteria, including mechanical hazard prevention and ageing of elastomeric components.
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Regulatory Authorities
To establish national and international regulations harmonized with IEC standards, providing a reliable framework for product approvals and market surveillance.
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Product Designers and Engineers
To reference safety requirements during appliance development, particularly for front-loading washing machines with larger door openings and drum capacities.
By adopting this amendment, stakeholders ensure washing machines are safe for consumer use in diverse environments, reducing risks related to mechanical failures, door entrapments, and material degradation.
Related Standards
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IEC 60335-1 – General Safety Requirements for Household and Similar Electrical Appliances
Provides overarching safety principles applicable to all household appliances, serving as a foundation for part-specific standards like IEC 60335-2-7.
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ISO 1817:2015 – Rubber, Vulcanized or Thermoplastic – Determination of the Effect of Liquids
Defines procedures for testing the resistance of elastomeric parts to chemicals found in detergents and rinsing agents, relevant for component ageing tests required in IEC 60335-2-7.
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IEC 60335-2-11 – Particular Requirements for Microwave Ovens
Highlights the sectional approach of IEC standards where specific appliance categories have tailored safety requirements aligned with the general rules.
Keywords: IEC 60335-2-7 Amendment 2, washing machine safety standards, household electrical appliance safety, mechanical hazards, elastomer ageing test, front-loading washing machine, electrical appliance compliance, IEC standards for washing machines, appliance stability requirements, user instructions for washing machines.