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EL Mark Certification for Emergency Lighting | IEC/EN 61347-2-13 Full Guide
1. Introduction
Emergency lighting systems play a critical role in building safety. Once the main power supply fails, the system must activate within a specified time and deliver continuous illumination to ensure safe evacuation. As the core component of emergency lighting fixtures, LED control units directly determine overall system reliability during emergency mode.
The EL Mark (Emergency Lighting Mark) is a specialized certification for emergency lighting equipment. It verifies compliance with emergency functional requirements specified in Appendix J of IEC 61347-2-13 and EN 61347-2-13, serving as an essential technical credential for accessing the European and global markets.
2. Product Scope of EL Mark Certification
EL Mark covers a full range of emergency lighting products:
表格
| Product Category | Typical Products |
|---|---|
| LED Power Supplies | LED control gears for emergency lighting, programmable emergency drivers |
| Emergency Luminaires | Fire evacuation indicator lights, safety exit signs, emergency lighting fixtures |
| Central Emergency Systems | Central battery systems, centralized emergency power supplies, emergency lighting controllers |
| Self-contained Emergency Devices | Battery-backed emergency lights and supporting components |
3. Applicable Standards
EL Mark certification is based on the latest IEC and EN international standards:
表格
| Standard Number | Standard Title | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| IEC 61347-2-13:2024 | Lamp controlgear — Part 2-13: Particular requirements for DC or AC electronic control gears for LED modules | 3rd Edition, Appendix J defines core EL emergency requirements |
| EN 61347-2-13:2024 | Identical to IEC standard (European adoption version) | Harmonized standard for EU market access |
| IEC 60598-2-22 | Luminaires — Part 2-22: Particular requirements for emergency lighting | Full luminaire safety specifications |
| EN 60598-2-22 | Identical to IEC standard (European adoption version) | Mandatory for emergency lamps sold in Europe |
Key Updates of IEC 61347-2-13:2024
Compared with the 2014 2nd edition, the 2024 3rd edition includes major revisions:
- Structural alignment with the 4th edition of IEC 61347-1
- DC supply voltage coverage extended to 1500V
- Updated marking rules for LED electronic control gears
- Supplementary clauses for constant-output and programmable current drivers
- New Chapter 17: revised measurement methods for operating output voltage
- New Chapter 18: testing requirements for rated output characteristics
4. Core Test Items
EL Mark focuses on emergency performance, safety and EMC reliability:
表格
| Test Item | Description |
|---|---|
| EOFx (Emergency Output Factor) Test | Measure output current at 5s and 60s after switching to battery power to verify emergency output capacity |
| DC Input Compatibility Test | Verify stable operation under battery DC power supply |
| Switching Response Time | Confirm emergency mode startup meets standard timing limits after mains failure |
| Emergency Duration Test | Validate battery backup runtime matches declared parameters |
| Electrical Safety Test | Insulation resistance, dielectric strength, leakage current, temperature rise, etc. |
| EMC Compliance Test | Tested per EN 55015, EN 61547 and related directives |
EOFx Core Technical Interpretation
EOFx (Emergency Output Factor) is the core evaluation parameter of EL Mark:
- Definition: Evaluates LED driver output performance under battery-powered emergency mode
- Critical Rule: At maximum emergency voltage, the 5s output shall not be less than 50% of the 60s declared EOFx value
- Practical Value: Avoids dark startup zones and insufficient long-term emergency brightness
- Application Trend: Programmable EOFx allows flexible configuration between brightness duration and power output for different scenarios
DC Input Requirements
Emergency lighting relies on backup battery systems. EL-certified LED control gears support direct DC input for central battery units or built-in batteries, eliminating extra AC-DC conversion modules. Most products support wide voltage ranges: 176V–276V DC or 198V–264V AC, compatible with mainstream central emergency power systems.
5. EL Mark Certification Process
表格
| Stage | Work Content | Estimated Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application & Document Review | Submit specifications, schematics, BOM; conduct feasibility evaluation | 1–2 weeks |
| 2. Pre-test & Rectification | Targeted pre-testing to optimize non-compliant items | 2–4 weeks |
| 3. Type Testing | Full standard testing at CNAS accredited laboratories | 4–6 weeks |
| 4. Factory Audit | Initial manufacturing site review for production consistency (conditional exemption) | 2–4 weeks |
| 5. Certification & Supervision | Certificate issuance and annual surveillance audit | 1–2 weeks |
Overall Cycle: 8–12 weeks, depending on product complexity and rectification progress.
Factory Inspection Exemption Rule
- Manufacturers with valid ISO 9001 certification covering the product scope are generally exempt from initial factory audits
- Factories without ISO 9001 qualification must complete on-site audits to verify quality control and production consistency
6. EL Mark vs CE / CCC Certification
表格
| Certification | Nature | Target Market | Correlation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EL Mark | Voluntary third-party certification | Europe & Global Markets | Proves compliance with EN 61347-2-13 Appendix J emergency requirements |
| CE Mark | Mandatory | European Union | EL Mark standards are recognized EU harmonized standards for CE filing |
| CCC Certification | Mandatory | China | Based on GB 17945-2024, independent from EL standards and requires separate application |
Standard Update Notice
China’s national standard GB/T 19510.213-2023 was released on December 28, 2023, and will officially replace GB 19510.14-2009 on January 1, 2026. Adopting IEC 61347-2-13, it requires attention for dual domestic and export compliance planning.
7. FAQ
Q1: Is factory inspection mandatory for LED control gear EL Mark certification?A: It depends on the manufacturer’s quality system. Valid ISO 9001 qualification covering related product categories can exempt factory audits; non-certified enterprises need to complete on-site inspections.
Q2: Is the EL Mark valid across the EU?A: Yes. EL Mark (under the ENEC system) is recognized in all EU and EFTA member states, with no need for repeated country-level certification.
Q3: Is programmable EOFx a mandatory requirement?A: No. It is an optional advanced function. Products with fixed EOFx parameters can also obtain EL Mark certification as long as they meet standard performance limits.
8. Conclusion
EL Mark certification is the key technical threshold for emergency lighting and LED control gears entering the European market. Centered on IEC/EN 61347-2-13 Appendix J, it verifies core indicators including EOFx performance, DC input adaptability and power switching stability.
Manufacturers are advised to:
- Consider EOFx compliance in early product design
- Adopt key components with international certification
- Evaluate factory audit exemptions based on ISO 9001 qualifications
- Track technical upgrades of IEC 61347-2-13:2024
This article is compiled based on public standard documents of IEC 61347-2-13:2024 and EN 61347-2-13:2024 for reference only. Final certification requirements shall comply with the latest official regulations of certification bodies.
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