IEC 60598-1:2024 (Edition 10) Published: 4 Critical Changes for LED Lighting Manufacturers

On November 6, 2024, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) officially released the 10th edition of the general safety standard for luminaires, IEC 60598-1:2024. This new edition introduces substantial changes to the structural design, safety assessment, and certification compliance of LED luminaires. Subsequently, the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) published the harmonized European version, EN IEC 60598-1:2024+A11:2024 (including European national deviations), on December 20, 2024.

The new standard will come into effect on December 31, 2025. Certificates issued under the previous version, EN IEC 60598-1:2021+A11:2022, must be updated by December 31, 2027, at the latest. Compared to the 2020 edition, this new version features significant changes in structure, clause numbering, and technical requirements.

Below, we break down the four core changes that exporters of lighting products must prioritize.

01 New Dedicated Requirements for Battery-Powered Luminaires (New Clause 4.3.4 + Appendix W)

With the increasing prevalence of products containing batteries—such as emergency lighting, portable LED work lights, and solar-powered luminaires—the new standard systematically introduces safety requirements for batteries and EDLCs (Electric Double-Layer Capacitors) for the first time:

• Lithium-ion cells must comply with IEC 62133-2.

• Battery packs containing lithium-ion cells do not need to separately comply with IEC 62391-1 and IEC 62391-2.

• EDLCs must comply with IEC 62391-1 and IEC 62391-2.

• Appendix W introduces comprehensive requirements for battery-powered luminaires, covering labeling, instructions, structural and mechanical testing, short-circuit protection, charging tests, over-voltage protection, and fault protection.

Affected products: Emergency lighting, portable rechargeable LED lights, solar-powered LED lights, lighting units with backup batteries, etc. If your luminaire contains a built-in battery, this update requires priority assessment during the transition.

02 Updated Photobiological Safety Assessment Standard (Amendments to Clauses 6.3.22 and 7.24)

The reference standard for photobiological safety assessment has been upgraded from the previous version to IEC 62471-7:2023. Blue-light hazard assessment can be conducted either by referencing the methodology in IEC TR 62778, or by performing a more comprehensive photobiological safety test according to IEC 62471-7:2023.

• IEC TR 62778 focuses on blue-light hazard risk assessment and is suitable for most general lighting products.

• IEC 62471-7:2023 is a full international standard with more detailed requirements; it is recommended for high-intensity light sources such as plant-growing lights and high-bay industrial luminaires.

This means products like plant lights, high-bay luminaires, and panel lights must re-evaluate their photobiological safety classification and clearly mark the rating on labels and in instruction manuals.

03 Magnetic-Mounting Luminaires Now Regulated (Amendments to Clause 7.14.1 and Table 22)

The new standard formally introduces requirements for magnetic-mounting installations. Luminaires that are installed using magnetic attachment (e.g., magnetic track lights, under-cabinet lights) must have their magnetic mounting system meet the mechanical strength and reliability requirements stipulated by the standard.

04 Increased Switch Durability Requirements (Amendment to Clause 7.8)

Mechanical switches must now pass 10,000 cycle tests. Exemptions apply to switches operating in ELV (Extra Low Voltage) circuits with power below 15W and current below 0.5A. Manufacturers of luminaires with manual switches must verify whether the selected switch model meets the new durability requirements.

Impact on Different Market Certifications

• Australia: AS/NZS 60598.1:2025 was published on March 14, 2025, with a 36-month transition period; mandatory enforcement begins March 14, 2028.

• CE-LVD: Transition timeline follows the CENELEC Date of Publication (DOP: 2025-12-31) and Date of Withdrawal (DOW: 2027-12-31).

• Japan PSE: Transition timeline is based on METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) announcement; certificates under the 2015 edition expire on August 30, 2025.

05 What Should Your Company Do Now?

• Audit your product portfolio: Identify all luminaire models with built-in batteries, magnetic mounts, and mechanical switches—prioritize assessing their compliance with the new requirements.

• Plan ahead for CB Test Reports: Since IEC 60598-1:2024 is already in effect, obtaining a CB Test Report is one of the most cost-effective and efficient pathways to meet new requirements across multiple markets simultaneously.

• Focus on photobiological safety: Plant-growing lights and high-power luminaires must be re-evaluated according to IEC 62471-7:2023.

• Plan your transition timeline: The final expiry date for old CE-LVD certificates is December 31, 2027. With certification body schedules, sample testing, and potential re-engineering work, early planning is strongly advised.

• Act early to mitigate market access risks and ensure a smooth transition.

GTG Lighting Division will continue to monitor regulatory updates and provide professional compliance support for lighting manufacturers. For further details or certification inquiries, please contact us.