A Practical Guide to Key Standards for Lamps and Related Equipment
- Valentina Bosenko
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Lighting technology and its underlying equipment have undergone rapid advancement in recent years, resulting in greater efficiency, smarter controls, and new modes of power transmission—like wireless charging. Adopting up-to-date international standards is crucial for businesses striving to ensure product safety, reliability, and seamless interoperability in the dynamic electrical engineering sector. In this guide, we examine two essential standards: SIST EN IEC 61347-1:2025 for controlgear safety and SIST EN IEC 63563-6:2026 for wireless power communication protocols. Together, these documents form a solid foundation for manufacturers, engineers, and stakeholders aiming to enhance quality, productivity, and market reach while staying ahead of regulatory and technological curves.
Overview / Introduction
Lighting and power transmission underpin virtually every corner of the modern built environment—from homes and offices to industrial facilities and public spaces. Reliable and safe operation of lamps, luminaires, and power supplies is therefore a priority both for manufacturers and for users. International standards, such as those developed by the IEC and adopted as European (EN) and national (SIST) standards, provide a harmonized framework to:
Specify minimum safety and performance requirements,
Enable compatibility and interoperability across products,
Facilitate regulatory compliance and market access.
The focus of this article is on two pivotal standards:
SIST EN IEC 61347-1:2025: General safety requirements for lamp controlgear, acting as a touchstone for product design, compliance, and certification across the lamp industry.
SIST EN IEC 63563-6:2026: Communications protocol requirements for wireless power (Qi version 2.0), crucial for manufacturers of smart, cordless devices and lighting chargers.
Whether you are a lighting designer, product manager, compliance officer, or maintenance engineer, understanding and implementing these standards helps businesses unlock benefits in productivity, security, operational scaling, and ongoing innovation.
Detailed Standards Coverage
SIST EN IEC 61347-1:2025 – Controlgear for Electric Light Sources – Safety – Part 1: General Requirements
Full Standard Title: Controlgear for Electric Light Sources – Safety – Part 1: General Requirements (IEC 61347-1:2024)
This comprehensive standard specifies the overarching safety requirements for electrical controlgear used with light sources, such as lamps and LEDs. Designed for devices operating on DC supplies up to 1,500 V or AC supplies up to 1,000 V (50 or 60 Hz), it’s a must-have for anyone designing, manufacturing, or working with lighting control equipment.
Scope and Application
The standard addresses:
General safety principles for all types of lamp controlgear
Construction and materials (including insulation, terminals, earthing, and clear separation between hazardous and non-hazardous parts)
Testing procedures for electrical strength, moisture resistance, heat, fire, mechanical stress, and more
Marking, identification, and information requirements to assist end users and inspectors
Key Requirements and Updates
Edition 4 brings a range of technical enhancements and clarifications over the previous releases:
Removal of outdated requirements for electromagnetic controlgear
Expanded provisions for control circuit insulation and corresponding markings
Merged and updated thermal test procedures for transformers
Revision of moisture resistance and fire hazard tests; clear specifications for printed circuit boards (PCBs)
Improved touch current, touch voltage, and isolation distances—particularly for safety-critical parts
Introduction of alternative DC strength testing and updated guidance for protection in PELV and emergency lighting applications
New procedures for touch current measurement, and better documentation on test sequencing and compliance pathways
Who Should Comply?
This standard is essential for:
Manufacturers and suppliers of lamp controlgear (including LED drivers, ballast, transformers, emergency lighting units)
Electrical design engineers and lighting OEMs
Certification bodies and regulatory agencies
Electrical contractors, installers, and maintainers
Practical Implications
Implementing SIST EN IEC 61347-1:2025 reduces product liability by minimizing risk of fire, electric shock, and mechanical hazards. It also accelerates certification and market entry, ensuring compatibility with regulatory expectations across Europe and beyond. The standard’s thorough test and marking regime streamlines production and quality assurance—leading to fewer field failures, better reputational trust, and increased operational productivity.
Key highlights:
Comprehensive safety coverage for all lamp controlgear on DC and AC supplies
Clear, updated protocols for insulation, earthing, thermal, and fire testing
Built-in support for emergency and PELV applications, touch current safety, and PCB fire resistance
Access the full standard: View SIST EN IEC 61347-1:2025 on iTeh Standards
SIST EN IEC 63563-6:2026 – Qi Specification Version 2.0 – Part 6: Communications Protocol
Full Standard Title: Qi Specification Version 2.0 – Part 6: Communications Protocol (IEC 63563-6:2025)
As cordless charging and embedded wireless power applications continue to proliferate, clear and robust communication between transmitters (chargers) and receivers (devices) becomes critical. SIST EN IEC 63563-6:2026 adapts the Qi Wireless Power Consortium’s Version 2.0: it defines how these devices negotiate, initiate, and manage wireless power transfer safely and efficiently, while also enabling strong authentication, backward compatibility, and foreign object detection (FOD).
Scope and Application
The protocol governs messaging between the Power Transmitter and Power Receiverin wireless setups—including not only setup and control of power transfer, but also overlay applications (such as authentication and proprietary messaging).
