FprEN 18151

Refrigerators and freezers for laboratory and medical applications - Terminology, requirements, testing FprEN 18151

Publication date:   Jan 8, 2026

Scope

This document specifies terminology, requirements and test methods for electrically operated medical refrigerating appliances as defined in 3.2 intended for the cold storage of blood components, biological specimen, vaccines, medicines, reagents, or other laboratory preparations used in medical practice and research.
This document applies to medical refrigerating appliances equipped with a remote or integrated compression-type refrigerating system.
This document covers construction characteristics relevant for the thermal and energy performance.
This document covers characteristics of LN2 cryogenic freezers but does not provide test methods.
This document does not cover hygienic and safety aspects and ergonomic principles.
NOTE Examples of standards for safety requirements applicable to medical refrigerating appliances are EN IEC 60335-1 and EN IEC 60335-2-89 or EN 61010-1 and EN IEC 61010-2-011.
This document is not applicable to:
- refrigerated incubators;
- refrigerated cells and refrigerated containers > 2 000 l;
- equipment that rely only on passive cooling;
- appliances for which the primary function is other than cold storage;
- appliances intended for short term storage;
- appliances intended for fully or partially off-grid operation.