IEC 60598: The Global Safety Standard for Lighting Products

The IEC 60598 standard, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), is the starting point for lighting products going global.It defines the international common language for luminaire safety and forms the foundation for national lighting safety regulations adopted by nearly all countries and regions worldwide.

This report is not only a design guide for product safety but also a technical passport for manufacturers to enter overseas markets.

01 Why IEC 60598 Is the Global Common Language for Lighting Safety

IEC 60598 is the IEC’s general requirements standard for luminaire safety, establishing a unified safety evaluation system for all luminaires operating at supply voltages up to 1000V.

Unmatched Global Recognition

Test reports based on IEC 60598 are widely accepted by more than 60 IEC member countries and global markets. With one complete IEC 60598 test report, manufacturers can efficiently convert it into national certifications such as EU CE (EN standards), Australia SAA, CB Scheme reports, and more — achieving “one test, multi-country access” and drastically saving time and cost.

Comprehensive Safety Design Framework

The standard systematically specifies requirements covering protection against electric shock, mechanical structure, electrical strength, fire resistance, heat resistance, and overall safety performance — ensuring potential risks are eliminated from the design stage.

The latest edition, IEC 60598-1:2024, published in November 2024, introduces updated requirements for battery-powered luminaires, magnetic mounting, photobiological safety, and other emerging technologies, continuously leading industry safety upgrades.

02 Scope: Which Lighting Products Need IEC 60598 Testing?

IEC 60598 is a comprehensive standard system consisting of Part 1 (General Requirements) and Part 2 (Particular Requirements) for specific luminaire types. Nearly all indoor and outdoor lighting products fall within its scope.

The key is to select the correct combination of General Requirements + Particular Requirements. Below is a clear overview for mainstream categories:

Important Note:The standard applies to all light sources, including incandescent, fluorescent, and modern LED lighting.

03 Key Tests Under IEC 60598

A complete IEC 60598 report requires a rigorous, multi-dimensional safety evaluation covering:

Electrical Safety (Foundation)

• Earth continuity test (typically ≤ 0.1 Ω)
• Insulation resistance test (≥ 2 MΩ)
• Electric strength (withstand voltage) test: e.g., 2 × operating voltage + 1000V for 1 minute, no breakdown
• Creepage distances and clearances measurement

Mechanical & Structural Safety

• Impact resistance of housing
• Protection against access to live parts
• Terminals and cord anchorage (pull force test)

Environmental & Endurance Testing

• IP rating (dust and water protection)
• Endurance (long-duration operation simulation)
• Temperature rise test to prevent overheating and fire risks

Modern & Specialized Safety

• Photobiological safety (blue light hazard assessment)
• Additional evaluation for battery-powered, wireless charging, and smart luminaires

04 Process, Timeline & Cost: Practical Guide

Obtaining an authoritative IEC 60598 report follows a standardized professional process. Partnering with a professional organization such as GTG Group ensures clarity and efficiency.

Standard 5-Step Process

1. Application & Evaluation: Submit product information to confirm applicable standards (e.g., IEC 60598-1:2024 + Part 2‑X).
2. Sample & Document Preparation: Send complete samples and prepare schematics, manuals, BOM, etc.
3. Full Laboratory Testing: Perform complete safety testing per IEC 60598.
4. Report Compilation & Review: Finalize detailed bilingual test report.
5. Report Issuance & Support: Issue official report and support conversion to CB, CE, and other global certifications.

Timeline & Cost

• Typical Timeline: 5–7 working days (with complete samples and documents); longer for complex products or corrections.
• Cost: Depends on product complexity, standard edition, and test scope. Basic fixed luminaires start from several thousand RMB.
• Sample Requirement: 2–3 complete, functional finished products to cover destructive and non-destructive tests.

05 Why Choose GTG Group: Your One-Stop Global Compliance Partner

Against rapidly evolving international standards and complex market access rules, GTG Group delivers professional, efficient, and reliable support:

• Expert Pre-Compliance Review: Senior engineers provide design-stage evaluation to avoid compliance risks and reduce rework cost.
• One-Stop Global Certification: Convert a single IEC 60598 report into EU CE, North America NRTL, Australia SAA, Middle East & Africa COC, and more.
• Real-Time Standard Updates: We monitor IEC 60598-1:2024 and latest revisions, ensuring your products always meet the newest safety requirements.

In today’s competitive global lighting market, an IEC 60598 test report to the latest edition has evolved from a “bonus” to a mandatory market entry ticket. It is authoritative proof of safety, technical capability, forward-thinking, and commitment to global consumers.

06 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between IEC 60598 report, CB report, and CE-LVD report?

A1: They are closely related but serve different scopes:

• IEC 60598 Report: Technical test report based on international IEC standards.
• CB Report: Internationally recognized under the CB Scheme, usually based on IEC 60598.
• CE-LVD Report: Based on EN 60598 (harmonized with IEC), for EU Low Voltage Directive compliance.

A valid IEC 60598 report can serve as the core basis for both CB and CE certification.

Q2: Must I test to the latest IEC 60598-1:2024 edition?

A2: It depends on your target market. Most countries adopt new editions with a transition period. For new projects or key markets, we strongly recommend testing to IEC 60598-1:2024 to ensure long validity and avoid future retesting.

Q3: Are there special requirements for battery-powered or wireless charging luminaires?

A3: Yes. IEC 60598-1:2024 adds specific requirements for marking, structure, charge/discharge protection, and fault testing for battery-powered luminaires. For wireless charging modules, additional assessment may apply under IEC 62368 (audio/video, IT equipment safety). Full disclosure of functions during consultation is critical.

Q4: How to prepare the BOM, and do components need certification?

A4: The BOM must list safety-critical parts: LED drivers, wires, plugs, sockets, insulation materials, LED modules, etc., with brand, model, and certification details.We strongly recommend key components (especially drivers) have international certifications (CB, UL, ENEC, etc.) to simplify luminaire testing and demonstrate supply chain quality control.