Key Requirements and Specifications
Mandatory order and timing for message exchanges: Helps devices quickly identify each other, agree upon parameters, prevent errors, and manage ongoing power delivery
Support for both “Baseline” and “Extended” protocols: Ensures broad compatibility, with advanced features such as bi-directional messaging, power level negotiation, and real-time adjustments in the face of variable loads or temperatures
Detailed definition of data packet types, handshake processes (including ping/configuration/negotiation/power transfer phases), and precise transition states
Embedded mechanisms for FOD and NFC tag protection: Critical for safe operation around metallic objects and sensitive data assets
Supports streaming high-level data, such as authentication credentials, over the same wireless link—boosting cyber-physical security
Fully aligned with the latest EMC, safety, and quality assurance requirements across Europe and many international markets
Who Should Comply?
Designers and manufacturers of wireless power transmitters and receivers for consumer electronics, industrial IoT, medical devices, smart home, lighting, and more
System integrators seeking plug-and-play interoperability across brands and product lines
QA engineers, R&D specialists and patent teams—especially those integrating Qi charging in lamps and related electrical equipment
Regulatory agencies and test labs involved in validating wireless systems
Practical Implications
Organizations implementing this protocol can guarantee robust device compatibility, minimize charging errors, and address emerging security concerns. User experience is elevated (faster pairing and charge times, better feedback for error cases), and the technology easily scales—from mobile phone chargers to industrial lighting controls—without complex custom coding.
Key highlights:
Defines clear, futureproofed messaging and timing between transmitter and receiver
Enables negotiation of power levels and advanced safety features like foreign object detection and NFC tag protection
Provides the foundation for secure, scalable, and user-friendly wireless charging in lighting and other electrical equipment
Access the full standard: View SIST EN IEC 63563-6:2026 on iTeh Standards
Industry Impact & Compliance
Why Standards Matter in Lamps and Related Equipment
The rapid pace of innovation in electrical and lighting systems creates opportunities—and risks. Standards like SIST EN IEC 61347-1:2025 and SIST EN IEC 63563-6:2026bridge this gap, offering the following:
Regulatory compliance: Align with EU, national, and international rules, reducing legal and financial risk.
Market access: Meet the requirements of global buyers, certification bodies, and industry partners, accelerating entry into lucrative markets.
Customer trust and reputation: Demonstrate commitment to safety and interoperability; reduce recalls and liability.
Operational productivity: Consistent specification and testing reduce product defects and field failures.
Efficiency and scalability: Standardized design and communication protocols streamline interoperability, future-proof product lines, and enable more rapid scaling to new markets and platforms.
Compliance Considerations
Businesses should approach compliance with these standards as an integral part of product development and lifecycle management. This means:
Integrating standard requirements early in design and engineering
Establishing robust supplier and quality management systems
Regularly auditing and updating internal procedures in response to new editions or technical changes
Documenting compliance for certification and customer assurance
Risks of Non-Compliance
Fines, forced recalls, or ban from key markets
Increased product liability and insurance costs
Loss of customer trust
Higher operational costs due to field failures and post-sale support
Barriers in adopting new technologies or markets due to incompatible legacy systems
Implementation Guidance
Common Approaches
Gap Analysis: Begin by comparing current products and processes to the requirements laid out in SIST EN IEC 61347-1:2025 and SIST EN IEC 63563-6:2026.
Staff Training: Train engineering, production, QA, and compliance teams on the specifics of both standards.
Supplier Engagement: Ensure that component suppliers also comply with the relevant requirements (e.g., insulation, marking, or wireless module conformity).
Testing and Quality Assurance: Use the test methods and sequences prescribed in the standards to validate prototypes and production units before market release.
Documentation and Traceability: Maintain comprehensive records, including test reports, certification marks, batch numbers, and user instructions.
Continuous Improvement: Monitor for standard revisions and regulatory updates, and adapt processes quickly to maintain compliance.
Best Practices
Integrate compliance checks in early design reviews to reduce costly rework.
Leverage standardized components and reference designs that are pre-certified where possible.
Engage external certification bodies for impartial pre-market assessment.
Use the iTeh Standards platform to access the most up-to-date documentation and guidance.
Resources for Organizations
Standards providers like iTeh Standards offer direct access to official documents and updates.
Industry associations and technical committees can provide further best practices, FAQs, and peer support.
Regulatory databases and market surveillance bulletins to track enforcement trends.
Conclusion / Next Steps
Key Takeaways
SIST EN IEC 61347-1:2025 empowers manufacturers, engineers, and installers to assure the electrical safety and consistent quality of lamp controlgear—reducing accidents and improving product performance.
SIST EN IEC 63563-6:2026 enables future-proof wireless power integration, advancing seamless, secure, and user-friendly interactions in lighting, consumer electronics, and industrial applications.
Proactive adoption of these standards streamlines compliance, minimizes risk, and unlocks innovation opportunities across the lighting and electrical equipment sector.
Recommendations
Assess your current compliance gaps: Identify where your processes and products stand in relation to the latest standard editions.
Integrate standards thinking throughout the lifecycle: From design and development to supply chain and support, align teams around standardized best practices.
Leverage official resources: Use platforms like iTeh Standards to obtain authoritative documents, track updates, and support your certification and market access goals.
Stay engaged with the regulatory landscape: Regularly review standards revisions, emerging technologies, and market requirements to maintain a competitive edge.
Embrace a standards-focused strategy to ensure your lamps, lighting controls, and wireless power products are safer, more reliable, and fully market-ready. For more detailed specifications, procedural guidance, or to purchase the latest documents, explore the standards linked below.
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