IEC 60598 Certification for Lighting: Global Safety Guarantee & Key to International Market Access

For lighting manufacturers and traders, IEC 60598 certification is not only an authoritative guarantee of product safety but also an essential key to entering the international market.

IEC 60598 is a core global standard for lighting safety requirements developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), covering general requirements and test methods for various types of lighting fixtures. The standard aims to ensure the safety of lighting products under normal use conditions and prevent risks such as electric shock, fire, and mechanical hazards.

For lighting manufacturers and traders, understanding and obtaining IEC 60598 certification is a crucial step for products to enter the global market. This certification is accepted by most countries and regions worldwide and forms the foundation of many national local certification systems.

01 Value and Influence of IEC 60598 Certification

IEC 60598 certification enjoys broad recognition and authority in the global market. Obtaining this certification means the product meets internationally recognized safety standards and can comply with the safety regulatory requirements for lighting products in different countries and regions.

Compared with regional certifications, the CB Scheme certification based on IEC 60598 provides a more efficient and cost-effective path for global market access. With "one test, multiple country recognition," it significantly reduces the costs and time associated with repeated testing for enterprises.

Many well-known global retailers and purchasers regard IEC 60598 certification as a mandatory requirement for procuring lighting products. Holding this certification can significantly enhance product competitiveness, strengthen consumer trust, and lay a solid foundation for brand internationalization.

02 Scope of Applicable Products

The IEC 60598 standard applies to almost all types of lighting fixtures, mainly including:

• Fixed lighting fixtures: Such as chandeliers, ceiling lights, wall lights, etc.
• Portable lighting fixtures: Such as table lamps, floor lamps, etc.
• Recessed lighting fixtures: Such as downlights, grille lights, etc.
• Outdoor lighting fixtures: Such as street lights, floodlights, landscape lights, etc.
• Special-purpose lighting fixtures: Such as stage lighting, emergency lighting, etc.

The standard applies to lighting fixtures powered by AC or DC with a supply voltage not exceeding 1000V, covering both traditional light sources and new LED light source products.

03 Core Test Items for Certification

IEC 60598 certification includes comprehensive and strict safety test requirements, mainly categorized into the following types:

Electrical Safety Testing

• Insulation Resistance Test: Tested using a 500V DC voltage; the insulation resistance should generally be at least 1 MΩ.
• Dielectric Strength Test: The lighting fixture must withstand a specified AC or DC voltage (e.g., 2U + 1000V, minimum 1500V) for 1 minute.
• Leakage Current Test: Measure the leakage current of the lighting fixture under normal operating conditions; it should generally not exceed 30 mA.
• Grounding Continuity Test: Tested with a 25A current; the grounding resistance should be ≤ 0.5 Ω.

Mechanical Safety Testing

• Drop Test: Simulate the dropping of the lighting fixture during transportation or accidental situations.
• Mechanical Shock Test: Simulate mechanical impacts (such as collisions) that the lighting fixture may be subjected to.
• Terminal Securety Test: Check whether the electrical connection terminals are secure.
• Protection Level Test: Conduct IP (Ingress Protection) dust and water resistance tests and IK (Impact Resistance) tests in accordance with the IEC 60529 standard.

Thermal Testing

• Operating Temperature Rise Test: Measure the temperature rise of each component of the lighting fixture during normal operation.
• Ball Pressure Test: Evaluate the heat resistance of the lighting fixture’s materials at high temperatures.
• Glow Wire Test: Evaluate the flame retardancy and fire safety of materials.

Photobiological Safety Testing

• Blue Light Hazard Assessment: Measure and assess the blue light radiation of the lighting fixture in accordance with the IEC 62471 standard.
• Ultraviolet Radiation Assessment: Detect whether the lighting fixture emits excessive ultraviolet radiation.

04 Certification Process and Steps

Obtaining IEC 60598 certification typically involves the following key steps:

1. Application and Document Preparation: Fill out the application form and prepare product technical documents and a list of models.
2. Sample Testing: Send samples to an accredited laboratory for comprehensive testing.
3. Evaluation and Review: The certification body evaluates the test results and reviews the product’s design, manufacturing, and control processes.
4. Certificate Issuance: After passing the testing and review, the certification body will issue the certification certificate.

The overall certification cycle is usually 3–4 weeks, with the specific duration depending on the complexity of the product and the number of test items.

05 Common Issues and Solutions

During the IEC 60598 certification process, enterprises often encounter the following problems:

• Uncertified Safety Components: For key components without certification, additional random testing is required, resulting in extra costs and time.
  • Solution: Prioritize selecting certified safety components; if unavailable, work with the certification partner to formulate a targeted testing plan in advance to avoid delays.
• Unreasonable Product Structure Design: The product design fails to meet standard requirements, necessitating structural adjustments and re-testing.
  • Solution: Involve certification technical experts in the early stages of product design to conduct pre-evaluation and ensure compliance with IEC 60598 requirements from the outset.
• Inadequate Factory Quality System: Failure to pass the initial factory inspection due to an incomplete quality management system.
  • Solution: With the assistance of the certification body, establish and improve a quality management system that meets certification requirements, and conduct mock inspections to identify and rectify gaps in advance.

Choosing an experienced certification partner can help enterprises identify potential issues early and provide effective solutions.

06 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Certification Partner

Selecting a suitable certification partner can help enterprises pass IEC 60598 certification efficiently:

• Technical Capability: Whether the partner has comprehensive testing equipment and an experienced technical team (e.g., familiarity with the latest revisions of IEC 60598 and edge test scenarios).
• Service Experience: Whether the partner is familiar with the special requirements and common pitfalls of lighting products (e.g., thermal design of LED fixtures, photobiological safety control).
• Global Network: Whether the partner can provide one-stop global certification services (e.g., converting IEC 60598-based CB certificates into local certifications such as UL, GS, and SAA).
• Local Support: Whether the partner can offer localized technical support and coordination for factory inspections (e.g., providing on-site guidance in the enterprise’s local language).

Professional certification bodies can provide enterprises with end-to-end services, from pre-consultation and test preparation to problem rectification and audit readiness, significantly improving the certification success rate.

After obtaining IEC 60598 certification, lighting enterprises can not only smoothly enter the global market but also enhance product competitiveness, strengthen consumer trust, and lay a solid foundation for brand internationalization.

Regular factory inspections and continuous compliance requirements ensure that products always meet standards, prompting enterprises to establish a sound quality management system and achieve continuous quality improvement.

For lighting manufacturers and traders, understanding and obtaining IEC 60598 certification means holding the key to unlocking the global market and taking a crucial step in the enterprise’s international layout. Choosing a professional certification partner can help enterprises complete the certification process more efficiently and quickly seize market opportunities.